Don't read if you have high blood pressure....
02-20-13, 03:15 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,866
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
The comments are NOT supporting her at all... in fact one comment even went on to note how much more intelligent the commentors were over the original rant.
Sounds like she happened to have a bad day in traffic and was just looking for a scapegoat... too bad she failed to notice all the cars in her way.
Sounds like she happened to have a bad day in traffic and was just looking for a scapegoat... too bad she failed to notice all the cars in her way.
02-20-13, 06:01 PM
#28
Cycle Year Round
02-20-13, 06:22 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago, the leafy NW side
Posts: 2,479
Bikes: 1974 Motobecane Grand Record, 1987 Miyata Pro, 1988 Bob Jackson Lady Mixte (wife's), others in the family
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 155 Times
in
79 Posts
02-20-13, 06:31 PM
#30
Slob
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 497
Bikes: 1970s AMF Roadmaster 3 speed, Bianchi Volpe, 2012 GT Zum City
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-20-13, 06:58 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
02-20-13, 07:15 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Sequim, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula
Posts: 438
Bikes: Co-Motion Mocha, Fuji touring, Trex hybrid, Bike Friday Tandem Traveler
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I wonder if she has responded to the negative comments? Better yet, has she considered one of the offers to take her riding on a bike?
02-20-13, 08:51 PM
#33
Βanned.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 620
Bikes: 1976 Dawes Galaxy, 1993 Trek 950 Single Track and Made-to-Measure Reynolds 753 road bike with Campag throughout.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bimbo
... The weight of a car can be 4,000 pounds and a car can reach speeds well over 100 mph
Originally Posted by Bimbo
... and an average rider can only go about 20 mph
The above is most of the second paragraph. I think maybe she has reached menopause.
__________________
LOL The End is Nigh (for 80% of middle class North Americans) - I sneer in their general direction.
LOL The End is Nigh (for 80% of middle class North Americans) - I sneer in their general direction.
02-21-13, 08:25 AM
#35
Senior Member
This is my responce on her blog.
"I’ve even been shocked while waiting for a light to turn green to see bicyclists whizzing by my window navigating between cars. Apparently they don’t have to wait for the light to actually turn green if they decide that there are no cars coming."
This is arrogant and irresponsible. I commute by bike daily and do not engage in these a-holish behaviors. In using this as an example of what is wrong with people like me, and ignoring the fact that many who drive cars also engage in boorish behavior, your point fails to have any merit.
This is arrogant and irresponsible. I commute by bike daily and do not engage in these a-holish behaviors. In using this as an example of what is wrong with people like me, and ignoring the fact that many who drive cars also engage in boorish behavior, your point fails to have any merit.
02-21-13, 09:17 AM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 794
Bikes: Trek 7.3FX, Diamondback Edgewood hybrid, KHS Montana
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The only reason I would ever accept any sort of bike licensing scheme is to raise a middle finger to folks like her... to say "look I have your freakin' license, now f off."
The reality is that my motor vehicle drivers license IS a legal license to drive, and should be plenty sufficient for driving a bike.
The reality is that my motor vehicle drivers license IS a legal license to drive, and should be plenty sufficient for driving a bike.
02-21-13, 12:01 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I have a license. It says Road:3; CX:4; Track:5.
02-21-13, 02:11 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 705
Bikes: Bianchi circa late 1980s, Surly Cross Check, Kona Blast
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Best reply -
Miguel Corona:
Hey Melissa, I edited it a bit for you:
Whenever I am stuck in traffic, I always assume the cause is too many cars. As I pass by any string of cars while riding in the bike lane, I empathize with the potential victims who have to breathe in their smog and try to keep a calm head out of respect. But recently, I realized the nearly stand still traffic was being caused by an SOV (single occupant vehicle-no passengers, no cargo) and my blood boiled.
I will honestly say that I do believe in sharing the road. The weight of a car can be 4,000 pounds and a car can reach speeds well over 100 mph, though it is illegal to do so on any public road in the US. Furthermore, cars can carry at least two people, though this is rarely practiced. In contrast, the average bicycle weighs about 30 pounds and an average rider can only go about 20 mph and takes up a fraction of the space of a car while producing none of the emissions or wear and tear on the roadway. As many as six bikes can effectively ride in a group and take up the same space as one driver in a large truck or SUV. Thus, the driver of a car assumes far greater responsibility when getting behind the wheel and should always keep this in mind.
But somehow we have decided that the way to coexist is to travel the same roads together in harmony. However, the burden of traveling safely together ultimately depends on the driver using common courtesy, patience, and basic skills necessary for living in a society that encourages diversity and tolerance.
Often, I see an SOV merge into existing traffic and block a lane while signaling impatiently for us to slow down as if we “bike people” are the problem. And if you come up on a pack of SOVs, it is even worse since they have no problem driving side by side, each taking up an entire lane!
I’ve even been shocked while waiting for a light to turn green to see SOVs whizzing through stale yellow or even red lights. Apparently they don’t have to stop and wait for the light to actually turn green if they decide they can floor it and run the light.
Once, I saw an SOV who did decide to wait on the light actually leave their car idling until the light turned green. I fought the urge to knock on their window and explain that I did not appreciate breathing the disgusting fumes from their car and doing this so they didn't have to experience the slight inconvenience of public transportation or carpooling was not part of our deal.
This arrogance increases threefold if an SOV is “customized” or "oversized" Apparently, a car that has an extra logo or two on it along with the modifications to make it bigger, faster, or more flashy translates to some extra level of ownership of the asphalt. Sometimes they seem to be tempting someone to hit them.
It does not look like Atlanta will ever create enough public transportation to get SOVs off the main roads. But I do believe there is a solution that would at least make me feel like everyone were being treated a little more fairly.
I want everyone who wants to drive solo on the main road to get a special license and a tag. That certainly isn’t a new idea. Similar efforts have taken place all over the country with HOV and carpool lanes, along with campaigns to promote public transportation, and this is the logical next step. It would also mandate more awareness of the world we live in for everyone.
To pay for the new SOV-specific licensing and the enforcement, the measure would require SOVs to take an awareness class and pay a fee for registration via a special license plate for all SOVs.
By having special license plates on SOVs, the hope is that this would lead to more responsible behavior and make it easier to hold drivers accountable for their actions.
At least if I were behind an SOV with a special license plate, I would know that my extra ten minutes in traffic were the result of some ignorance on the part of the driver and not just a flippant disregard for all the other tax paying citizens on the road who are doing their best to conserve resources.
To truly share the road and this earth, we must all share the responsibility and accountability for the decisions we make.
Miguel Corona:
Hey Melissa, I edited it a bit for you:
Whenever I am stuck in traffic, I always assume the cause is too many cars. As I pass by any string of cars while riding in the bike lane, I empathize with the potential victims who have to breathe in their smog and try to keep a calm head out of respect. But recently, I realized the nearly stand still traffic was being caused by an SOV (single occupant vehicle-no passengers, no cargo) and my blood boiled.
I will honestly say that I do believe in sharing the road. The weight of a car can be 4,000 pounds and a car can reach speeds well over 100 mph, though it is illegal to do so on any public road in the US. Furthermore, cars can carry at least two people, though this is rarely practiced. In contrast, the average bicycle weighs about 30 pounds and an average rider can only go about 20 mph and takes up a fraction of the space of a car while producing none of the emissions or wear and tear on the roadway. As many as six bikes can effectively ride in a group and take up the same space as one driver in a large truck or SUV. Thus, the driver of a car assumes far greater responsibility when getting behind the wheel and should always keep this in mind.
But somehow we have decided that the way to coexist is to travel the same roads together in harmony. However, the burden of traveling safely together ultimately depends on the driver using common courtesy, patience, and basic skills necessary for living in a society that encourages diversity and tolerance.
Often, I see an SOV merge into existing traffic and block a lane while signaling impatiently for us to slow down as if we “bike people” are the problem. And if you come up on a pack of SOVs, it is even worse since they have no problem driving side by side, each taking up an entire lane!
I’ve even been shocked while waiting for a light to turn green to see SOVs whizzing through stale yellow or even red lights. Apparently they don’t have to stop and wait for the light to actually turn green if they decide they can floor it and run the light.
Once, I saw an SOV who did decide to wait on the light actually leave their car idling until the light turned green. I fought the urge to knock on their window and explain that I did not appreciate breathing the disgusting fumes from their car and doing this so they didn't have to experience the slight inconvenience of public transportation or carpooling was not part of our deal.
This arrogance increases threefold if an SOV is “customized” or "oversized" Apparently, a car that has an extra logo or two on it along with the modifications to make it bigger, faster, or more flashy translates to some extra level of ownership of the asphalt. Sometimes they seem to be tempting someone to hit them.
It does not look like Atlanta will ever create enough public transportation to get SOVs off the main roads. But I do believe there is a solution that would at least make me feel like everyone were being treated a little more fairly.
I want everyone who wants to drive solo on the main road to get a special license and a tag. That certainly isn’t a new idea. Similar efforts have taken place all over the country with HOV and carpool lanes, along with campaigns to promote public transportation, and this is the logical next step. It would also mandate more awareness of the world we live in for everyone.
To pay for the new SOV-specific licensing and the enforcement, the measure would require SOVs to take an awareness class and pay a fee for registration via a special license plate for all SOVs.
By having special license plates on SOVs, the hope is that this would lead to more responsible behavior and make it easier to hold drivers accountable for their actions.
At least if I were behind an SOV with a special license plate, I would know that my extra ten minutes in traffic were the result of some ignorance on the part of the driver and not just a flippant disregard for all the other tax paying citizens on the road who are doing their best to conserve resources.
To truly share the road and this earth, we must all share the responsibility and accountability for the decisions we make.
02-22-13, 12:02 AM
#40
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ogopogo's shoreline
Posts: 4,082
Bikes: LHT, Kona Smoke
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
What a lovely little blonde hater.
Who wants to bet that while piloting her global warming machine, she has a cellphone stuck to her noggin?
Who wants to bet that while piloting her global warming machine, she has a cellphone stuck to her noggin?
02-22-13, 08:56 AM
#41
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
Best reply -
Miguel Corona:
Hey Melissa, I edited it a bit for you:
Whenever I am stuck in traffic, I always assume the cause is too many cars. As I pass by any string of cars while riding in the bike lane, I empathize with the potential victims who have to breathe in their smog and try to keep a calm head out of respect. But recently, I realized the nearly stand still traffic was being caused by an SOV (single occupant vehicle-no passengers, no cargo) and my blood boiled.
I will honestly say that I do believe in sharing the road. The weight of a car can be 4,000 pounds and a car can reach speeds well over 100 mph, though it is illegal to do so on any public road in the US. Furthermore, cars can carry at least two people, though this is rarely practiced. In contrast, the average bicycle weighs about 30 pounds and an average rider can only go about 20 mph and takes up a fraction of the space of a car while producing none of the emissions or wear and tear on the roadway. As many as six bikes can effectively ride in a group and take up the same space as one driver in a large truck or SUV. Thus, the driver of a car assumes far greater responsibility when getting behind the wheel and should always keep this in mind.
But somehow we have decided that the way to coexist is to travel the same roads together in harmony. However, the burden of traveling safely together ultimately depends on the driver using common courtesy, patience, and basic skills necessary for living in a society that encourages diversity and tolerance.
Often, I see an SOV merge into existing traffic and block a lane while signaling impatiently for us to slow down as if we “bike people” are the problem. And if you come up on a pack of SOVs, it is even worse since they have no problem driving side by side, each taking up an entire lane!
I’ve even been shocked while waiting for a light to turn green to see SOVs whizzing through stale yellow or even red lights. Apparently they don’t have to stop and wait for the light to actually turn green if they decide they can floor it and run the light.
Once, I saw an SOV who did decide to wait on the light actually leave their car idling until the light turned green. I fought the urge to knock on their window and explain that I did not appreciate breathing the disgusting fumes from their car and doing this so they didn't have to experience the slight inconvenience of public transportation or carpooling was not part of our deal.
This arrogance increases threefold if an SOV is “customized” or "oversized" Apparently, a car that has an extra logo or two on it along with the modifications to make it bigger, faster, or more flashy translates to some extra level of ownership of the asphalt. Sometimes they seem to be tempting someone to hit them.
It does not look like Atlanta will ever create enough public transportation to get SOVs off the main roads. But I do believe there is a solution that would at least make me feel like everyone were being treated a little more fairly.
I want everyone who wants to drive solo on the main road to get a special license and a tag. That certainly isn’t a new idea. Similar efforts have taken place all over the country with HOV and carpool lanes, along with campaigns to promote public transportation, and this is the logical next step. It would also mandate more awareness of the world we live in for everyone.
To pay for the new SOV-specific licensing and the enforcement, the measure would require SOVs to take an awareness class and pay a fee for registration via a special license plate for all SOVs.
By having special license plates on SOVs, the hope is that this would lead to more responsible behavior and make it easier to hold drivers accountable for their actions.
At least if I were behind an SOV with a special license plate, I would know that my extra ten minutes in traffic were the result of some ignorance on the part of the driver and not just a flippant disregard for all the other tax paying citizens on the road who are doing their best to conserve resources.
To truly share the road and this earth, we must all share the responsibility and accountability for the decisions we make.
Miguel Corona:
Hey Melissa, I edited it a bit for you:
Whenever I am stuck in traffic, I always assume the cause is too many cars. As I pass by any string of cars while riding in the bike lane, I empathize with the potential victims who have to breathe in their smog and try to keep a calm head out of respect. But recently, I realized the nearly stand still traffic was being caused by an SOV (single occupant vehicle-no passengers, no cargo) and my blood boiled.
I will honestly say that I do believe in sharing the road. The weight of a car can be 4,000 pounds and a car can reach speeds well over 100 mph, though it is illegal to do so on any public road in the US. Furthermore, cars can carry at least two people, though this is rarely practiced. In contrast, the average bicycle weighs about 30 pounds and an average rider can only go about 20 mph and takes up a fraction of the space of a car while producing none of the emissions or wear and tear on the roadway. As many as six bikes can effectively ride in a group and take up the same space as one driver in a large truck or SUV. Thus, the driver of a car assumes far greater responsibility when getting behind the wheel and should always keep this in mind.
But somehow we have decided that the way to coexist is to travel the same roads together in harmony. However, the burden of traveling safely together ultimately depends on the driver using common courtesy, patience, and basic skills necessary for living in a society that encourages diversity and tolerance.
Often, I see an SOV merge into existing traffic and block a lane while signaling impatiently for us to slow down as if we “bike people” are the problem. And if you come up on a pack of SOVs, it is even worse since they have no problem driving side by side, each taking up an entire lane!
I’ve even been shocked while waiting for a light to turn green to see SOVs whizzing through stale yellow or even red lights. Apparently they don’t have to stop and wait for the light to actually turn green if they decide they can floor it and run the light.
Once, I saw an SOV who did decide to wait on the light actually leave their car idling until the light turned green. I fought the urge to knock on their window and explain that I did not appreciate breathing the disgusting fumes from their car and doing this so they didn't have to experience the slight inconvenience of public transportation or carpooling was not part of our deal.
This arrogance increases threefold if an SOV is “customized” or "oversized" Apparently, a car that has an extra logo or two on it along with the modifications to make it bigger, faster, or more flashy translates to some extra level of ownership of the asphalt. Sometimes they seem to be tempting someone to hit them.
It does not look like Atlanta will ever create enough public transportation to get SOVs off the main roads. But I do believe there is a solution that would at least make me feel like everyone were being treated a little more fairly.
I want everyone who wants to drive solo on the main road to get a special license and a tag. That certainly isn’t a new idea. Similar efforts have taken place all over the country with HOV and carpool lanes, along with campaigns to promote public transportation, and this is the logical next step. It would also mandate more awareness of the world we live in for everyone.
To pay for the new SOV-specific licensing and the enforcement, the measure would require SOVs to take an awareness class and pay a fee for registration via a special license plate for all SOVs.
By having special license plates on SOVs, the hope is that this would lead to more responsible behavior and make it easier to hold drivers accountable for their actions.
At least if I were behind an SOV with a special license plate, I would know that my extra ten minutes in traffic were the result of some ignorance on the part of the driver and not just a flippant disregard for all the other tax paying citizens on the road who are doing their best to conserve resources.
To truly share the road and this earth, we must all share the responsibility and accountability for the decisions we make.
02-22-13, 09:00 AM
#42
Senior Member
I opened a twitter account yesterday, and tweeted her for a response. I looked through her, and associated, web sites and nada. Zip. Nuttin.
02-22-13, 09:07 AM
#43
Carpe Velo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,519
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times
in
13 Posts
02-22-13, 09:44 AM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 705
Bikes: Bianchi circa late 1980s, Surly Cross Check, Kona Blast
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-22-13, 09:54 AM
#46
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
I understood his point perfectly...and the way in which it was delivered is not effective. It belies an attitude of resentment and duality between cars and bikes...it furthers the mutual silliness.
02-22-13, 10:17 AM
#47
Senior Member
02-22-13, 10:47 AM
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 705
Bikes: Bianchi circa late 1980s, Surly Cross Check, Kona Blast
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
