Local Paper Tells Cyclists to Get off of the roads!!!
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Local Paper Tells Cyclists to Get off of the roads!!!
In light of a recent bicycle fatality, our local paper has made pleas for cyclists to stay off of the roads during wheat harvest. They suggest doing other activities like jogging or just taking a rest. They also mention that we aren't "training for the Olympics!" Please tell them what you think!!!
https://www.salina.com/editorials/Har...--June-5--2013
https://www.salina.com/editorials/Har...--June-5--2013
#2
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Sent to Mr. Wearing.
- - - - -
Mr. Wearing,
1.) No excuse can be made for the scum who is a "hit and run" perpetrator. It doesn't matter if they hit a bicyclist, jogger, pedestrian, or other motorized vehicle. "Hit and run" is wrong!
2.) According to
https://healthyamericans.org/reports/...php?stateid=KS
Kansas has the 16th highest obesity rate in the nation. From the article, "Fifteen years ago, Kansas had an obesity rate of 13.5 percent and was ranked 36th most obese state in the nation. The obesity rate in Kansas doubled over the last 15 years."
and
"Fifteen years ago, Kansas had a combined obesity and overweight rate of 47.6 percent. Ten years ago, it was 56.6 percent. Now, the combined rate is 64.9 percent."
Almost 65%! That is shameful. You should be supporting and encouraging exercise, in all its forms ... including bicycling. Yes, I agree, most cyclist are not training for the Olympics, but they are taking responsibility for their health.
Cyclist are taxpayers also have every right to utilize the highways. They should not have to be mowed down by inconsiderate, unrepentant automobile/truck drivers.
Respectfully,
(my real name)
- - - - -
Mr. Wearing,
1.) No excuse can be made for the scum who is a "hit and run" perpetrator. It doesn't matter if they hit a bicyclist, jogger, pedestrian, or other motorized vehicle. "Hit and run" is wrong!
2.) According to
https://healthyamericans.org/reports/...php?stateid=KS
Kansas has the 16th highest obesity rate in the nation. From the article, "Fifteen years ago, Kansas had an obesity rate of 13.5 percent and was ranked 36th most obese state in the nation. The obesity rate in Kansas doubled over the last 15 years."
and
"Fifteen years ago, Kansas had a combined obesity and overweight rate of 47.6 percent. Ten years ago, it was 56.6 percent. Now, the combined rate is 64.9 percent."
Almost 65%! That is shameful. You should be supporting and encouraging exercise, in all its forms ... including bicycling. Yes, I agree, most cyclist are not training for the Olympics, but they are taking responsibility for their health.
Cyclist are taxpayers also have every right to utilize the highways. They should not have to be mowed down by inconsiderate, unrepentant automobile/truck drivers.
Respectfully,
(my real name)
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I almost said "dumbest thing I've ever read" but need to check myself because, unfortunately, there's been worse.
Given the timing (after a fatal hit and run) is the writer saying that harvest means "open season" on cyclists? I do understand the issue of safety when truck traffic is unusually high, and for some who can, it might be common sense to ride elsewhere, or possibly shift hours.
But the tone of the article wasn't a reminder to ALL road users to exercise due caution when roads are busier. Moreover it implies that bicycles are toys and second class road users which shows that the writer simply has no grasp on who rides and why.
What's next, a reminder to women, not to dress to nice, and not to go out at night, because the sexual predators are in force?
Given the timing (after a fatal hit and run) is the writer saying that harvest means "open season" on cyclists? I do understand the issue of safety when truck traffic is unusually high, and for some who can, it might be common sense to ride elsewhere, or possibly shift hours.
But the tone of the article wasn't a reminder to ALL road users to exercise due caution when roads are busier. Moreover it implies that bicycles are toys and second class road users which shows that the writer simply has no grasp on who rides and why.
What's next, a reminder to women, not to dress to nice, and not to go out at night, because the sexual predators are in force?
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Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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I know let's completely insult farmers but telling them they're so stupid that they can't be held responsible for the operation of heavy machinery and feel an innate compulsion to commit vehicular homicide. Both my grandfathers were proud farmers and wouldn't have taken kindly to ANYONE committing a hit and run.
#5
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The comments made reading Mr. Wearing's drivel worth while.
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The article is a tragedy, and so is the death of fellow rider Gail Kline. She was riding in a (semi?) organized gravel road tour, Kandango.
RIP fellow rider.
RIP fellow rider.
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I would bet a dollar to the donut he is probably eating tha this editor is an old fat out of shape dork.
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um whats the top speed of a thresher, tractor or grain harvester (etc)? Narrow roads?
During "wheat harvesting season", drivers can contend with all this but not a few bicycles?
During "wheat harvesting season", drivers can contend with all this but not a few bicycles?
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I know let's completely insult farmers but telling them they're so stupid that they can't be held responsible for the operation of heavy machinery and feel an innate compulsion to commit vehicular homicide. Both my grandfathers were proud farmers and wouldn't have taken kindly to ANYONE committing a hit and run.
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Originally Posted by article
The death Friday west of Salina of bicyclist Gail Kline, who was struck by a hit-and-run driver, is an appropriate time for us to make our annual appeal for bicyclists to stay off county roads during harvest.
Originally Posted by article
Whenever it occurs, the danger for bicyclists increases dramatically. Sharing narrow county roads with no shoulders with normal vehicle traffic is dangerous enough. Throw in semis and other wheat trucks and farm equipment in a hurry to get through harvest, and the danger rises to the it's-just-not-worth-it level.
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I almost said "dumbest thing I've ever read" but need to check myself because, unfortunately, there's been worse.
Given the timing (after a fatal hit and run) is the writer saying that harvest means "open season" on cyclists? I do understand the issue of safety when truck traffic is unusually high, and for some who can, it might be common sense to ride elsewhere, or possibly shift hours.
But the tone of the article wasn't a reminder to ALL road users to exercise due caution when roads are busier. Moreover it implies that bicycles are toys and second class road users which shows that the writer simply has no grasp on who rides and why.
What's next, a reminder to women, not to dress to nice, and not to go out at night, because the sexual predators are in force?
Given the timing (after a fatal hit and run) is the writer saying that harvest means "open season" on cyclists? I do understand the issue of safety when truck traffic is unusually high, and for some who can, it might be common sense to ride elsewhere, or possibly shift hours.
But the tone of the article wasn't a reminder to ALL road users to exercise due caution when roads are busier. Moreover it implies that bicycles are toys and second class road users which shows that the writer simply has no grasp on who rides and why.
What's next, a reminder to women, not to dress to nice, and not to go out at night, because the sexual predators are in force?
Reminder, it's harvest time - watch out for cyclists, follow the laws and stay attentive. Cyclists, consider alternate routes.
I'd have no issue with it.
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Sent to Mr. Wearing.
- - - - -
Mr. Wearing,
1.) No excuse can be made for the scum who is a "hit and run" perpetrator. It doesn't matter if they hit a bicyclist, jogger, pedestrian, or other motorized vehicle. "Hit and run" is wrong!
2.) According to
https://healthyamericans.org/reports/...php?stateid=KS
Kansas has the 16th highest obesity rate in the nation. From the article, "Fifteen years ago, Kansas had an obesity rate of 13.5 percent and was ranked 36th most obese state in the nation. The obesity rate in Kansas doubled over the last 15 years."
and
"Fifteen years ago, Kansas had a combined obesity and overweight rate of 47.6 percent. Ten years ago, it was 56.6 percent. Now, the combined rate is 64.9 percent."
Almost 65%! That is shameful. You should be supporting and encouraging exercise, in all its forms ... including bicycling. Yes, I agree, most cyclist are not training for the Olympics, but they are taking responsibility for their health.
Cyclist are taxpayers also have every right to utilize the highways. They should not have to be mowed down by inconsiderate, unrepentant automobile/truck drivers.
Respectfully,
(my real name)
- - - - -
Mr. Wearing,
1.) No excuse can be made for the scum who is a "hit and run" perpetrator. It doesn't matter if they hit a bicyclist, jogger, pedestrian, or other motorized vehicle. "Hit and run" is wrong!
2.) According to
https://healthyamericans.org/reports/...php?stateid=KS
Kansas has the 16th highest obesity rate in the nation. From the article, "Fifteen years ago, Kansas had an obesity rate of 13.5 percent and was ranked 36th most obese state in the nation. The obesity rate in Kansas doubled over the last 15 years."
and
"Fifteen years ago, Kansas had a combined obesity and overweight rate of 47.6 percent. Ten years ago, it was 56.6 percent. Now, the combined rate is 64.9 percent."
Almost 65%! That is shameful. You should be supporting and encouraging exercise, in all its forms ... including bicycling. Yes, I agree, most cyclist are not training for the Olympics, but they are taking responsibility for their health.
Cyclist are taxpayers also have every right to utilize the highways. They should not have to be mowed down by inconsiderate, unrepentant automobile/truck drivers.
Respectfully,
(my real name)
Mr. Wearing, You said it yourself. She was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Harvest season makes no difference, as to the probability(or lack thereof) of hit-and-run driver being on the roads. So your argument that cyclists' should stay off the road in Salina, is baseless, pointless, and just plain stupid. Your argument has no merit whatsoever.
Chris Range
Did you receive a response from him? I did.
He replied by only saying: Here's the main edit that ran that day. Ben
He then 'gave' me the link to his more respectful article: https://salina.com/search/Bicycle-dea...NESDAY--6-5-13
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The revision's much improved, but taking down all the comments from the first run is pretty obnoxious.
#17
Senior Member
After I said this:
Mr. Wearing, You said it yourself. She was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Harvest season makes no difference, as to the probability(or lack thereof) of hit-and-run driver being on the roads. So your argument that cyclists' should stay off the road in Salina, is baseless, pointless, and just plain stupid. Your argument has no merit whatsoever.
Chris Range
Did you receive a response from him? I did.
He replied by only saying: Here's the main edit that ran that day. Ben
He then 'gave' me the link to his more respectful article: https://salina.com/search/Bicycle-dea...NESDAY--6-5-13
Mr. Wearing, You said it yourself. She was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Harvest season makes no difference, as to the probability(or lack thereof) of hit-and-run driver being on the roads. So your argument that cyclists' should stay off the road in Salina, is baseless, pointless, and just plain stupid. Your argument has no merit whatsoever.
Chris Range
Did you receive a response from him? I did.
He replied by only saying: Here's the main edit that ran that day. Ben
He then 'gave' me the link to his more respectful article: https://salina.com/search/Bicycle-dea...NESDAY--6-5-13
(One of the fine ladies I dated for three years was born and raised in Salina. Visited once. Nice place.)
Last edited by volosong; 06-06-13 at 02:06 PM.
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i googled gail kline and found this.
[h=1]Ghost Bike Erected For Gail Kline[/h]Posted June 4, 2013 @ 9:34 pm - Filed under: Kansas
Over the weekend, a ghost bike was erected for bicyclist Gail Kline, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on May 31st near Salina.
The placard reads “Cyclist Struck Here. Remember G.K. 5-31-13″.
Gail’s husband, Kevin Kline, posted the photo to his Facebook profile, and said:
what a class act of an anonymous person or people!
[h=1]Ghost Bike Erected For Gail Kline[/h]Posted June 4, 2013 @ 9:34 pm - Filed under: Kansas
Over the weekend, a ghost bike was erected for bicyclist Gail Kline, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on May 31st near Salina.
The placard reads “Cyclist Struck Here. Remember G.K. 5-31-13″.
Gail’s husband, Kevin Kline, posted the photo to his Facebook profile, and said:
Does it get any better than Kansas? In a little less than four days, someone has placed a memorial for Gail. This act of kindness has filled our family with much needed condolence. It was placed anonymously, yet I would love to thank in person whoever took the time to make this possible.
The man arrested for killing Gail, 62-year-old Lewis Grider, was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter. Today, Grider was released from jail “after Saline County Attorney Ellen Mitchell requested additional time to review evidence and receive law enforcement reports before filing formal charges”.what a class act of an anonymous person or people!
#19
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...Today, Grider was released from jail “after Saline County Attorney Ellen Mitchell requested additional time to review evidence and receive law enforcement reports before filing formal charges”.
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#22
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Read the "improved" article. Impression of Mr. Wearing unchanged.
#23
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As it is, I would have liked some reference to the original, and an explanation for the correction. (not "I got letters").
So let's await future references to cycling before we decide if he's rethought his attitude toward bicyclists on the roads.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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I Googled the intersection mentioned in the original article, because of Mr. Wearing's comment about tractors and grain harvesters being on the road. The intersection in question, is in the 'plains', where a motorist could see in any one direction for miles, without a problem. While a grain harvester might cause a bit of concern, as to its' size(they take up a full lane and more), a tractor is no problem.
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I think the article is much improved, and had this been the first version, nobody would have found fault with it.
As it is, I would have liked some reference to the original, and an explanation for the correction. (not "I got letters").
So let's await future references to cycling before we decide if he's rethought his attitude toward bicyclists on the roads.
As it is, I would have liked some reference to the original, and an explanation for the correction. (not "I got letters").
So let's await future references to cycling before we decide if he's rethought his attitude toward bicyclists on the roads.