[seafoam]

A couple of letters to the editor of the Auburn (California) Journal.

http://auburnjournal.com/articles/2006/08/09/opinion/letters/04letters.txt

http://auburnjournal.com/articles/2006/08/10/opinion/letters/02letters.txt

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[genec]

Isn't interesting that the core of so many motorist complaints seems to involve the motorist driving in a way that is irresponsible. "oh I can't drive TOO fast down this road because I might have to slam on my brakes for a cyclist... "

While I fully agree with the first letter writer (and the primary complainant) that there ARE irresponsible cyclists, and that they probably represent the majority of cyclists (sadly), the sheer number of irresponsible motorists far outnumbers the cyclists, just based on the numbers of motorists on the road... many of whom usually drive well beyond the conditions of the road... a basic driving mistake.

***************************

To those other readers... yeah, I just threw out some "bad" generalities... But if you think about the cyclists for a second, you will see that I am probably right... kids tend to ride in an irresponsible manner... and represent the majority of cyclists out there.

As for the motorists... most speed... and by sheer number, then represent a greater problem on the road than irresponsible cyclists.

After all, who represents a greater threat to others' lives... a speeding motorist or a kid popping wheelies?

[ryanparrish]

I think there needs to be a seperation of powers a divided nation equal opertonity roads. Roads designed only for bikes and other human powerd vehicles NO joggers and a road for motor vehicles. No matter how much you want to change a motorists you can't fix stupid. I feel that there is no accidents they should really call them 0H Sh!7s because thats what happens when your not doing what your spoused to do like piloting your 2 ton Weapon of Mass Destruction. Because I think on both sides of the fulcrum there is irresponsible cyclists and there are irresponsible pilots. I firmly believe that both sides will agree on share the road and respect the laws. Sorry for the rant I will hide again

[Helmet Head]

I think there needs to be a seperation of powers a divided nation equal opertonity roads. Roads designed only for bikes and other human powerd vehicles NO joggers and a road for motor vehicles.
Yes, and "I think there needs to be" gourmet custom prepared food to be eaten while cycling available for free every two miles, with bons bons for dessert.

No matter how much you want to change a motorists you can't fix stupid.
Motorists errors are the primary cause of relatively few bike-car collisions, and motorists errors that are unavoidable by the responsible cyclist (or the responsible other motorists) are virtually unheard of.

I feel that there is no accidents they should really call them 0H Sh!7s because thats what happens when your not doing what your spoused to do like piloting your 2 ton Weapon of Mass Destruction. Because I think on both sides of the fulcrum there is irresponsible cyclists and there are irresponsible pilots. I firmly believe that both sides will agree on share the road and respect the laws. Sorry for the rant I will hide again

Back to reality... cyclists (riding on roads) fare best when they act and are treated as vehicle drivers...

[sbhikes]

We had a guy join our bicycle coalition list and start ranting about how unsafe these traffic calming devices we have locally are. He was trying to say how dangerous they are for people riding bikes because they'll be even more likely to be mowed down by cars because, he felt, the only way to drive through some of these things is to swerve out of control all over the place.

I pointed out to this guy that the only people who have to swerve all over the place to get through the traffic calming devices are the ones who insist on driving 40mph through them. Never heard from him again.

The only motorists who have to "slam on their brakes" are the ones driving too fast for conditions.

[genec]

The only motorists who have to "slam on their brakes" are the ones driving too fast for conditions.

Exactamondo!

[Falkon]

My Rebuttle

Dear Mrs Weaver,

You are an idiot.

Allez, allez, allez,
Jim

[Wogsterca]

I think there needs to be a seperation of powers a divided nation equal opertonity roads. Roads designed only for bikes and other human powerd vehicles NO joggers and a road for motor vehicles. No matter how much you want to change a motorists you can't fix stupid. I feel that there is no accidents they should really call them 0H Sh!7s because thats what happens when your not doing what your spoused to do like piloting your 2 ton Weapon of Mass Destruction. Because I think on both sides of the fulcrum there is irresponsible cyclists and there are irresponsible pilots. I firmly believe that both sides will agree on share the road and respect the laws. Sorry for the rant I will hide again

Actually the term "traffic accident" is a misnomer, it implies that there is nothing you could have done to prevent the event. A better term is a collision, in that an accident implies that there is nothing you could have done to prevent the event, collision does not make that implication. A collision is actually a failure of both parties involved, to properly observe the event horizon, and take the proper steps to avoid the event.

The real problem is that driving is often assumed to be a low skill activity, and it isn't, getting a licence to operate an automobile should be much harder to get, and easier to lose.

[ryanparrish]

Actually the term "traffic accident" is a misnomer, it implies that there is nothing you could have done to prevent the event. A better term is a collision, in that an accident implies that there is nothing you could have done to prevent the event, collision does not make that implication. A collision is actually a failure of both parties involved, to properly observe the event horizon, and take the proper steps to avoid the event.

The real problem is that driving is often assumed to be a low skill activity, and it isn't, getting a licence to operate an automobile should be much harder to get, and easier to lose.

hence the term piloting it shouldn't be driving thats what you do when your in a golf course in a golf cart

[gwhalin]

Motorists errors are the primary cause of relatively few bike-car collisions, and motorists errors that are unavoidable by the responsible cyclist (or the responsible other motorists) are virtually unheard of.

Huh? Have you ever biked in a city? Actually forget that (reality) and just use common sense. A vehicle weighing 2000 pounds that is composed of steel and has a top speed of 100 mph, driven by barely trained overworked, under rested humans is not so easy (sometimes impossible) to avoid when they suddenly do something stupid.