Commuting - Angry handicapped people

I've only had two road incidents lately, both with handicap plate people. Not hating on handicap people but is anyone else having a similar issue? First time the guy yelled expletives second time I was way off on the shoulder minding my own business and the guy lays on the horn. So many yahoos falsifying to get handicap plates these people might not even be handicapped.

I regularly see a guy with handicap plates on his pickup truck. He always waits for me to wave him by, never passes on his own, no matter how wide the road. I think he's nervous I might make some crazy move and get myself killed. Total other end of the spectrum.

I'm one of those people with a handicap tag. I can barely walk but I can bike all day and do the occasional century. I even get out and tour for days or even weeks at a time. Cycling got me out of a wheelchair when I could not walk at all. I have a severe form of Psoriatic Arthritis. It pretty much destroyed my feet before the doctors figured out what it was. My Psoriatic Arthritis appeared to be RA and so initially they were treating me as if I had RA. The treatment used for RA can and did worsen my Psoriatic Arthritis, which put me in the wheelchair for a while. I can understand the attitudes some handicapped people have. Like trying to find a handicapped parking space and discovering there all taken by people that don't have tags or placards. There just going to be in for a couple of minutes, which turns into a half hour or more and in the interim I'm parking in a regular parking space only to get harassed about not using the handicapped parking spaces. When I was was using the wheelchair people would treat me as if I had a communicable disease. I never let this affect my attitude but some do.

So how did I get started cycling? Exercise is one of the treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis. People with Psoriatic Arthritis develop a condition where a black oily substance is slowly exuded from the skin. My pillow and sheets would slowly turn black due to this substance before I started exercising. Sweating somehow draws this oil associated with Psoriatic Arthritis out of the body and apparently that oil may be the cause of chronic symptoms associated with Psoriatic Arthritis. My doctor sugested joining a pool exercize program. My insurance would not cover that and it was prohibitavly expencive. My doctor then sugested an exercize bike. My toes were not subjeted to any pressure while my feet were pressing the pedals, I could do this exercize at home, and I found an exercize bike in a thrift store for $5. After a week of daily exercize I found I no longer need pain medication and my joints were improving. Another week and I could actually walk around the block without much pain. Thats when the exercize bike got really boring. I figured if I could ride an exercize bike I could ride a real bike and get away from the house, so thats what I did. Now I can get walk around enought I can do without the wheelchair and I have very few days with pain.

I've only had two road incidents lately, both with handicap plate people. Not hating on handicap people but is anyone else having a similar issue?

I had two incidents lately where I got honked at by white people. What's white people's problem, anyway?

I had two incidents lately where I got honked at by white people. What's white people's problem, anyway?

oh man don't get me started

1. I ride with a guy who can barely walk, but bikes well. He has a handicapped tag.
2. Most of the handicapped tag people I see, are not handicapped. They are fat.
3. I too have had trouble with handicapped plate people, and at a greater number than that of regular plates. I have learned to consider a handicapped plate to be a caution sign. Stay away from these people.

... What's white people's problem, anyway?

For one... it's the insane prices I have to pay for sunscreen just because my lily-white skin can't tolerate UV rays. I'm nothing but one huge friggin melanoma just waiting to blossom and that pisses me off!! Also, my cottage cheese white skin makes me look horrible in a speedo... yet another reason to go through the day in a vile mood!! ;)

I had two incidents lately where I got honked at by white people. What's white people's problem, anyway?

Whte people = *******

******* honk

You were expecting something different?

I had two incidents lately where I got honked at by white people. What's white people's problem, anyway?

Their butts are too tight, duh. :p

******* honk

You were expecting something different?

Classic.....

You can rant here. just consider it bad luck and keep riding.

FYI driver doesn't have to be handicaped to get the plate. They can get the plate if that vehicle is the main means of transportation for one of their disabled familly members.

rant here. just consider it bad luck and keep riding.

FYI driver doesn't have to be handicaped to get the plate. They can get the plate if that vehicle is the main means of transportation for one of their disabled familly members.

Agreed! I'm "less abled" (which means not fully wheelchair bound) but I qualify for a H-plate
which I need. It just p!sses me off big time that able idiots just can't wrap their mind around
what life is like for any person who has any sort of disablity. "Normal" people are totally brain
dead when it comes to Handicapped or less-abled people.

But the Handicapped get the last laugh at times when a normal person gets laid up and gets
a glimpse of handicapped life. :roflmao2::roflmao2:
(yeah, I got an attitude about this after years of abuse by "normal" people :notamused:)

The anamosity between the handicapped and "normal" people is earned by "normal" people. :mad:

hmmm elucidating^^. I have noticed this first while driving and now that I don't drive much anymore while biking. At first I thought it was confirmation bias. That is I would notice when a H-plate person did something jerkish because they have an H-plate and then I would be looking for the H-plate when someone did something jerkish. But I think it might be true that there is a general lowe level of driving quality with the H-plated. I also treat it as a caution if someone has Jersey plates but that is a different thread. (Philly riders you know what I am talking about.)

I know where of you speak BroadSt... Around here we get enough out of area tourists that if I see the plates first I cut them some slack. First they may speed up, slow down and steer erratically because they are not sure where they are going. Second, we need the $$$. Where I really worry about are vehicles filled only with teeners.

Also your bottom line was interesting. Cats do give "wool" as all the dust bunnies produced by my three cats prove. In one foreign country I lived in they also were a meat source. In fact, after my newly neutered male cat killed two kittens (and ate half of one) I took it over to the labour compound and get it to a Pondo tribesman and said, "Mena **** wena lo Christmas." " Danke Boss" he replied.

(amusing, the Fanakalo word for Give is banned by the BF computer.)

I must know what the word is now.

I also treat it as a caution if someone has Jersey plates but that is a different thread. (Philly riders you know what I am talking about.)

WORST. DRIVERS. EVER.


I know where of you speak BroadSt... Around here we get enough out of area tourists that if I see the plates first I cut them some slack.

Most NJ drivers don't drive properly in their own state...

I mostly get yelled at by either drunk people or snobby women. I had to get up on the sidewalk because I live above a bar in the downtown area of San Diego. I had two full panniers of groceires so i normally dont ride on the side walk but i have to for about 1/2 a block to get to my front door. This b!tch was standing right in the middle of the ramp i needed to use AT A CROSS WALK. So, being the nice guy that i am, i ride VERY slowly and ring my bell several times so that she saw me coming. She sees me, and continues on with her dumb conversation with her other snoby friend about shoes. So, i squeak by her on her right because i gotta use the ramp and she yells something along the lines of, "EXCUSE ME FOR BEING A PEDESTRIAN." So, again, being the nice guy that I am, I yell something like, "EAT A D!CK!" and go home.

FYI driver doesn't have to be handicaped to get the plate. They can get the plate if that vehicle is the main means of transportation for one of their disabled familly members.

If the vehicle is a primary transport for a handicapped person who needs a fully abled driver, it's illegal for the driver to do the following:

- Park in a reserved spot if the handicapped individual is not in the vehicle.*
- Park in a reserved spot if the handicapped individual is not exiting the vehicle.**

* Exception: You drop someone off at the entrance to a store but they're returning to their car upon leaving. You can park the car in a reserved spot for him/her.
** You can't leave grandpa with his walker, sitting in the car like the family dog just so you can park close and run into the store for 2 minutes.

1. I ride with a guy who can barely walk, but bikes well. He has a handicapped tag.
2. Most of the handicapped tag people I see, are not handicapped. They are fat.
3. I too have had trouble with handicapped plate people, and at a greater number than that of regular plates. I have learned to consider a handicapped plate to be a caution sign. Stay away from these people.


1. "I've got a handicapped friend, so I feel justified in making broad generalizations about all handicapped people."

2. Have you ever considered that maybe they're overweight because of their disability? It's difficult to maintain a steady weight when you can't exercise.

3. Wow. Way to let your prejudice shine.

You can rant here. just consider it bad luck and keep riding.

FYI driver doesn't have to be handicaped to get the plate. They can get the plate if that vehicle is the main means of transportation for one of their disabled familly members.

This happens with my Mother in-law. When ever I driver her somewhere she always takes the tag with her and askes me if I don't want to use it to park. I always kindly decline as I will drop her off right in front of where ever she needs to be. Whenever we are done, I'll walk ahead to the car and pick her up right at the door step. I figure the door to door service I can provide is still better for her than finding the nearest handicap parking spot. I don't mind walking a few extra paces. I can't stand folks that make miss-use of the handicaped parking pass.

As far as handicap drivers being worse than everage... probably not, but it doesn't help that they kind stand out from the rest of traffic with their plates.

Happy riding,
André

2. Most of the handicapped tag people I see, are not handicapped. They are fat.

Which couldn't possibly be because they're handicapped, no. :rolleyes:

I'm one of those people with a handicap tag. I can barely walk but I can bike all day and do the occasional century. I even get out and tour for days or even weeks at a time. Cycling got me out of a wheelchair when I could not walk at all. I have a severe form of Psoriatic Arthritis. It pretty much destroyed my feet before the doctors figured out what it was. My Psoriatic Arthritis appeared to be RA and so initially they were treating me as if I had RA. The treatment used for RA can and did worsen my Psoriatic Arthritis, which put me in the wheelchair for a while. I can understand the attitudes some handicapped people have. Like trying to find a handicapped parking space and discovering there all taken by people that don't have tags or placards. There just going to be in for a couple of minutes, which turns into a half hour or more and in the interim I'm parking in a regular parking space only to get harassed about not using the handicapped parking spaces. When I was was using the wheelchair people would treat me as if I had a communicable disease. I never let this affect my attitude but some do.

So how did I get started cycling? Exercise is one of the treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis. People with Psoriatic Arthritis develop a condition where a black oily substance is slowly exuded from the skin. My pillow and sheets would slowly turn black due to this substance before I started exercising. Sweating somehow draws this oil associated with Psoriatic Arthritis out of the body and apparently that oil may be the cause of chronic symptoms associated with Psoriatic Arthritis. My doctor sugested joining a pool exercize program. My insurance would not cover that and it was prohibitavly expencive. My doctor then sugested an exercize bike. My toes were not subjeted to any pressure while my feet were pressing the pedals, I could do this exercize at home, and I found an exercize bike in a thrift store for $5. After a week of daily exercize I found I no longer need pain medication and my joints were improving. Another week and I could actually walk around the block without much pain. Thats when the exercize bike got really boring. I figured if I could ride an exercize bike I could ride a real bike and get away from the house, so thats what I did. Now I can get walk around enought I can do without the wheelchair and I have very few days with pain.

n4zou, really glad to see that cycling has had such a positive impact on your life. That's an inspiring story. :thumb:

For those complaining about handicap people, let's look at the ratio of capable ass-hats to those less mobile? I bet it's way distorted. I think you remember the handicap tags more often than not because they are the exception rather than the norm. Just my 2 cents & yes I will take change. :)

I've only had two road incidents lately, both with handicap plate people. Not hating on handicap people but is anyone else having a similar issue? First time the guy yelled expletives second time I was way off on the shoulder minding my own business and the guy lays on the horn. So many yahoos falsifying to get handicap plates these people might not even be handicapped.

This is the same sort of logic that creates "Those cyclists don't follow the rules of the road"

I've got rheumatoid arthritis, and no handicapped tag. I'm able-bodied by any reasonable definition...except when I'm not. I get flare-ups in joints that are about as painful as a fracture or a dislocation. Fortunately, while there's a ton of pain, there's no damage done if I work it. Like n4zou, one of the reasons I ride is to manage my arthritis. I also play tennis, do aikido, hike, ski and whitewater kayak. I don't intend to lose my mobility, I do all I can to manage my condition with exercise and a few herbs and nothing but, but I recognize that my best efforts may not be enough.

We are all, at best, temporarily able-bodied. Today it's n4zou. Tomorrow it may be me. The day after, it'll be you. Exercise your compassion muscles while you can; you're gonna need 'em.

I've got rheumatoid arthritis, and no handicapped tag. I'm able-bodied by any reasonable definition...except when I'm not. I get flare-ups in joints that are about as painful as a fracture or a dislocation. Fortunately, while there's a ton of pain, there's no damage done if I work it. Like n4zou, one of the reasons I ride is to manage my arthritis. I also play tennis, do aikido, hike, ski and whitewater kayak. I don't intend to lose my mobility, I do all I can to manage my condition with exercise and a few herbs and nothing but, but I recognize that my best efforts may not be enough.

We are all, at best, temporarily able-bodied. Today it's n4zou. Tomorrow it may be me. The day after, it'll be you. Exercise your compassion muscles while you can; you're gonna need 'em.

This was the situation my grandfather was in before he passed away. He didn't get a tag until his RA got pretty bad. Until then he made sure to stay active (golf, tennis, etc).

He was a bad driver before he got the tag (an after :p), having the handicapped tag had nothing to do with it!

2. Most of the handicapped tag people I see, are not handicapped. They are fat.

I can't say that most I've seen are fat but having lived in the land of pork and honey-spread* (The South) for 18 years I've witnessed that a surprisingly large percentage of handicapped (not handicapable) tags/licenses are used by people who aren't merely fat but grossly obese. I see them 'Scampy' their way into line at the local all-you-can-eat "Bubba's Porkfest Emporium" and load up their shopping carts with "groceries"** in which sugar is one of the top 3 ingredients. Are they fat because they're sedentary or are they sedentary because they're fat? I would guess it's not a case of "chicken or the egg"... rather that they would respond, "sure, I'll have both... fried!"

Not that some obese people aren't overweight because of real physical ailments such as thyroid problems but all too many are fat because of what they eat as well as the quantity they eat compared to their activity level.

Incidentally, my mom is fat and has arthritis yet she works out every day, goes kayaking and is very active and wouldn't dream of getting a handicapped tag. I love listening to her old world no-nonsense logic and pearls of wisdom delivered with a thick German accent such as:
"Explain zis to me... vhy vould I vant a special parking spot vhere I don't have to valk very far when valking is vhat my fat ass needs to keep from growing even bigger?!!!"
"Vhy should I stop doing zings just because they are painful to do? Are you telling me zat 'No pain, no gain' only applies to young bodybuilders?"

*honey-spread which is primarily hydrogenated veggie oil, not even real butter.
**groceries - a word that has come to mean anything that can be consumed orally but doesn't necessarily have any nutritional value.

I've only had two road incidents lately, both with handicap plate people. Not hating on handicap people but is anyone else having a similar issue? First time the guy yelled expletives second time I was way off on the shoulder minding my own business and the guy lays on the horn. So many yahoos falsifying to get handicap plates these people might not even be handicapped.

Are you sure these weren't ******** plates instead? :rolleyes:

We all know people who are fat because they eat too much--but to be unable to give someone with a handicapped placard the benefit of the doubt? Exactly what kind of amazing mental powers do you have, that allow you to see into the lives of people you don't know?

I do centuries for fun when my MS isn't acting up too badly. During an exacerbation, I gain weight, can't balance, lose muscle function, and you can't tell by looking at me. I look normal--and out of shape.

So far it's not primary-progressive MS, so I get better after each exacerbation. Some day it likely will be, and I'll hang out in motorized scooter forums instead of bike forums, and most likely--between the inability to bicycle and the necessity of IV steroids--gain lots of weight. What will you think of me then?

There are dishonest people and con artists in any population, but you simply do know why any individual person with a handicapped placard is fat. Why not err on the side of generosity of spirit? The worst that happens is you're wrong.

We all know people who are fat because they eat too much--but to be unable to give someone with a handicapped placard the benefit of the doubt? Exactly what kind of amazing mental powers do you have, that allow you to see into the lives of people you don't know?

I do centuries for fun when my MS isn't acting up too badly. During an exacerbation, I gain weight, can't balance, lose muscle function, and you can't tell by looking at me. I look normal--and out of shape.

So far it's not primary-progressive MS, so I get better after each exacerbation. Some day it likely will be, and I'll hang out in motorized scooter forums instead of bike forums, and most likely--between the inability to bicycle and the necessity of IV steroids--gain lots of weight. What will you think of me then?

There are dishonest people and con artists in any population, but you simply do know why any individual person with a handicapped placard is fat. Why not err on the side of generosity of spirit? The worst that happens is you're wrong.

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