Advocacy & Safety - Little Discriminating??

I read this article the other day in the local newspaper. I couldn't believe it.
Little Discriminating... No?

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/colu...977581-sun.html

It must have been, because it looks like they removed it.

Sorry... I failed at posting the right link..

Here it is again.

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/columnists/ricky_leong/2009/06/30/9977581-sun.html

If anything, that was one of the most balanced perspectives I've seen in any article as most of them are either written in conspicuously journalistic style- with poise and a rather canned attempt at objectivity which often takes as pompous "the cyclist should know they always lose" tone- or it's an opinion piece by some bigot ranting about how cyclists are too assertive, deserve it when they get hit and that, as always, the road is for cars.

This guy actually gave some decent observations about how some cyclists don't act as only a vehicle operator or a pedestrian and how other non-automotive vehicles aren't allowed on the road. Critical but fair.

" Once upon a time, I biked more than I drove. Back then, I tried not to annoy motorists and pedestrians, though I admit my discipline left a little to be desired.

I always wore a helmet. I stayed on bike paths when possible. When I did cycle on the street, I shoulder-checked and used those nifty hand signals they taught in elementary school. That way, I wouldn't alarm the motorists around me. (Still, they were probably as afraid of me as I was of them.) "

:50:

"On busy streets, we should provide cyclists with as many bike paths or reserved curb lanes as possible."

:thumb:

"Where no such lanes exist, cyclists should walk their bikes on sidewalks."

:wtf:

I want to seem him walk in cleats when no such lanes exist for blocks at a time.

"Where no such lanes exist, cyclists should walk their bikes on sidewalks. "

serious? *rolling eyes*

Discriminating"? ..... No. It's just one person's perspective at this moment in his life. It's a newspaper and newspapers are made to sell advertising via articles like this. It's just dust in the wind.

I'm "right". You're "wrong". Does the blame game ever end? Somehow we all must get along.

blah blah blah......same s**t different channel....Nothing new here....

I've lived over 15 years in that city.
I had no idea the Sun had editorial content on its pages.
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt86/idle_rayne/Fashion/Glamour/dynamic_resize7.jpg

take it to A&S, please!

I've lived over 15 years in that city.
I had no idea the Sun had editorial content on its pages.
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt86/idle_rayne/Fashion/Glamour/dynamic_resize7.jpg

most interesting post I've ever seen on this topic

moving to A&S...

Another wimp who is too scared to ride his bike on the big boy road, so he thinks nobody else should either.

Another wimp who is too scared to ride his bike on the big boy road, so he thinks nobody else should either.

Have not read the article, but consider that if folks are "too scared" perhaps the "big boy road" is less than inviting, and we are not likely to encourage others to even try to take up cycling under those circumstances, nor this sort of taunt.

I hate it when people write in a ton of one sentence paragraphs. I think he's trying to sound epic with dramatic spacing, but it ends up sounding like a dictation by somebody with a breathing problem.

Lots to argue with, but its just more of the same.

I feel stupider for having read that article. The guy is a liar, he never rode a bike more than he drove. One highlight was the idea if you can't get a traffic light to trip and use the pedestrian switch, you should have to walk.

I hate it when people write in a ton of one sentence paragraphs. I think he's trying to sound epic with dramatic spacing, but it ends up sounding like a dictation by somebody with a breathing problem.

My favorite is this little gem-


No wonder the car-bike relationship is so tenuous. .

That's not even a complete sentence, much less a stand-alone paragraph.

Don't people proofread their articles?

Ahh... the Calgary Sun.... fish wrap at its finest. The Toronto Sun is close second though...

I have to say I am surprised and pleased at some of the comments though.