Road Cycling - Cyclists Frustrate Community

I wanted to post a letter from a local community leader from Black Earth, a small town west of Madison, WI. It illustrates how road cyclists are viewed by the masses.

Any thoughts on solutions to pacify the masses would be appreciated! OTOH, there is no specific examples of the “problems” caused by “the biker” other than “breaking the law”. It’s difficult to solve a problem when the problem isn’t defined :rolleyes:

-murray



From: BE Village Pres.- Jeanne Poast
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 10:21 PM To: Governor Jim Doyle; Rep.Travis; Robert Bowman; russell_feingold@feingold.senate.gov
Cc: Vern Wendt; hitzemann@co.dane.wi.us; Sen.Erpenbach; Knutson, Tryg; tammy.baldwin; Falk, Kathleen; Jim EMS; Village Jack Curtis; Joe Flynn; Paul FOSSHAGE; Melbankes; Vermont Bill Hanson; Senator Kohl; Town of Cross Plains; Town of Mazomanie; Town of Vermont; dhcows@MHTC.net; 'Wells,

Subject: Bicycling on the west end of Dane County

Hello to the Governor, County Exec. Kathleen Falk, Senator Erpenbach, Senator Feingold, Rep. Travis, Rep. Baldwin, and Dane County Supervisors -Wendt and Hitzemann!

We have been having a real problem with groups of bike racer (groups) over taking our area and the roads! Leaders from the Townships of Berry, Mazo, Vermont, Black Earth, Cross Plains and the village of Black Earth have expressed concerns to the Dane County Sheriff's office. But we need more help then they can give us. Laws need to be changed or understood better. Seems the biker has alot more rights then the people who are paying for insurance, license plates and the roads we drive on!


Next Monday night there is a meeting at the Vermont Town Hall and I have been asked to go and I really want you to come to the meeting!

These people are living through this all the time and they need your help! They need to be heard by someone who can make a difference!

I have an idea... Charge them a fee! Why can't we put license plates on bikes. That way we can make them accountable for breaking the law! When they break the law then we can call the police and have a way to know who it is! So many of these groups of bikers come into our village and /or townships and take over the roads! This is where we live! How would they feel if we take over in their town or village? They have no regard the people that live here or their property. The state and county need money and this is a major problem. Charging them a GOOD healthy fee for a license plate would help with some of the sort fall in the county and state budget!

After all this is a hobby!

Please come to the meeting on July 12 at 7:30 p.m.!

Something needs to be done and it has to start some
place!

Jeanne Poast
Black Earth Village President
Population 1314
1210 Mills St., Black Earth, WI 53515
Cell # 608-444-0190 or home office 767-2564
www.villageofblackearth.com

Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that power to work is a blessing, that love of work is success.
--David O. McKay

Ahhhhhh. The ignorant masses speak :)

On a serious note or two...
I like how people always seem to think we ride on roads we don't pay for. Last time I checked, I had a car with plates and had to pay property taxes, sales taxes, income taxes, etc. In fact, if I remember correctly, I actually pay MORE than many of the trailer trash slobs who think I'm riding on *their* roads :(

As for cycling being a hobby, yes it is. Then again, so is getting on your car to drive one block. Wait a sec. Cycling actually has genuine health benefits and leads to better fitness. Maybe getting in the car is the hobby while cycling is the wise choice...

Hmmmm. I like how they think they can call the police if they see us breaking a law. I wonder if he/she has ever tried to call a cop *after* seeing someone blow a red light? Th cops have to see a person actually commit the crime or it's simply "her word against mine"... :p

On a sympathetic note, many cyclists (myself included) DO completely ignore most rules of the road and can be somewhat insensitive (NOT included). I guess it's just harder to stop at a sign when you realize you have to do the work to start again :D Maybe motorists would understand if we went to Flintstone cars :) But that is still an important criticism.

Anyway, this is a town w/ a pop of 1314?!?!?! Hell, there's nothing to take over! :) Morons.

Running a search on the web for "Jeanne Poast" of "Black Earth" yields interesting results :)

So many of these groups of bikers come into our village and /or townships and take over the roads! This is where we live! How would they feel if we take over in their town or village? They have no regard the people that live here or their property.

She makes it sound like the bicyclists are like a Hell's Angels motorcycle gang.

"Seems the biker has alot more rights then the people who are paying for insurance, license plates and the roads we drive on!"

I always like this arguement. Its not like as a cyclist I don't pay taxes. I also own a house, a vehicle and all the expenses that go with it.

Peace.

So ... I ride my bike to work to save gas and lessen our country's dependence on foreign oil, and I am the A-hole ... uh huh ....

She makes it sound like the bicyclists are like a Hell's Angels motorcycle gang.

You know when you said that it reminded me of Marlon Brando in the The Wild One. :lol:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0767818172.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

"After all this is a hobby"?
How ignorant are these people?

Then again if these bikers are running red lights, cutting off traffic, blocking the red, etc, then I might understand.

Running a search on the web for "Jeanne Poast" of "Black Earth" yields interesting results :)


http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=jeanne+poast+black+earth

After about the second page it gets a little weird.

I just really can't stand the over use of these!!! I mean every sentance! it gets really annoying! you know what I mean! I just can't stand it!

I get the fealing that she is a fat old betty that everyone cannot stand. I say we organize a mass group of cyclist to raid there little town and steal there children for ransom :)

knowing her email address makes me want to drop her a note reminding her that cyclists also drive cars, and by virtue of using their bikes instead of their cars, they're actually causing less wear and tear on the roads, and thereby saving the village money, etc etc. but, i'd hate to do so in response to a privileged communication. where'd the original poster get that email?

I think she doesn't want anything that is not "normal" in her small town.

I don't know the true demographics of the hardcore cycling population, but I would be willing to bet on average income is higher and more taxes are paid.

Also, what does insurance have to do with giving cyclists less rights to the road? It is pretty hard to damage anything besides your bike or yourself.

Then again if these bikers are running red lights, cutting off traffic, blocking the red, etc, then I might understand.

For the record, I don't think there are more than a couple stop lights in Black Earth.

Also for the record, the Colligate National Cycling Road Championships were held in Black Earth a month or so ago. There may be a little backlash from a bunch of college kids having a good time in Black Earth :beer:

BTW, I liked one of the Dartmouth woman’s T shirt:


We mount
We ride
We get off :roflmao: :roflmao:

-murray

where'd the original poster get that email?

I was passed along in one of our eGroups. I purposely left off her email address so that she wouldn’t get anymore emails from people not involved. Here is the email I sent her:



Jeanne Poast, President, Village of Black Earth

Dear Jeanne

First of all, I want to thank you and your community for hosting the Collegiate National Cycling Championships last month! Everyone I spoke to was impressed with the hospitality and generosity shown by the Village of Black Earth during this great event.

As a cyclist, I was made aware of your letter to our law makers regarding bikers taking over the roads. I’ve been riding my bike on public roads for over 20 years and I can’t remember an instance where a motorist was inconvenienced more than a handful of seconds by me riding my bike. Perhaps you could describe your encounters with cyclists and your frustrations so I can better understand your point of view.

In regards to charging a fee for bikes, I would gladly pay a fee for the privilege to ride my bike, but the simple fact is this won’t solve anything. It won’t reduce the number of cyclists on the roads, it won’t stop cyclists from breaking the law and it will only add to frustrations on both sides of this issue. Our law enforcement officers will have no more recourse than me reporting a speeding car.

My wife and I own two cars and live in the city of Fitchburg. I can assure you that we pay insurance, property tax, gasoline tax, sales tax & license plate fees. To be sure, I helped pay for the roads in Dane county as much as my neighbors.

To be honest, I frequently roll through stop signs, particularly on the aforementioned lightly traveled roads, but, for my own safety, I do my best to follow the law when there is any traffic around. Clearly, some cyclists aren’t as law abiding as others, but bikes aren’t the only vehicles on the road that break the law either.

You are correct that cycling is a hobby for me, but it’s also my passion. Riding on the rural roads of Dane county gives me a sense of freedom and vitality unlike any other activity. There are few things in my life that I value more than cycling. Dane county is widely regarded as one of the best areas in the country for cycling. I hope we can work towards a mutually beneficial solution so that Dane county can remain a great place to live for all of us.

Thank you
Murray S

I wanted to post a letter from a local community leader from Black Earth, a small town west of Madison, WI. It illustrates how road cyclists are viewed by the masses.

Any thoughts on solutions to pacify the masses would be appreciated! OTOH, there is no specific examples of the “problems” caused by “the biker” other than “breaking the law”. It’s difficult to solve a problem when the problem isn’t defined :rolleyes:

-murray


Are you planning a rebuttal for this article?

If so some points, some are opinions, I may get blasted but they're opinions:

1) The reason autos pay gas tax, insurance, drivers fees is because they are dangerous and they damage the environment. They have to pay for this convienence in order to fix the damage to the roads they cause (especially trucks) as well the danger they pose to each other, pedestrians, etc. Insurance is needed to protect not only the driver when they smack up their vehicle but 3rd parties as well. A 100km/h projectile is VERY dangerous.

2) Pay a drivers license fee for cyclists? I agree and don't agree with this. I agree in the sense that I would hope that it would further drive home the fact that bicycles are legal vehicles and to shut up the motorists who constantly bring up this point. "Ok I now have a license...happy?" Having a divers license fee may also be a good source of revenue for bicycle improvemenst (although I think the money would be wasted). I don't agree because many people turn to cycling because they don't have a car. Charging a fee MAY prevent some people from taking up this form of transportation. I can't decide whetehr I agree with this DL fee or not, I am more in favour of it these days tho.

3) A hobby? Well yes. But also transportation. Just like an automobile. People use autos to transport themselves and also rebuild cars, do them up with racing stripes and big tires, tint the windows, etc...do they not? Is this not a hobby also? Why don't we charge these people more fees because they do up their vehicles...after all it IS a hobby.

4) YES, cyclists should be accountable for their actions and follow the rules of the road. But due to the bikes don't belong society and our cycling inferiority complex many cyclist feel unsafe and ride on the sidewalks or against traffic or blow stop signs. They should not. Education in our schools and driver ed programs on proper cycling and how to deal with cyclists on the road is a must. In the States its called Effective Cycling in Canada its called CANBIKE. These should be more readily available in schools and a lecture in the driver ed programs on what to expect from cyclists. This can only work if BOTH of these happen.

5) Taking over their property? Oh please! I am sure that this town, like mine, has kids racing up and down the road in their Honda Civics. Do something about them first! What about motorists road rage? What about motorist inattention? These vehicles certainly pose a bigger danger to the town than a bunch of bicycles. The real issue here is that this person is being inconvienenced by bicycles. She has to slow down and wait until it is safe the pass. Her having 10 seconds cut from her time is her problem. Ahhhh too bad!

6) Cycling is healthier, quieter, less damaging, less polluting, less expensive, less dangerous to other people, less frustrating. Although I agree autos are more convienent over long distances and give you the ability to carry heavier and bigger loads. But for around the community, nothing will beat a bicycle. Other than that cars are a pain in the ass. You can't work on them without expensive tools and alot of know-how and training. They last only 10 years (in Canada) and after 5 years they are constantly in the shop for repairs. Mak eno wonder more people turn to bikes (keep in mind that I own 2 vehicles, but they are a necessary evil).

7) Call the police when they break the law? Oh please! How many times have I called the police complaining of the damn kids racing up and down the road or when I called and compalined that someone throw a bottle out a car window at me. THEY. DON'T. CARE. You think they will giev a damn about a bunch of cyclists?

Like I said the reason this person is *****ing is because she is being inconvienenced by bicycles, she has to slow down and it drives her nuts.

Digger

Hmmm .. Black Earth ... yup, that sounds about right. Let's see - no facts to support the "argument", and an obvious misunderstanding of the law to top it all off. That letter must be a joke, no?

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=jeanne+poast+black+earth

After about the second page it gets a little weird.

Hahahahahaha!!

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=jeanne+poast+black+earth

After about the second page it gets a little weird.

Google is truly your friend...this yields better results though...

Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=%22Jeanne+Poast%22+%22Black+Earth%22&btnG=Search)

If people want me off the road, build me a track. I think that no one would like it if kids played baseball in the street, but I have no choice but to ride my bike on the road. Why, in a country of overweight people, would we harass those that exercise. Oh yeah, fat guilt.

Any suggested changes before I send it?

To: Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Governor Jim Doyle, Senator Russ Fiengold, Senator Kohl, County Exec. Kathleen Falk, Village President Jeanne Poast , Dane County Supervisors and Editors of the Wisconsin State Journal

Subject: Bicycling in Dane County

I am writing in response to a letter from Jeanne Poast, the Black Earth Village President. I am a bike rider, and take issue with many of the claims made by Jeanne Poast, and believe that the true nature of the “problem” she discusses needs to be defined.

I have ridden my bike in the area, and I have driven my car in the area, and have not seen anything that would constitute a problem. I see many bikers in the area because it is a beautiful part of the county, with many challenging hills and moderately low traffic volume. On rare occasion I have seen bikers violating laws by riding 3 abreast or by doing “rolling” stops at stop signs, but when I have approached in my car, the bikers have always yielded the road and let me pass. I have had to slow down on occasion to wait for a safe opportunity to pass a bike, but I still fail to see how this is a “problem.” Has property been damaged or people been injured by the bikers? I believe a clear definition of what the problem is needs to be addressed before any sort of “solution” can be proposed.

The Village president shows a distinct lack of understanding of the sport of biking and the laws of Wisconsin when she makes the claim “Seems the biker has alot [sic] more rights then the people who are paying for insurance, license plates and the roads we drive on!” All she needs to do is watch all the cars with bike racks driving around her community and she would notice that most of the bikers also own vehicles, and are paying fuel taxes and insurance. They also own homes and live and work in the area. Additionally, some of the highway funding is supplied from federal funds that come from federal income tax, so to claim that bikers do not financially support the roads is a false claim. It is also false to claim that bikers have more rights than other vehicles. A bike on the road is considered a vehicle. It has no more rights than a car, and is always at the mercy of the cars understanding of those rights.

Her suggestion to have bikes licensed will not solve the “problem” (whatever it is), and will create additional problems. Much of the weekend bike traffic is from out-of-state bikers coming to ride on the Ironman route. These people drive their cars into the state and pay fuel taxes from the gas that they buy in our state. They eat at restaurants, stay in motels and help to support our local economy. Implementing a state license would not affect any of these bikers since they would not be subject to the licensing rules. If they were to become subject to the licensing rules, it would seriously hamper bike tourism in the state. Additionally, the stated purpose of the license is to hold bikers accountable for breaking the law. Bikers can already be held accountable for breaking the law, so how does a license help? I am very uncomfortable with the idea of someone being cited for a violation on the basis of the claim of someone who may not understand the law as it applies to bikes.

My final concern is with the village president’s comment “After all this is a hobby!” My bike is more than just a hobby for me. It is the way I get to work, the way I get many of my groceries and something that I ride for fun. I do not see how my bike is any different than a car, other than that it takes up less space on the road, is easier to park, provides significant health benefits and goes an infinite number of miles with zero gallons of gas and zero emissions.

The Village President makes one comment that I agree with. “Laws need to be … understood better.” Bikes have the same rights as vehicles and it seems that even the Village president does not fully grasp what this means.

Wisconsin is known for being very bike friendly. My impression from the hostile letter is that the village president just wants the bikers to go away. Should you decide to support the proposal being made by Jeanne Poast, I can only assume that you no longer want Wisconsin to have this reputation. In closing, I want to remind you that bike riders pay taxes, they are a part of the community, and they vote.

Doyboy,

Your response is very good.

"Seems the biker has alot more rights then the people who are paying for insurance, license plates and the roads we drive on!"

I love this stuff. Jeanne Poast is a complete moron; plain and simple. Her rant is proof that the small town simpleton mentality is alive and well in cheeseville. F her and F her dumpy little town.

Any suggested changes before I send it?



Very good! Just one thing, how about changing bikers to cyclists? Bikers are the leather clad Hells Angels. :D

Just MHO.

Digger

P.s. I would also suggest changing Village President to Village Idiot, but that won't get us anywhere.....

Also, while it is true that occassionally cyclists violate the laws of the road, so do drivers. Personally I use hand signals, stop at lights, stop for school buses, and have been cut off by rude drivers (paying more attention to their cell phone than the road) not using their turn signals all the time.

BIKERS?

Ya mean Cyclists. Our vehicles don't need gasoline

I wanted to post a letter from a local community leader from Black Earth, a small town west of Madison, WI. It illustrates how road cyclists are viewed by the masses.

Any thoughts on solutions to pacify the masses would be appreciated! OTOH, there is no specific examples of the “problems” caused by “the biker” other than “breaking the law”. It’s difficult to solve a problem when the problem isn’t defined :rolleyes:

-murray

Many cyclists comply by traffic regulations but realistically, many also Do Not. How many times have you cut off a car because it was easier to do that than to come to a complete stop at a stop sign?

I mean, I get so angry when I see a car drive through a stop sign without stopping, yet I do it all the time on my bike.

I think the letter does sound pretty childish (they did not give any specifics as to how the bicyclists are breaking any laws, all it says is "They take over the town!") as though the cyclists are cowboys freegrazing on their land or something.

This just seems like one of those times when common courtesy needs to be practiced by both sides. I'd be pretty upset if a group of 10 cyclists going 25mph kept me from passing them on a street with a 35mph speed limit.

Very good! Just one thing, how about changing bikers to cyclists? Bikers are the leather clad Hells Angels. :D


Changed.

I do not ride as a hobby. I'm carfree!

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even the misguided.

I expect this woman would be crying for Butt tags if a marathon was held in her town.

Ms. Poast mentions a meeting next Monday at Vermont Town Hall. Are there any Cheesehead Forumites who could attend to rebut her blather in person?

P.s. I would also suggest changing Village President to Village Idiot, but that won't get us anywhere.....
:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

[QUOTE=digger]Very good! Just one thing, how about changing bikers to cyclists? Bikers are the leather clad Hells Angels.QUOTE]

How about cycos? :)

I love this stuff. Jeanne Poast is a complete moron; plain and simple. Her rant is proof that the small town simpleton mentality is alive and well in cheeseville. F her and F her dumpy little town.

Hahahah....!

Not that I'm from Wisconsin, but doesn't the cycling industry also provide a few jobs and tax revenues in that state? After all isn't Waterford based there, as well as a teeny boutique bike company called, gosh, what's the name, Journey? No, that's not right - I think it's something like Trek.

Jeanne needs to read up on the ordinances in her own little village. This is from the Black Earth Code of Ordinances:

§ 107-6. Registration required.

No person shall operate a bicycle upon any street, sidewalk, public property, bicycle pathway or public highway within the Village unless said bicycle shall first have been properly registered and an identification tag attached as hereinafter provided. Persons found in violation of this section shall be subject to a forfeiture of $10. Citations issued under this chapter shall be issued on uniform municipal citations.

However, there is an exception provided:

§ 107-12. Exemption for nonresidents.

Any nonresident may operate a bicycle in the Village which is duly registered in another municipality without obtaining Village registration if a valid unexpired identification tag of such other municipality is attached thereto or such other municipality does not require registration.

It seems that if the village of Black Earth simply revoked § 107-12, they could fine all of the cyclists taking over her roads and get $10 apiece from them! There is also an ordinance prohibiting cyclists from riding more than two abreast and one that permits the sheriff to impound any bicycle operated in an unsafe manner.

So, if Jeanne was really concerned about raising a little money, or saving Black Earth from those criminal bikers, she already has ample laws to bring to bear against the miscreants.

Of course, we all know that this is really just a rant by Jeanne because she was held up for a few minutes by some cycling club that decided to ride through her little village and she didn't get her videos back to the rental store in time to avoid the late fees. Poor woman. She was probably so upset she spilled her beer in her lap.

Oh dear, the old "rego fees" argument again, I really thought people would have woken up to this some time around 1954, but alas, some still live in caves. It's very, very simple. The real reason that nobody has charged a "rego fee" or "licence fee" on cyclists is that it just isn't economically viable. That is, Nobody has figured out a way to arrange such a system that would even cover the administration costs, let alone generate revenue (and yes, it's been looked into in Western Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and several different US states).

Forget the old "it's not fair" argument. Let's look at this realistically -- how many people would pay $1200 per annum (or whatever the car fee is) to register a bike? Now bear in mind, such a system would require the setting up of a database, and the printing of some kind of certification for those who do register. If you increase the fee to cover those costs, fewer people will register, thus eroding your revenue base. Unlike driving, cycling is not a great addiction of the masses, so it's not simply a case of "increase the fee to cover the shortfall".

This is the real (and sole) reason such a charge is not placed on cyclists. It has nothing to do with following the road rules or bludging or who costs more to provide for or any of the other rights or wrongs of the situation. It's pure economics. If Ms Poast wants to charge a "rego fee" for cyclists, the question she needs to answer is whether her and any of the other inbred small town morons are prepared to pay the taxes to cover the loss such a system would surely make. I'd suggest the answer to that one is "no".

Consequently, I'd ignore this one completely. Let them live in their own little world if they so desire. It's not going to make any difference at all to anyone else.

On our public trains here we have to carry a permit, this permit has rules and times about bikes being alloud on the trains, basicly times are as long as cyclist are'nt on the trains at peak times against the the flow of comuters. .There are bike lockers situated along some routes.Dose'nt cost any more to travel with a bike /useto.

One point the letter mentions charging a fee, regular riders would most likely reduce the health costs to the country quite dramatically especially in view of the weight epidemic, prehaps regular riding should be mandatory for all citizens as it would save the country literally billions on health, not to mention reduced parking problems in towns etc. Prehaps they should look at the big picture.

On a sympathetic note, many cyclists (myself included) DO completely ignore most rules of the road and can be somewhat insensitive.

I have had some people criticize other cyclists to me as if it were my fault. I asked them if they knew every driver on the road. They contemptuously said "No!" I then asked "Then why do you assume I know all cyclists?"

But, as Carl implies, there are some cyclists who are morons. I try to be courteous to everyone. If I'm on a narrow, winding road, and a car comes up behind me, I will find a place to pull of and let him by. The next time that guy sees a cyclists, he will be more attentive and courteous.


Anyway, this is a town w/ a pop of 1314?!?!?! Hell, there's nothing to take over! :) Morons.

1314? That's too small to even have their own village idiot! They probably have to share.

Jeanne Poast
Black Earth Village President

This b!*ch, more concerned with cyclists who ride to better themselves than more imports issues like schools, making the community drug free, etc. she should have a town meeting dicussing ways to stop the meth amphetamine flow that plagues small towns in america. this world would be a better place if more people would hop on a bike and make a commitment.

I LOVE (sarcasm) this mentality among our citizens... Have the government get involved, make more regulations, TAX a targeted (yet unrepresented) group, dump money into some ineffectual agency, and hope for tangible results!!!
Can my screams be heard as you read this?!?!??

Once she takes care of the cyclists, she'll probably target all those nasty colored people who have been driving her crazy. :rolleyes:

Honestly, I wouldn't talk about registering bikes, too loudly. Someone may hear, and if there is a way to make money off it, they will. The next thing I know, I'll have to register and insure my two girl's bikes. There'll probably even be a surcharge, since they have training wheels, and Lord knows, more wheel means a larger footprint, more wear and tear, and whatnot.

My biggest problem with what she wrote, sadly, is her complete lack of grammar, :( and her obsession with exclamation points!!!!!!!!! Holy cow!!!!!!! I'd like to beat her with one of those!!!!!!!!!

Typical of the "kill anything that impedes traffic" mentality.

Roads are *NOT* paid for by gasoline taxes and licencing fees. Add up everything you spend on licencing fees and gas taxes (you'll have to check your own state's rates for this one) in a year...could you even pave your driveway for that? Cars are by far the most subsidized form of land transportation, as well as the most toxic, dangerous and expensive. I'm sorry if my little zero-emission 18-inch-wide bike is taking up too much space on "your" road, but given that I'm paying for it as well, I don't really give a damn.

Lots of cities in the US have a bike registration ordinance. The cost is very low and it is generally not enforced. As far as I can tell, all the registration is good for is helping locate the bike's owner if is stolen and recovered or if it is locked to the mayor's reserved parking signpost.

Come on now everyone, what else are you all going to expect??? This is a small, hick-in-the-stick town that has nothing more to talk about than bu11sh1t stuff! I know how it was in the rinky-dink town where I grew up in Kentucky. They were so pathetic, and still are, on the BS topics that would be brought up at council meetings. Those little towns are usually set in their ways and anything out of the ordinary is not acceptable to them. :rolleyes: I know when I go up and cycle in my home town, I am completely out of place. Cycling for fitness is almost unheard of, and if you are riding a bicycle, then you don't have the money for a car.

This topic will pass once they have their "formal meeting on it." :rolleyes: :lol: It is such a big deal to them because they are having a council meeting on this topic. :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

...Roads are *NOT* paid for by gasoline taxes and licencing fees.

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/about/docs/budgettrend2004.pdf

Fuel taxes in WI are a major source of revenue to the DOT.

This topic gets more interesting when you are not on a cycling related board. Found this on a site for RVist and they really do not like us. I have recently seen some posts on the web where Jeanne Poast (BE's GW) sound a little less motor centric but still not that intelligent on this issue.
As to see how fit HAHAHAHA Jeanne is check out the coverage on Channel3000.com search for bikes and Black Earth (BE)
As someone form these small towns I will say we aren't all hicks, and a lot of us like to ride these roads. As for those rolling the stop signs you’re missing the point of stopping. One stops to piss drivers of even more you take the center of the lane (so the Motorist have a hard time explaining how they turned in front of you) and crank your peddles as hard as you can to do 20-30mhp for the stop and listen to the motorist squeal his tires to try and catch up. This is even more fun on the two lane streets of Madison truck drivers have the hardest time with this I have heard some gears get ground and fuel blow out the their stacks. I will say this "most" motorist just do not understand how fast a bicycle can go with the right rider on the flat city streets (25mph avg.) or downhill on a country road (40mph+).

Mutual respect is need for all who share the road.

Sounds like a common problem in this country: intolerance of anything that you don't like to do. I used to ride a motorcycle, and received very similar treatment: people in cars couldn't see me, made turns right in front of me, tailgated, expected me to get out of their way, etc. I found the best response for this type of attitude was to follow the laws. If they have nothing on us, then they are forced to deal with it. I live in a battleground (NJ) where most of the cars on the road are not registered, insured, and probably stolen. Try riding around here where you are not a cyclist, but a target.

Hmmm sounds like they need to worry more about DUI's than bikes to me. (From Channel3000.com)
Black Earth Man Faces 9th Drunken Driving Charge

POSTED: 12:58 a.m. CDT October 5, 2003

MADISON, Wis. -- Madison police arrested Richard A. Duran, 29, of Black Earth, for drunken driving early Saturday. Police say this is his ninth drunken driving arrest.

Duran faces several charges in addition to operating while under the influence of intoxicants, including criminal damage to property, resisting an officer and a probation violation.

Officers responded to a call around 3:30 a.m. that there was a vehicle parked and running in the middle of the road with its lights on in the 6600 block of Tottenham Road. They found Duran slumped over the wheel and attempted to arrest him for operating under the influence of intoxicants, but he resisted and a struggle ensued, police said.

Eventually officers got him in the back of a squad car where he kicked a window, damaging it, police said.

He is currently in the Dane County Jail.

I have never heard that bicycles HAVE to stop at a stop sign. I suspect in other states, it would be similar. Here is the law here in Idaho:


49-720. STOPPING -- TURN AND STOP SIGNALS.
(1) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and, if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.
(2) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a steady red traffic-control signal shall stop before entering the intersection, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn without stopping or may cautiously make a left-hand turn onto a one-way highway without stopping.
http://www3.state.id.us/cgi-bin/newidst?sctid=490070020.K