Originally Posted by barleyrocket
Lem, I think that there is more to it than just doing things for your convenience and that if it effects someone else that is their problem. When you act in a way that causes irritation to another, it will most likely not come back on you it will come back on your 2 wheeled brethren. I realize you won’t change. You can’t change the mind of someone that doesn’t want to listen. I’m just saying you are looking at it from a very selfish perspective.
You are trying not to be inconvenienced. This is not the same thing as been the only vehicle at a stop light and you can’t set off the sensor, you talk about passing someone. That’s just inconsiderate. Plain and simple.
I understand and sympthise with your opinion. That is why I tried to stress the 'Me' and 'Them'
heirchy of problemage but maybe it didint come across right. Something is always going to irritate
another person. I have a strong dislike of barking dogs. When I tell this to people 95% of them are
going to look at me like Im crazy but do they make any effort to stop thier dog from barking ?
That becomes a 'Me' problem and I am the only one who has power over what level of irritation I
am going to inflict upon myself before I let go of what in reality is a very trivial matter to everyone
but me. I also believe people hate motorcycles and bicycles for reasons that would be too many to
list here. With bikes, it is mainly that if you cause a car to have to slow down at all they react
very negatively....they honk, throw something, crowd you, etc....
I know this is going to happen so I just let it go....As a two-wheeler I head out volutarily
with the knowledge that every car has been inconveneinced by a slower moving object and
is aleady irate if they see a another potential slow-down ahead....After all....Those WWF and
Nascar collectibles might be sold out if they arrive at WaL-Mart 15 seconds later than they
might of......But, I digress
sorry !
Here in Pa it is a very, very hostile environment to anything two wheeled. Someone is always
going to be mad at you for something. I consider cyclists being very unselfish in that you are
NOT another car for them to be stuck behind in a long line at a light, you are NOT taking up a parking
spot, I personally always wave them on at intersections as a little impromtu gesture of friendliness......
I make a supreme effort to not impede thier forward motion in any way whatsoever.
People pick how they want to be an ambassador for themselves. I always act in a non-confrontational,
passive manner that an introspective and considerate driver would never have a problem with.
I dont feel I should have to try to convert all people or constantly worry about what a total
stranger thinks of me. That to me is not realistic. In otherwards, if the two people who I just
passed on the shoulder at the red light are upset about it I am sure they didnt like me even before
they saw me. I cant possibly change that attitude towards me and selfish as it might seem I am
not worried about it because I know I have done absolutely nothing to alter thier forward
motion or day for that matter. Although you will disagree with me on this I want to reiterate that
I do a lot of things that other people would see as responsible riding. So, to respond to you saying
"I wont be inconvenienced" I would disagree and say I have no problem with being inconvenienced,
I just let different times and situations determine those inconveniences than you might.
Please ride safely !