Originally Posted by closetbiker
People do all kinds of stupid things.
I work with 2 guys that do this (wrong side of the road, no lights at night) and after talking and explaining things with them about it, they still think what they're doing is right. You'd be amazed at how strongly they feel what they're doing is right.
I think people have to work out for themselves what the best thing is for them to do. If they don't see reason in something (no matter how reasonable) they won't do it.
Ditto. Any time I have tried to explain to anyone why it's important to ride with traffic, use a headlight, obey red lights, etc. the reactions have never been positive. They have, on occasion, been confrontational. Thus, I no longer do this. The "who are YOU to tell ME what to do?" attitude runs very strong.
In my immediate area, the most frequent offenders can be seen riding in and out of Brandeis University. That's supposed to be an expensive school, requiring smarts to gain admission. And they don't know enough to use a headlight when riding at night? The most common offense: They ride down the sidewalks on South Street without headlights, in the dark. This is not a zoned business district, so technically, it's legal. At least once per year, between October and May, there will be an accident involving a sidewalk-riding cyclist from Brandeis. These accidents will either be with a pedestrian, or a driver who simply didn't see the cyclist ride off the sidewalk.
I wouldn't bother trying to tell any Brandeis students about the state's bicycle laws. I just know the only result would be a blank stare.
Ahh, another rant over and done with..
