Originally Posted by CommuterRun
I had a conversation with a non-cycling driver a while back. Went something like this.
<Idle chit-chat leading up to the good part.>
Motorist: "The government really needs to do something about the price of gas. The oil speculators have us over a barrel and it's starting to really hurt."
Me: "Really? I hadn't particularly noticed."
Motorist: <incredulous> "You haven't noticed three dollar a gallon gas? What kind of car do you drive?"
Me: "Well, a Toyota Highlander, but it's for the wife and kids. My primary transportation is a bicycle."
Motorist: <more incredulous> "A bicycle? On these roads? How do you get around without getting run over?"
Me: "Why would you run over me?"
Motorist: "Not me, the other drivers."
Me: "Why would you think you're a better driver than everyone else? What do you measure that by?"
Motorist: "Well, um....err. Haven't you seen all the idiots on the road?"
Me: "Not particularly. Every once in awhile somebody will pull a bone-head move, but from what I see, either on the bike or in the car, drivers in this area are, for the most part, excellent."
Motorist: "You're gonna' get killed out there."
Me: "Why would you want to kill me?"
Motorist: "Unbelievable." <walks off>