How about understanding that this guy is pretty much at the point most, if not all, of us were when we were little kids and didn't know any better. KILL THE BASTARD!

Here's the thing...we lived. Hell most of us got around pretty damned good on the sidewalks and making our own rules...what we learned we learned from experience or by some teaching. These people who scare you so might too, or they might continue to muddle along their own way - oh well. Lighten up, all you Francises out there, there are plenty of other things in this life our ours to get all hot and bothered over. ;)

As far as ILTB goes, I always get a giggle when noobs get offended by him. Heck he and I about killed each other when we first 'met' years ago...till we actually talked to each other and got over it...now he's my character indicator. Those who can get past how he says things to understand what he's saying have a clue...those that can't, don't. He's a good guy...and we need his perspective on things around here when so many seem to follow and parrot the Joneses. ;)

You forgot 5: he ran into a car!

Pretty much. Though, he's allowed to call people "dorks".

===============

But he wasn't a kid. And nobody talked about killing him.

chipcom,
Yes, I did stupid stuff kind of like that when I was a kid, too. But then I guess I hit whatever magic age is it when you no longer want to die recklessly (25, perhaps? The car rental companies must have a reason for that cut-off). And, yes I agree that the guy must be a newb (otherwise he never would have survived for too long), so your point is taken. I'm not really trying to "pile on," but the gist of the thread is, as Forrest Gump so sagely said, "Stupid is as stupid does."

As for your character-reference for ILTB, I guess I'll take your word for it!

Just wanted to check if the ones slamming ladyraestewart, have met their objective of feeling superior.

Hi Ladyrae.....I too live in Austin. Sometimes I ride on the sidewalk and I am glad it IS legal in most of Austin. Be advised that when I ride on the sidewalk it is typically somewhere where the street traffic is extremely hostile and the sidewalk is not heavily used. I am more likely to be on a sidewalk where very few driveways intersect. I will yield to pedestrians, but will try to avoid sidewalks with significant pedestrian traffic. When I approach a drive I scan the parking lot AND I look over my left shoulder for any car that could turn in -- signals or not. It is claimed that sidewalk riding statistics show it to be far more dangerous than street riding. This is not because it is inherently more dangerous, but because a high percentage of sidewalk riders are the clueless type like you recently observed. Sidewalk riding on those sidewalks that are potentially amenable to cycling traffic is as safe or as dangerous as the rider makes it.

Don in Austin

I disagree strongly and think 'ladyraestewart' hit it right on the head.

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Do you have any estimate on how often this very sort of thing has been posted here? In light of your estimate, what added value did you propose making with this thread?

Thursday, May 12, 2011, at approximately 8:40 a.m. CST.

If you do not want to read it, then do not read it and your problem will be solved.