The Driver Privilege Checklist

1. If I am hurt or killed while driving, unless I am intoxicated or grossly negligent, I will not be blamed for my decision to drive.

2. If I live in North America, my driving is subsidized by my local, regional, and federal government, who provide roads and infrastructure. This subsidy is far beyond that given to any other form of daily transportation.

3. Learning to drive is a rite of passage, seen as a normal and necessary step towards adulthood, whereas other forms of transport are seen as childish or impractical.

4. If I choose to transport my children in a car, I will not be called a bad parent or berated for doing so.

5. If my child is injured or killed while in my car, I will not be blamed for their death unless I was intoxicated or otherwise grossly negligent.

6. If while driving I injure or kill another person, whether they are another driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, unless I am intoxicated or otherwise grossly negligent this will be seen nothing more than a regrettable accident.

7. Large areas of the city, suburb, or rural area I live in are built and laid out with driving in mind to the exclusion of other forms of transportation, and may be totally inaccessible to non-drivers.

8. While travelling I do not have to experience cold, heat, rain, or snow for more than a few moments unless I choose to.

9. I can complain to friends, family, and aquaintances about minor accidents and other annoyances without being told that I should stop driving.

10. It is easier for me than it is for non-drivers to buy many staple goods, such as groceries, as they are often sold in car-centric locations which are difficult to access by other means of transport. I also have the advantage of more easily buying in bulk.

11. Unless I am very extravagant, the money I spend on purchasing and running my car is not seen as wasted, as a car is seen as a necessity.

And the most obvious:

12. While in transit, I am protected by a 2-tonne metal machine which is faster, stronger, and more durable than anything else I encounter on the road besides larger cars and trucks. If I am in a collision with a pedestrian or a cyclist, even if I am not at fault, I am much more likely to escape without serious injury or death.

13. The roads shall be constructed so as to allow me to park my car next to my destination, even if my parked car creates a hazard to other people.

Most (all?) of those points are indisputable, but this is the system we have built. I agree it could be better, and admire those who work hard to improve it. I just try to fit in while pedaling around. It seems to work well enough for me. (and many others)

1. Cyclists can run red lights and stop signs, right in front of a cop, and rarely get a ticket (at least around here).

2. Cyclists can go "off road" when convenient to get a better route.

3. Cyclists can more easily avoid traffic jams. In fact, when a traffic jam happens, the cyclist holds a large advantage over drivers.

I could go on...

Please, go on.... hijack away - you already look like a jackwagon now so might as well enjoy it.

Do.

(It's good to realize that #1 isn't universal, but ... you were going well, so why stop?)

(And for the record, I don't see it as a hijack or "jackwagon" material like some others might -- more an obvious, complimentary position.)

It is a hijack, obviously doohickie could have started another thread if he was serious instead of screwing with this one. Too bad.

14. If my commute to work is interupted by weather, mechanical difficulties, (car will not start), or traffic my employer shall pay for any lost time.

If you just want to post your opinions and only have people praise and agree with you, this is the wrong forum.



For that matter...wrong world.

If you want to contribute to the discussion about a driver's privilege, it's ok with me.

Otherwise lets stay on topic.

Cyclists have nicer asses.

13. the degree to which all of the previous are true is because, as a driver, I represent the vast majority of adults in this country.

14. Like all other folks in this country I act as is only my needs matter, and everyone else is an inconvenience to me.

4. Cyclists have the right to tailgate since we use the french term 'pelaton'

5. Cyclists expect all of the rights of other road users, but are much more flexible when it comes to their responsibilities.

6. Being a minority group, cyclists are required to have a persecution complex.

This one has, unfortunately, far less truth in it.

What a load of bovine excrement.

Oh, and it's "peloton'.

Don't bother... instead how about a driver privilege #15!

#15: I will only respect machines, and the operators thereof, who are substantially larger than me, and can produce instant catastrophic damage through their lesser skills.

Haha, true true... recently had somebody state this as the law of the jungle. Funny because he looked like a monkey.

Uh...Since you made no point in your original post, how is it that electrik's post was a hijack? It seemed to be apropos and fit right in to me.

My point, if you will, is that there are two sides to the story. Yes, motorists enjoy many privileges. But so do cyclists. You make your choice, you have to live with the privileges and consequences. The fact that motorists enjoy certain privileges does not make cyclists morally superior to them. If you like to ride, ride. Find what works best for you and do it. But don't go all inferiority complex about the privileges of drivers.

In short, quit yer whinin'.

How, in the face of epidemic rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory ailments and roadway injuries, can you state that cyclists are not morally superior to those who choose motor vehicles to meet their transportation desires? Add in climate change and the economic and other damages done by propping up oil and it is really case closed. Pointing out a problem that should be obvious to all but apparently isn't is not the same as whining.

i hope electrik didn't waste the time thinking all that up and it was a copy and paste.

there is a definite entitlement problem inside american automobiles. i'm blaming it on the fumes

Wow, are you over the top. I bet you think your **** doesn't stink, either.

A & S is always good for an entertaining scratch-fight.....

I know, right?