Something amusing on my way to work...
05-10-07, 01:53 PM
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Something amusing on my way to work...
I came to a stoplight at a fairly busy intersection on a main street that heads downtown. The cross street leads directly onto the onramp to a main freeway. As I approached the light, I notice a car stuck in the intersection. Cars crossing in front are whizzing by, not letting the stuck car pass, while cars crossing behind are maneuvering around the rear. What amused me was that the cars crossing behind were running over plastic bollards that had been embedded into the asphalt, just to get to their onramp and save a few minutes. Some did make the attempt to go between the bollards, but many just ran over them. The bollards sprung back, although standing a little less straight now.
What I gleaned from this moment is that:
1. The car stuck in the intersection probably rushed into the intersection without thinking about the light change.
2. The cars crossing in front didn't care about the stuck car and refused to slow or stop to let it pass.
3. The cars crossing behind would have plowed over just about anything to avoid being delayed!
There were about 3 other cyclists behind me that were also wondering WTF is going on.
Makes me glad to be on a bike, but a little scared as well.
What I gleaned from this moment is that:
1. The car stuck in the intersection probably rushed into the intersection without thinking about the light change.
2. The cars crossing in front didn't care about the stuck car and refused to slow or stop to let it pass.
3. The cars crossing behind would have plowed over just about anything to avoid being delayed!
There were about 3 other cyclists behind me that were also wondering WTF is going on.
Makes me glad to be on a bike, but a little scared as well.
Last edited by lshobo; 05-11-07 at 10:26 PM.
05-10-07, 01:59 PM
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You should have herded the cars to rescue the stuck motorist. 
If not successful you could have met either a cute EMT or a cute mortician.
If not successful you could have met either a cute EMT or a cute mortician.
05-10-07, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by lshobo
plastic bollards that had been embedded into the asphalt
05-10-07, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by mparker326
So that is what those things are called. Never mind the bollards. . .
Who knows? The OP speaks with such authority I just used the same term. For all I know he totally made it up.
05-10-07, 03:04 PM
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Who knows? The OP speaks with such authority I just used the same term. For all I know he totally made it up.
That intersection is pretty bad. One could easily become embedded into the asphalt as well if they're not careful.
05-11-07, 01:16 PM
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Originally Posted by lshobo
What I gleamed from this moment is that:
05-11-07, 10:25 PM
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Since we're talking words here, it's gleaned not gleamed.
Workweek is over. Happy weekend riding, guys.
05-12-07, 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by slowandsteady
Sometimes cyclists are just another bollard.
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