Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

(NY) State Senator Jeff Klein curses the wrong cyclist

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

(NY) State Senator Jeff Klein curses the wrong cyclist

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-18-08 | 09:33 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: New York City

Bikes: 2006 Dahon D7, 2015 Kona Minute

(NY) State Senator Jeff Klein curses the wrong cyclist

See the article in Gothamist.
dschwarz is offline  
Reply
Old 09-18-08 | 09:49 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL

Bikes: Trek SU100, Surly Cross Check

Sweet site pimp bro
itsthewoo is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 07:16 AM
  #3  
genec's Avatar
genec
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27,072
Likes: 4,533
From: West Coast

Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2

if the cyclist had been taking the lane in that slow traffic, this would not have happened.
genec is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 07:36 AM
  #4  
neilfein's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,798
Likes: 1
From: Highland Park, NJ, USA

Bikes: "Hildy", a Novara Randonee touring bike; a 16-speed Bike Friday Tikit; and a Specialized Stumpjumper frame-based built-up MTB, now serving as the kid-carrier, grocery-getter.

Originally Posted by genec
if the cyclist had been taking the lane in that slow traffic, this would not have happened.
Yeah, that's helpful, Criticize the cyclist who almost got killed.
__________________
Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix

My bands:
neilfein is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 07:48 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by itsthewoo
Sweet site pimp bro
Genmayism.

For what it's worth, that actually was an interesting read.
RazorWind is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 08:19 AM
  #6  
genec's Avatar
genec
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27,072
Likes: 4,533
From: West Coast

Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2

Originally Posted by neilfein
Yeah, that's helpful, Criticize the cyclist who almost got killed.
There are certain circumstances where the cyclist can do plenty to avoid being killed.

Taking the lane in slower traffic is one.

Not running red lights is another.

Not riding in door zones is another.

Keeping left on approach and through intersections is another.

NOT doing any of the above is the cyclists' choice, and thus will tend to put the cyclist in harms way.

I am not "blaming" the cyclist; just pointing out that he put himself in that position... clearly indicated by this comment from the cyclist:
Traffic was moving rather slowly and you were heading in the downtown direction, as was I. You were in the far left lane and I was riding on the curbside of that lane, near your rear passenger door. Suddenly, you began to veer your Mercedes to the left, potentially crushing me between your car and the cars parked on the side of the road.
Now let me go on and say that indeed the driver was at fault, for failing to check mirrors before moving and then having a crappy attitude, and valuing his auto paint above that of a human life.

But cyclists should really work to avoid putting themselves into harms way... especially when, no matter who is right or wrong, the cyclist loses.

I think that this issue of shared roads and the convoluted "transportation policy" in the US really has to be resolved... unfortunately, the majority is just as likely to vote bikes off the road.

To further comment, I borrow from a great cycling cartoon...


Last edited by genec; 09-19-08 at 08:33 AM.
genec is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 08:44 AM
  #7  
SouthFLpix's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL

Bikes: 2007 Giant Cypress DX, Windsor Tourist 2011

I had no idea that a U.S. Senator would ever speak using such language. Tisk, tisk.....
SouthFLpix is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 08:52 AM
  #8  
Riding Two Abreast
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA

Bikes: Fuji Track

uh, this is manhattan they're talking about. the far left lane is not the 'slow lane,' as he said the far left was a curbside lane, which implies that it was on a one-way street. people will be making abrupt stops from the left lane as well, so if any lane is the 'fast lane', it's the middle lane[s]. also, if he made a left onto the street or was turning left in the near future, this was a much more prudent move than crossing multiple lanes of traffic to ride on the right for a few blocks, then cross all those lanes again to make a left.
units is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 08:52 AM
  #9  
GV27's Avatar
Light Makes Right
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 0
From: Green Mountain, Colorado

Bikes: Gianni Motta Criterium, Dean Hardtail

He's not a US senator.
GV27 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 08:56 AM
  #10  
SouthFLpix's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL

Bikes: 2007 Giant Cypress DX, Windsor Tourist 2011

Originally Posted by GV27
He's not a US senator.
Oh, quite right....it would have been more accurate of me to have said "a Senator in the United States Congress", since we now have Senators that do not represent specific states. Still....I'm quite shocked at that language.
SouthFLpix is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 08:58 AM
  #11  
Hot Potato's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 0
From: Western Chicagoland
Uh, following a car closely near the passenger rear door?

Without being judgemental, I would only point out that many vehicles have BLIND SPOTS from the operator's point of view , spots where it is harder to see an object in. While I do not relieve any operator of a vehicle the responsibility to make sure no one is in such a blind spot, I would caution any person, on foot, on bike, or on a motorized vehicle, to learn where these spots are and NEVER DWELL IN THEM any longer than is necessary. Sure you won't be at fault, but you are more likely to be involved should you dwell there.
Hot Potato is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 09:04 AM
  #12  
Febs's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: Ridley Park, PA
Originally Posted by SouthFLpix
Oh, quite right....it would have been more accurate of me to have said "a Senator in the United States Congress", since we now have Senators that do not represent specific states. Still....I'm quite shocked at that language.
No, he is not a member of the United States Senate. He is a member of the New York State Senate.
Febs is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 09:56 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Berkeley, CA

Bikes: Raleigh Mojave 2.0, Dahon Speed D7

Originally Posted by RazorWind
Genmayism.

For what it's worth, that actually was an interesting read.
i guess i dont read the general forum enough at genmay anymore to get it, lol
BBnet3000 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 10:23 AM
  #14  
Ka_Jun's Avatar
Who farted?
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA

Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V

Nice.
Ka_Jun is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 10:25 AM
  #15  
nashcommguy
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,499
Likes: 0
From: nashville, tn

Bikes: Commuters: Fuji Delray road, Fuji Discovery mtb...Touring: Softride Traveler...Road: C-dale SR300

Originally Posted by dschwarz
See the article in Gothamist.
No, he cursed the 'right' cyclist. The 'wrong' cyclist would've given him the ***-whipping he so richly deserved right then and there...or at least a couple of good, solid shots. He's fortunate to have cursed a guy who was in complete control of himself and will use this opportunity to 'force' the Senator to engage him as an equal. The Senator needs to recognize if he doesn't accomodate this cyclist his political career is functionally over. The Senator, also needs to know he's in the 'servant' class not the 'ruling' class. Never underestimate the power of a 'righteous' man. Would encourage all who post to BF to write to the Senator expressing your opinion of the exchange. Nothing like 'public' scorn to shame a 'public' official into appropriate behavior.

Someone posted awhile back: "The moral of the story. Keep your mouth shut if you're not prepared to fight." Obviously, the Senator wasn't prepared and the cyclist was and continues to be.
nashcommguy is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 11:12 AM
  #16  
genec's Avatar
genec
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27,072
Likes: 4,533
From: West Coast

Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2

Originally Posted by nashcommguy
no, he cursed the 'right' cyclist. The 'wrong' cyclist would've given him the ***-whipping he so richly deserved right then and there...or at least a couple of good, solid shots. He's fortunate to have cursed a guy who was in complete control of himself and will use this opportunity to 'force' the senator to engage him as an equal. The senator needs to recognize if he doesn't accomodate this cyclist his political career is functionally over. The senator, also needs to know he's in the 'servant' class not the 'ruling' class. Never underestimate the power of a 'righteous' man. Would encourage all who post to bf to write to the senator expressing your opinion of the exchange. Nothing like 'public' scorn to shame a 'public' official into appropriate behavior.

Someone posted awhile back: "the moral of the story. Keep your mouth shut if you're not prepared to fight." obviously, the senator wasn't prepared and the cyclist was and continues to be.
+1000.
genec is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 12:05 PM
  #17  
GATC
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 183
From: south Puget Sound
Originally Posted by SouthFLpix
Oh, quite right....it would have been more accurate of me to have said "a Senator in the United States Congress", since we now have Senators that do not represent specific states. Still....I'm quite shocked at that language.
Now I really don't know what you're talking about.
HardyWeinberg is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 12:56 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by HardyWeinberg
Now I really don't know what you're talking about.
He thought the guy was a regular Senator hailing from New York, such as Schumer or Clinton.... Is that so hard to grasp!?
stevo9er is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 01:12 PM
  #19  
genec's Avatar
genec
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27,072
Likes: 4,533
From: West Coast

Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2

Originally Posted by Hot Potato
Uh, following a car closely near the passenger rear door?

Without being judgemental, I would only point out that many vehicles have BLIND SPOTS from the operator's point of view , spots where it is harder to see an object in. While I do not relieve any operator of a vehicle the responsibility to make sure no one is in such a blind spot, I would caution any person, on foot, on bike, or on a motorized vehicle, to learn where these spots are and NEVER DWELL IN THEM any longer than is necessary. Sure you won't be at fault, but you are more likely to be involved should you dwell there.
Very much agreed.
genec is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 01:19 PM
  #20  
lil brown bat's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,878
Likes: 1
From: Boston (sort of)

Bikes: 1 road, 1 Urban Assault Vehicle

Originally Posted by stevo9er
He thought the guy was a regular Senator hailing from New York, such as Schumer or Clinton.... Is that so hard to grasp!?
Given that it's incorrect, yes. There's no such thing as a "regular senator" -- in the United States, a senator is either a member of the United States Senate or a member of a state senate -- and no US senators who do not represent a US state (the "shadow senators" for DC are not actually members of congress).
lil brown bat is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 01:35 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 0
From: Reston, VA

Bikes: 2003 Giant OCR2

Originally Posted by lil brown bat
Given that it's incorrect, yes. There's no such thing as a "regular senator" -- in the United States, a senator is either a member of the United States Senate or a member of a state senate -- and no US senators who do not represent a US state (the "shadow senators" for DC are not actually members of congress).
I'm praying that the guy you responded to was being sarcastic, playing off of the occasions in which NY has elected 'representatives' who have spent about as much time in NY as someone with a layover at LaGuardia.

Otherwise, God help our educational system.
Mr. Underbridge is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 01:35 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Why bother, haha.

Last edited by stevo9er; 09-19-08 at 01:40 PM.
stevo9er is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 01:41 PM
  #23  
bakaster's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Isla Vista (Santa Barbara) and Berkeley

Bikes: 1979 Motobecane Nomade Sprint, homegrown fixie

Originally Posted by Hot Potato
Uh, following a car closely near the passenger rear door?

Without being judgemental, I would only point out that many vehicles have BLIND SPOTS from the operator's point of view , spots where it is harder to see an object in. While I do not relieve any operator of a vehicle the responsibility to make sure no one is in such a blind spot, I would caution any person, on foot, on bike, or on a motorized vehicle, to learn where these spots are and NEVER DWELL IN THEM any longer than is necessary. Sure you won't be at fault, but you are more likely to be involved should you dwell there.
more than once, i have been no where near a blind spot and people have almost killed me by not seeing me. this includes on my bike, and motorcycle, with lights on and what not.
bakaster is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 02:08 PM
  #24  
JeffS's Avatar
not a role model
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 2
From: Portland, OR
Originally Posted by RazorWind
Genmayism.

For what it's worth, that actually was an interesting read.
It's still the equivalent of spamming.
JeffS is offline  
Reply
Old 09-19-08 | 02:38 PM
  #25  
huhenio's Avatar
Barbieri Telefonico
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Bikes: Crappy but operational secondhand Motobecane Messenger

He is another tard in a mercedes ... what surprise.

Get a BMW, senator ... your car sucks
__________________
Giving Haircuts Over The Phone
huhenio is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.