(NY) State Senator Jeff Klein curses the wrong cyclist
09-18-08, 09:33 PM
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09-19-08, 07:16 AM
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if the cyclist had been taking the lane in that slow traffic, this would not have happened.
09-19-08, 07:36 AM
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09-19-08, 08:19 AM
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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:
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...
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.
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.
09-19-08, 08:44 AM
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I had no idea that a U.S. Senator would ever speak using such language. Tisk, tisk.....
09-19-08, 08:52 AM
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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.
09-19-08, 08:58 AM
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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.
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.
09-19-08, 09:04 AM
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No, he is not a member of the United States Senate. He is a member of the New York State Senate.
09-19-08, 09:56 AM
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09-19-08, 10:25 AM
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See the article in Gothamist.
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.
09-19-08, 11:12 AM
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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.
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.
09-19-08, 12:05 PM
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Now I really don't know what you're talking about.
09-19-08, 12:56 PM
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09-19-08, 01:12 PM
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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.
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.
09-19-08, 01:19 PM
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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).
09-19-08, 01:35 PM
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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).
Otherwise, God help our educational system.
09-19-08, 01:41 PM
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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.
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.
09-19-08, 02:38 PM
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He is another tard in a mercedes ... what surprise.
Get a BMW, senator ... your car sucks
Get a BMW, senator ... your car sucks
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