LoRoK

So I was riding home tonight and I was thinking how it seems that people think of bicycles as something kids do. Know what I mean? And then sometimes we cyclists get all uppity about it and start demanding that we be treated as equals and whatnot. Well, think about this: If we gain the equality that we whine about not having, know what will happen? We'll all have to get licensed and insured. That would suck. I don't ever really want that to happen. I'm poor.

hairnet

I think you have the wrong idea. It isn't that people want bikes to be treated as cars but rather to have the rights we already have be upheld. Cops descriminating against cyclists and take the favor of motorists, that sort of thing. I might be wrong

rustybrown

Insightful.

I just really want a little respect from other traffic. Which, generally happens. It's the few near-death experiences... Hard to shake that feeling and put it in the back of your mind. And to think it probably didn't even occur to, or phase the automobile driver. They have no idea.

I'm poor, too.

docboyd

Yea well i think the fact that we don't have to do these things account for a large portion of the hate hah...they're all secretly jealous

hairnet

But a large number of riders also drive cars, so they do those things. It's just stupid hate

PlattsVegas

I do not personally believe that motorists/police/non-cycling-public harbor any antagonistic feelings toward cyclists. When I ride, especially on public roads, I find that some motorists just don't know how to react when they encounter a cyclist. This can be irksome, but I don't think they mean to piss us off. This being said, I live in a small, affluent community so my experience likely differs from those of you who live in urban areas. Regarding police, most of my encounters came when I was riding BMX, grinding on loading docks and such. The cops claimed this was a destruction of property. It pissed me off, but they have a point. Take a walk in the other's shoes to gain a better understanding.

ScottRock

Here's the thing with "equality": both sides, cycle advocates and opponents (for lack of a better term), are having two different arguments. I'm constantly exposed to this whole bike lane crapover that has everyone in NYC all hot and bothered. Cycle advocates here see bike lanes as safety measures--a way of ensuring equality of outcomes, you might say. Opponents see bike lanes as special treatment--a way of disrupting equality of opportunities, you might say. So you have two separate definitions of equality: one aims to equalize the death rates of cyclists and motorists, and the other focuses on equal facilities for cyclists and motorists. Both are valid arguments. Both are founded on completely segregate premises.

The whole "cyclists should be licensed" argument is a canard. By that reasoning anyone who doesn't own a car should be exempt from any taxation that goes towards street maintenance. Besides, it doesn't have anything to do with safety. It's liability, for one, but most of all it's just the destructive half of envy: the "screw you" half, instead of the "advance myself" half. Maybe it's because there are no rights for motorists to advance in this situation, or that there ARE rights for cyclists to advance, that drives people to the "screw you" mindset.

Being a motorcyclist as well, the cycling community has it pretty swell in terms of support for cyclist-oriented reforms. Most of that, though, is structural--there ARE things local government can do with infrastructure to enhance cyclist safety, for instance. With motorcyclists, all we can do is print bumper stickers and run ads. It protects us from equality arguments, sure, but makes the unfortunate ones no less dead for that.

dookie

insightful indeed.

i think this captures it well, at least where i live. mostly acceptance from the drivers, occasionally an extra dose of passive/aggressive throttle and an exhaust bath...but you know what? i'll take that.

it's the sideswipe-you-while-texting, in-front-of-you-slam-on-the-brake, hamburger-throwing, break-a-beer-bottle-in-the-bike-lane-immediately-in-front-of-you, door-opening, push-you-off-onto-the-shoulder, shoot-you-with-a-pellet-gun outliers that bug me.

in a couple decades of riding, i've seen all of that. thankfully, not often.

captsven

With the price of gas going up and more people commuting on bikes, I think this is inevitable. There is too much revenue for the man to pass up!

ianjk

Picture somewhat related.

JohnDorian

4&5 in that list seem a bit redundant....

hairnet

I think they mean the dude on the junk MTB delivering chinese food

FastJake

What's "the box"?

JesusBananas

It's the intersection.

evangelinegale

not the wrong idea at all. many of the laws set for cyclists are awesome, many cyclists just don't realize this because these laws are not respected by motorists or enforced by police. i don't car to be treated like a car cause in fact i'm not a car. i do not destroy the roads i use, i don't use fossil fuels, and i am not a lane wide.

JesusBananas

. . . your mom is a lane wide.



I am totally helping.

LoRoK

Nice work sir. I approve.

rustybrown

Got buzzed and honked on empty road tonight. Unnecessary.

hairnet

someone did that to me after his crying girlfriend got out the car

rustybrown

Did you get her number?

hairnet

I figured they're both psychos

rustybrown

Crazy broads are the best. But more hotel, than your place.

Diassopoint.

hairnet

I'm no lady's man anyway

rustybrown

Practice skiddz and barspinnnz. Your outlook will change.

JesusBananas

Words to live by: don't stick your dick in crazy.