All Riled Up
I was feeling pretty calm this morning, until I read an article linked to by Cycle Dog. In this Opinion column in the DCist, the author discusses his right to all of the privileges of an automobile on the roads, and his right to ignore all of the laws governing the operation of automobiles when his mood dictates. This is followed by many, mostly angry comments.
I'll say up front that I have run a few stop signs and red lights in my day. However, I don't feel that I was right to do so, and I do it much less now than I used to. (I still have trouble at intersections where the lights are controlled by sensors. It seems that I don't trigger them, so after a while, I just go.)
If we want bicycles to be accepted as rightful users of the road, we have to follow all of the rules AND be cautious and courteous at all times. It only takes one self-absorbed rider to give the wrong impression that the rest of us have to live with. (And the bike delivery boys from Jimmy John's are pissing off enough drivers for all of us!)
My favorite quote from the comments is:
I'd like to direct the commenter to this post.
I'll say up front that I have run a few stop signs and red lights in my day. However, I don't feel that I was right to do so, and I do it much less now than I used to. (I still have trouble at intersections where the lights are controlled by sensors. It seems that I don't trigger them, so after a while, I just go.)
If we want bicycles to be accepted as rightful users of the road, we have to follow all of the rules AND be cautious and courteous at all times. It only takes one self-absorbed rider to give the wrong impression that the rest of us have to live with. (And the bike delivery boys from Jimmy John's are pissing off enough drivers for all of us!)
My favorite quote from the comments is:
My question is, how should drivers react to someone on a bike who wants to take up a whole lane, but is going 10mph down say Key Bridge or Wisconsin Ave during rush hour?
I'd like to direct the commenter to this post.
posted by Dan at 7:07 AM
3 Comments:
I agree that all riders should obey traffic laws whenever possible but I have to disagree with the notion that one self-absorbed rider ruins it for the rest of us.
I get buzzed by self-absorbed drivers all the time and I don't hold it against any of the other drivers whom I see obeying the laws and treating me with respect.
If a driver wants to generalize all riders because he sees one dope running a red-light or riding the wrong way on a one way street, that falls under the category of his problem, not ours.
The truth is, motorists who have that attitude are going to have that attitude regardless of how many law-abiding cyclists they see.
You're probably right. I guess I'm the optimistic sort that thinks we can change the world.
Dan,
Some of the drivers over on my side of town leave a LOT to be desired! Your side of the river is a lot more cycle friendly, believe me!
Post a Comment
<< Home