Comments on: Safety in numbers

By: chris

chris — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:17:54 +0000

My two theories:
1. Cyclists are like dogs — they tend to misbehave in packs.
2. Drivers who get pissed off at cyclists do so for good reason. They are cooped up in an expensive cage that heightens stress and increases frustration. We, on the other hand, are out having fun.

By: Larry T

Larry T — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:45:09 +0000

In the US motorists see two basic types of cyclists — a) the OWI/DWI or poor immigrants who ride Sprawl-Mart specials as transportation b) the lycra clad, narrow-assed (not describing myself personally!) folks out on their bikes for what is essentially fun/enjoyment/exercise. Neither of these groups seem important to motorists as they’re either poor folks who don’t deserve any respect in general or they’re people out there clogging up “MY” road for no good reason. Only more people on bicycles (as in European cities) will ever change this situation. But with cheap gas and cash-for-clunkers programs there’s not much incentive to popularize cycling. Italy recently offered a govt incentive to get more folks to purchase bicycles, e-bikes and less polluting motor scooters than the old two-stroke Vespas with great success — but good luck getting any similar incentives in the US of A!

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:37:08 +0000

As a cyclist and a motorcyclist I see this alliance as having more synergy that the NRA. We both suffer from the inatention of motorist (bikers call them “cagers” and in being in a cage). And both groups have there share of…for lack of a better word…assholes. I for one always give a “bikes salute” to passing motorcyclist and more offten than not, it is returned.

By: Jeff in PetroMetro

Jeff in PetroMetro — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:42:38 +0000

Khal,

Part of me says aligning with an organization as big as the NRA would be a pretty effective way to get near the front of the line and be heard. But then I think about what happened to the Republican party when it aligned itself with the religious right. At the time, the Republican party was perceived to be more like the stern, fiscally responsible father-figure and less like the batshit crazy aunt and uncle from the single-wide meth lab at the end of the dirt road down by the river.

By: khal spencer

khal spencer — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:22:16 +0000

The reason I suggested that was the NRA actually seems to be an effective lobbying organization. We could learn something.

By: James

James — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:42:29 +0000

Can’t say that I agree with aligning with Heston’s left nut, but then again the 10 cyclists I saw today who were riding a) against traffic, b) without lights, c) on a sidewalk when a posted bike lane was readily available, or d) all of the above. Now, I can’t preach that I am perfect, but the few times I have done any one of these things, it makes me look like the twit. Obeying the traffic laws seems to be the minority, so maybe we should carry some steel to take care of the rest of those miscreants.

By: B Lester

B Lester — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:25:07 +0000

My 11 year old daughter and I were riding down the local bike trail Sunday- looking for caterpillars. I was on my Litespeed MTB, as the road bike is geared too high for our leisurely rides. We were riding two abreast on the eight foot trail, greeting joggers and families, and having a nice time. Suddenly I was buzzed by one of my fellow local roadies, at speed, just inches away, with nary a word escaping his lips. I screamed, “It goes ‘on your left’!”

Whatta doofus- I was livid. No wonder they want to rub us out.

By: khal spencer

khal spencer — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:46:16 +0000

In all seriousness, I’ve thought for a while that cyclists and the NRA should work together. Both organizations are minorities fighting for the right to do their thing in spite of public pressures towards restricting their activities, often as the result of rationales not well thought through.

By: Downhill Bill

Downhill Bill — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:16:10 +0000

I’ve been waiting years for a lycra jersey with a big NRA logo on the back, “They’ll take my gun away…” etc. printed below that.

On the other side, one of the local racing teams is fining their members $10 for each offense of running a stop sign and the like. I just wish the cops would ticket anyone and everyone riding a bike on the wrong side of the road.

By: khal spencer

khal spencer — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:42:36 +0000

I think the back and forth propaganda and agit-prop has done its work. Everyone on both sides is primed for battle. The Two-Minute Hate and all that jazz.

Hmmm…a cell phone is nice, but in a real bad spot, nothing replaces good old Smith and Wesson iron. I’d like to invent an iPhone with a single shot derringer built in. It would be aligned with the camera lens so you would aim by pointing the camera. 9 mm or 38 Special hollowpoint might do.

“and you thought I was just going to take your picture?”