On Sunday, July 7, 2013 5:12:22 PM UTC-7, Wise TibetanMonkey, Most
I would like to come out with a machete to defend myself against mad
drivers.
And I think I speak for all of us when I say we really wish you'd try it.
There was an occasion when I driver spit in my face where I'd have used
a machete.
And he was wrong in blowing the horn trying to play vigilante where I
was legally riding a bicycle. I gave him the finger and he was adamant
to beat me up. It's not the kind of fun I look forward to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little courtesy goes a long way. In this example, "legally" riding
your bike in the middle of the lane, thus needlessly slowing down
people, makes you and other bicyclists look bad.
Now, had you moved over and let these folks get to where they were
going, you wouldn't have to worry about fingers or spit or horns or
vigilantes.
Instead you decided to be a pain in the ass, and were rewarded for your
efforts.
Try courtesy. It works miracles.
CS
Do you really think a motor vehicle (other than a scooter or motorcycle,
of course) and a bicycle can fit safely in the same (normal width) lane?
Taking up enough of the lane to prevent this from happening is the
correct thing to do on a bicycle, and is not intentionally blocking
traffic [1] for the sake of making a political point.
[1] Which does happen at events such as Critical Mess, er Mass, but that
is no justification for all pedal cyclists to put themselves in
unnecessary danger.
--
Critical Mass is for middle class kids playing revolution. They create more backlash than make a point. They often block the road and you know all the chaos it creates.
TAKING THE LANE though makes all the sense in the world:
1- You are visible. It's not like "Sorry I didn't see him/her!"
2- You and your sweetheart can ride together. It's been times that I've been distracted trying to look back and other times my GF has been several blocks behind me, one time walking the bike with a flat. Besides you need to share the scenery and the world however ugly it may be.
3- You don't need infrastructure for the most part. Yes, you may slow down and proceed at a red light or stop at your own risk.
4- You can go everywhere a car goes.
5- SAFETY --your fragile physique is next to vehicles many times your weight and any mistake can cause death and injury. Think how idiotic that "Three feet... It's the Law!"
It would create the need for certain responsibilities as well, such as bright clothing and lights. Maybe a light training followed by a "license" would be smart. Not every monkey should be left on the road. Well, the same goes for drivers. There are too many idiots behind the wheel of a Toyota.