Just a reminder we need Bike Lanes

On 2 Dec 2004 09:04:48 -0800,
(DonQuijote1954) wrote:

This why I put my bicycles away...

A while back, my daughter and I were riding bicycle down the sidewalk
(riding with traffic is out of the question, since this is a major
street and my daughet is small) and, as we neared the intersection, I
noticed a car competing with us for the flashing walk signal. Well,
luckily, the lady stopped. However, that triggered her anger and she
got out the car and yelled at me some unprintable insults before
roaring away in her powerful Firebird. And I wonder, am I on the
wrong? I don't think so. I ride the bicycle for some good reasons, one
of them being the environment. Why should the polluter have all the
power? Why should we be pushed to the sidewalk to begin with?

Anyway, here's what I propose:

Why not take the lane (ride in the center) until they design BICYCLE
LANES ALONG ALL MAJOR STREETS? We all know that we have no place now,
since riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is more dangerous than on an
unprotected street, and riding on the edge makes it likely that a car
hits us. We could wear shirts made to the purpose and make it a
national (or international) campaign. I'm pretty sure that when a few
people get knock down by cars, or traffic is backed up, someone will
take notice. There's an organization already doing something similar,
Critical Mass, which I'm sure can lend us a hand, or simply we join
them.

Time to pull my bicycles out...

Critical Mass
http://www.times-up.org/cm.php

***

Believe it or not many so-called bike riders in America argue AGAINST
bike lanes, and when I published the above letter I was received with
hostility from the bicycle elite... Who sponsors them remains to be
seen, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it's General Motors...

I am one of those ardently opposed to bicycle lanes. When they are
present, they are usually clogged with slower riders, walkers,
joggers, runners, dog-walkers...take your pick. Even when these lanes
are on the side of the road and not separated from the road I run into
this. Now factor in that since the lane is there drivers demand that
you ride there...where it is not feasible if you are a sport rider
trying to get in a decent workout.

What is needed is a better driver education system, teaching everybody
to share the damn road. The law grants me as much right to be on the
road as the car next to me.