Biking in the news...good or bad?

Hi all,

There's been a lot about cycling/bikes on roads in the news around our area lately. I have gotten to the point of thinking that any publicity is bad publicity...as if a columnist or reader points out anything good about biking/cycle commuting, etc...the crazies come out with their hate and stir up otherwise ambivalent motorists. People are reporting more hostile interaction with motorists on the road, and I can't help but wonder if the best way to get people to accept us on the road is to be there, following the laws, day in and day out. I know we need to get our message out, but it seems like folks just don't understand cyclists unless they are cyclists themselves.

I'm scared to get out there lately. I read a horrible column a while back and wrote a response to the paper but am wondering if that's just going to add fuel to the fire (if it gets published).

Sorry...just feeling marginalized and frustrated...and depressed. Need to get over this soon.

i can really relate to what you are saying. Whenever i read letters to the editor; or worse the community on line forums connected to bicycling or in response to letters to the editor; the haters scare me absolutely to death. Fortunately, they represent such a small percent of the population, or I would not be riding either. I'm no hero. I'm just someone who likes to ride my bike.