http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinio...46_ltrs15.html
Letters to the Editor
BICYCLES
As a form of transportation, it's not going to go away
I am reminded by co-workers nearly every day that bicycles do not belong on the road. That's kind of funny since a lot of the roads they are driving their cars across were built with bicycles in mind. I am admonished about once a week by motorists, "That's what sidewalks are for!" as they zoom past me on their gas-guzzlers. If they ever even walked on those sidewalks, they would know that they are barely suitable for walking, and where they exist at all in our fair city, are not designed for, safe for or useful for bicyclists.
Would these furious, impatient drivers be hostile and threatening to me, a 125-pound 55-year-old woman in the supermarket? Does driving a dangerous weapon somehow make them above the laws of common sense and civility?
Bicycling as transportation is not going to go away.
Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Click the "Create Account" button now to join.
Results 1 to 15 of 18
Hybrid View
-
05-15-2007, 07:07 AM #1
I like bikes
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Location
- Seattle
- Posts
- 8,548
got mad, wrote a letter, got published!
-
05-15-2007, 07:16 AM #2
What's next? A half iron?
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Location
- Kelowna, BC, Canada
- Posts
- 2,737
Whoo hoo - you rock Mimi!!!
It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Elliot
My podcast about being a rookie triathlete:Kelownagurl Tris Podcast
-
05-15-2007, 08:04 AM #3
I like bikes
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Location
- Seattle
- Posts
- 8,548
my mother read the letter and said "did you have to tell your age?"
YES!!
-
05-15-2007, 08:12 AM #4
Shine on...
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Posts
- 502
Way to go, Mimi!
Good for you.
Our city council member is tooting his horn because they just broke ground on a new bike path in our ward...that skirts the edge of the ward and basically goes from nowhere to nowhere. It doesn't even go through a pretty region for recreational use.
We need commuter routes! The letters are beginning to flow! Keep it up!2007 Trek 5000
2009 Jamis Coda
1972 Schwinn Suburban
"I rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a bike. It gives her a feeling of self-reliance and independence the moment she takes her seat; and away she goes, the picture of untrammelled womanhood."
Susan B. Anthony, 1896
-
05-15-2007, 08:25 AM #5
Registered User
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Orlando, FL
- Posts
- 287
Way to let the word out!! And the age bit I think is great 'cause then people that age or younger or older can't make that their excuse! I can't wait to start riding to work again Just 2 more days!!
-
05-15-2007, 08:29 AM #6
picsiechick
- Join Date
- Jan 2005
- Location
- Vernon, British Columbia
- Posts
- 2,226
Fabulous letter, Mimi! I'm glad they published it. And, yes, I'm glad that you included your age.
I'm not sure who designs bike lanes on city roads, but it sure can't be cyclists! There's one section here that has a proper sign, "bike lane begins", the painted lane and the whole works. It starts part way through a block, and, oh, I really have to go GPS it to be sure, but I think it's about 30 meters later, there's another sign that says "bike lane ends", and, it sure enough does. What were they thinking?
Here's to cycling as transportation!
Hugs & butterflies,
~T~The butterflies are within you.
My photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/picsiechick/
Buy my photos: http://www.picsiechick.com
-
05-15-2007, 08:47 AM #7
Registered User
- Join Date
- Jan 2005
- Location
- North Bellmore, NY
- Posts
- 1,346
GREAT Letter Mimi....no use complaining unless we are ready to take action. Congratulations on getting it published!!!
~ JoAnn
-
05-15-2007, 07:27 PM #8
It Matters To This One
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Posts
- 2,059
They'd be the same idiots who, if they were on the sidewalk and you were riding on the sidewalk, would shout, Get Off The Sidewalk!
Originally Posted by mimitabby
Besides, in most cities you're not allowed to ride/skate on sidewalks.
Great letter, Mimi!"The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew, and live through it." ~ Doug Bradbury
-
05-16-2007, 03:04 AM #9
TimeTrial Wannabe
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Location
- Middle Earth
- Posts
- 3,997
Well impressed, Mimi
We should all write regularly to our local papers
-
05-16-2007, 06:01 AM #10
Mmmmm... Broccoli?
- Join Date
- Apr 2007
- Location
- Brooklyn, NY
- Posts
- 820
Wow! That was awesome...
-
05-16-2007, 07:06 AM #11
Don't whine
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Location
- I'm the only one allowed to whine
- Posts
- 10,557
Very cool, Mimi!
"If Americans want to live the American Dream, they should go to Denmark." - Richard Wilkinson
-
05-16-2007, 12:28 PM #12
Registered User
- Join Date
- Oct 2004
- Location
- Sacramento, CA
- Posts
- 747
Very cool, Mimi. But this made me laugh:
Because yesterday I flipped out and road-raged at a woman who was talking on her cellphone and nearly right-hooked a cyclist. She turned without signaling and very unsafely, barely staying in her lane, and the cyclist was very visible, she just didn't consider him.Would these furious, impatient drivers be hostile and threatening to me, a 125-pound 55-year-old woman in the supermarket? Does driving a dangerous weapon somehow make them above the laws of common sense and civility?
I was behind her and I honked and flashed my lights, and she pulled over, and I rolled down my window and yelled at her. She was very startled, probably because little pregnant women in SUVs don't usually yell at nice ladies in Lexuses.
And you are right, I probably wouldn't have done it if I hadn't been in my car. I think I was channeling my dad there for a minute. I'm still glad I did, though, because she could have killed that guy.
Reply With Quote
