How would you have responded to this??

[Tri Girl]

it really is prevelant in the attitude of Phoenicians that they have certain rights behind the wheel of a car!

That's really sad to hear. I always thought it was just Yumans that drove insanely crazy (I was in 3 car wrecks- none were my fault- by the time I graduated high school). We always blamed everything on the snowbirds... I guess the insanity has migrated further north. Watch out Spokewench- it's moving your way...

[Crankin]

RM,

Wow, I guess the valley has grown... to me Goodyear is half way to LA. I can't really comment on the above comments since I haven't lived in Phx since 1990. But it seems that any place that is so dependent on cars for transportation is just going to have more cars to be angry at cyclists. I can't think of any area around where I used to live in S. Tempe where I could ride the distances I ride now, without stopping every mile for a stop light. So I guess, you must have a lot of riders out near you, where it's maybe less developed?
It sounds like this woman is crazy. I'd like to put her on a bike and see how far she could go.

[Running Mommy]

Yeah we really do have some great new pavement to ride on. Thats why I stay up here. It's the safer option. Tho that stretch she was talking about is one that I rarely use. It leads in/out of the hood, and I never leave the hood! ha ha
We have a new 3 mile stretch that is technically still closed that I ride on. Soon it will be filled with homes, but for now it's my little piece of paved paradise! Lot's of other cyclists have discovered it as well.

As for the hit and runs, yeah it is BAD! I can't tell you how many times I hear "car vs. bicycle or car vs. pedestrian" reports on the traffic report. I just cringe when I hear it too! UGH!
Not long ago a high school girl was hit and nearly killed in a cross walk by the high school. The guy kept going. He abandoned the car at a nearby dairy and they were eventually able to track him down. I think he may have been here illegally as well. That is one of the reasons why we have so many hit and runs.

[trekin']

Gee, I feel pretty safe riding up here in Massachusetts, where they say a red light is just a suggestion...