A tiny bit of good news

[shootingstar]

I've never really discussed this with family or friends on effect on their driving. But there are several family members who do cycle but not as frequently as I do. Several returned to cycling after I restarted cycling for a few years. Not certain if I helped influence them. But I do cycle with them if they are willing when visiting one another..which isn't often.

Presumably they are more alert car drivers when seeing cyclists.

My pie in the sky hope is, the more people who return to cycling even if only occasional, the more they realize how important their car driving style is and will adjust accordingly on the road.

Well, that's my theory.

[Red Rock]

I had a conversation with a work colleague about all of this last week. I told her that I was a hiker and cyclist. When I mentioned that, katy bar the door..here she came with how cyclists should not be in the road. She new of a cyclist who was in the road or on the edge of the road and was clipped by a car/truck and killed in Moab. When she started going off on all of this my head could not keep the pace as to how to repond. I did think of everyone hear and how this was a teachable moment. She was saying how cyclists should use the sidewalks that is what they are made for. Then she said something to the effect of how cyclists should pay for the right to use the road. At that point, I had had it. I was fumming inside and did not know how to make it a "good" disscussion without there being problems. So I did not really say much to her comments. I think I was in total shock mostly. I have never spoken with anyone who was so against cyclists. I thought I was in a religious or polical debate.

I came home and told my DH about it and he was glad I did not totally respond.

If it happens again, I do not know what to say to someone who already has their mind made up and is not going to change.

Red Rock

[redrhodie]

I had a conversation with a work colleague about all of this last week. I told her that I was a hiker and cyclist. When I mentioned that, katy bar the door..here she came with how cyclists should not be in the road. She new of a cyclist who was in the road or on the edge of the road and was clipped by a car/truck and killed in Moab. When she started going off on all of this my head could not keep the pace as to how to repond. I did think of everyone hear and how this was a teachable moment. She was saying how cyclists should use the sidewalks that is what they are made for. Then she said something to the effect of how cyclists should pay for the right to use the road. At that point, I had had it. I was fumming inside and did not know how to make it a "good" disscussion without there being problems. So I did not really say much to her comments. I think I was in total shock mostly. I have never spoken with anyone who was so against cyclists. I thought I was in a religious or polical debate.

I came home and told my DH about it and he was glad I did not totally respond.

If it happens again, I do not know what to say to someone who already has their mind made up and is not going to change.

Red Rock

No use arguing with an idiot. Just a big waste of time.

[Red Rock]

redroadie- thanks for the input. Needless to say, it was not how I wanted to start my day. I had to take a few deep breaths to relax.

Red Rock

[MomOnBike]

Red Rock -

Yeah, that was my brother. "No reason for the ##%*&^ bicycles on the road," etc. SIL was the same, with fewer deletable expletives.

And then I started touring.

I think they're kind of proud that I just get on the bike and go, not letting the fear of cars stop me. Also, sudenly, its ME they are cussing, and Brother, at least, knows better than that. I'm the mean big sister.

I don't think that trying to "convert" people to bike lovers will do any good, but being a known, friendly face on a bike can't hurt anything. And some will hate bikes Just Because. Those may never change, but will eventually fade away.

In other words, don't argue, it won't do any good, but be a good example, which might.