A unified theory of New York biking

[lph]

I won't ever defend law-breaking, but I have become less absolute in condemning those who break the traffic laws. To put it this way, I would rather meet drivers who occasionally drove a bit too fast on the highway and didn't come to complete stops at every stop sign, but were unfailingly alert, observant and kind to cyclists.

[pll]

I won't ever defend law-breaking, but I have become less absolute in condemning those who break the traffic laws. To put it this way, I would rather meet drivers who occasionally drove a bit too fast on the highway and didn't come to complete stops at every stop sign, but were unfailingly alert, observant and kind to cyclists.

+1

I would also like to see cyclists being more mindful that they are not alone on the road. Up here, I see cyclists run red lights when cars are waiting at the intersection (not just when they change, but *way* after they have changed to red). Last weekend, during an organized ride in Wisconsin, I was with a few other cyclists at a 4 way stop sign, allowing cars to get through, when a couple on a tandem bike rides right into the intersection, making one of the cars stop, as the stoker is yelling "is this for real? <expletives>". I just could not believe it, the sense of entitlement. Besides the fact that the couple 'shoaled' (as NY Bike Snob would call it) several other cyclists.

[PamNY]

I won't ever defend law-breaking, but I have become less absolute in condemning those who break the traffic laws. To put it this way, I would rather meet drivers who occasionally drove a bit too fast on the highway and didn't come to complete stops at every stop sign, but were unfailingly alert, observant and kind to cyclists.

Yes, I agree. This is why I never join in the universal condemnation of taxi drivers. Sure, they break all kinds of laws but many of them are skilled drivers.

I can't tell you how many cab drivers have waved me across the street with a smile -- to let me know they see me with a very old, very slow dog.