Trapped in a room with bike haters . . .

[limewave]

I was not confrontational about it (at least I don't think, I sure tried not to be). I was really just trying to make a logical point. See, if you look at this way, it really makes sense for cyclists to be on the road . . .

Most people have their opinions and you really can't change them which is why I usually just keep my mouth shut. But I felt really hypocritical sitting there and not saying something. Especially if they all see me showing up at court tomorrow on my bike taking the LANE at the intersection. The horror!

[Bike Writer]

As a fellow Michigander, thank you for your jury service. Keep us posted and let us know if you manage to turn or sway any opinions, about bikes and not the trial obviously. Good for you for the commuting to duty.

[grey]

Go get 'em Lime! That was great! Thanks for sticking up for us, that kind of thing is what helps.

Now if we could just get bicycle safety to be a part of driver's license tests and renewals.

And while they are at it: how about tax incentives for riding instead of driving.

(Wishes, here, I know).

SECONDED!
I try, really try, to always wave and be friendly to motorists that pass me and our group. I try to watch out for them and wave them on if it's safe to pass me or hold my hand in warning to signal how many cars are coming that they can't see around the bend yet, but I can. For some, I'm annoying anyway. I can't help them. But maybe, just maybe... by your being there, every day, and being a real, live person who rides a bike, someone they saw every day, will make them think a little. We're not obnoxious obstacles, we're people, and often, we're very nice people.

It's law here in GA now to give us 3 feet. But... who but us cyclists is even aware of that law? How can we get the great majority out there to realize how fast we are going?

Good luck, limewave! You may make them think, or they may just refuse to like you, but at least you are trying.

[Bike Writer]

SECONDED!
maybe, just maybe... by your being there, every day, and being a real, live person who rides a bike, someone they saw every day, will make them think a little. We're not obnoxious obstacles, we're people, and often, we're very nice people.

Good luck, limewave! You may make them think, or they may just refuse to like you, but at least you are trying.

This.

I was trying to think of a way to say that and you did.

[grey]

Funny, I go straight from here to Facebook, and here is what I read: A friend of mine in DC almost got knocked over while walking on the sidewalk because of a couple of guys zooming their bikes past her VERY close. The replies:

S: Did they have spandex on??? If they did you should have pushed them off the sidewalk....why?? Just because I hate that look on a bike...yuck. They are all over down here like cockroaches swarming all over the tiny country roads.

and more: All spandex here....ewwww Yeah there were a couple of times I could have gotten them w/the car door but that whole Karma thing got me too. LOL

it woulda been funny. Bowling for bikers!

I was/am hot. My friend knows I ride. Coming up with a response took me a minute, but do you gals think this was moderate enough?

I am one of those "spandex wearers". They should NOT have been on the SIDEWALK. We often ride at speeds over 20 mph and so the roads are where we belong. A bicycle counts as a vehicle, we have to follow the same rules of the road. Sadly, people like those Heather had today ruin it for the rest of us and encourage the same driver aggression that leads to mothers, fathers, friends and community leaders getting killed every year.

Not really a derail, since it's public aggression still. :-(

[smilingcat]

Another reason why gasoline for cars should cost $10.00/gallon!!

[Reesha]

Very reasonable, grey! I hope they inserted foot into mouth.

[channlluv]

Care to share the FB page, Grey? I'd kind of like to follow how they respond to you, and be there to back you up should they start flaming your very reasonable response.

Roxy

[Reesha]

I was not confrontational about it (at least I don't think, I sure tried not to be). I was really just trying to make a logical point. See, if you look at this way, it really makes sense for cyclists to be on the road . . .

Most people have their opinions and you really can't change them which is why I usually just keep my mouth shut. But I felt really hypocritical sitting there and not saying something. Especially if they all see me showing up at court tomorrow on my bike taking the LANE at the intersection. The horror!

Good for you though. I'm glad you said something, I would do the same in that situation

[zoom-zoom]

I had a guy ask yesterday (in a very non-confrontational tone) why road cyclists don't use the "bike path" when it's right next to the road. I explained to him that it's because it's less safe to be rolling at 15mph+ on a path that crosses driveways and is shared by slower bikes, pedestrians with headphones, and little kids weaving on bikes...and that we can't stop fast like a car going the same speed.

He actually got it. I think there's a lack of perception of just how fast we can go on road bikes and how difficult it is to stop fast and safely. I really wish there were a nation-wide media campaign to spell these things out. I'd bet that a lot of people simply haven't thought about the safety ramifications for cyclists.

[Veronica]

Most people don't think about anything that doesn't directly concern them. It's not that they're evil; they're just oblivious.

Veronica