When Did People Start Hating Bikes?

[smilingcat]

This is horrible. It sounds like he was threatening you and your children. Definitely time to learn about the laws, talk with the police just for future reference on what to do. Remember that you are just asking on what you should do the next time. You are not filing a complaint, you are only there to ask what to do the next time.

If he is connected, maybe he will hear from his connection to lay off.

And another reason to get involved and get to know your local politicians and police.

Meanwhile, I think you gave sound advice to your children. Stay composed and stay to the facts. It goes a long way.

Hope your ugly neighbor moves away!!

[Susan126]

Hey Eden I was born and raised in Pittsburgh too. I have great memories of riding my bike all over my small town of Sharpsburg right on the Allegheny River. My friends and I owned our town! We cruised every where and never had any trouble with anyone. Of course I grew up in the 60s and it was a wonderful time back then. Walked to and from school or rode our bikes, only a handful of tv stations to watch KDKA, WTAE, WQED, and of course PBS. I was never in the house except to eat, sleep, and do homework! My friends and siblings and I played until curfew in the summer months and we had great adventures exploring camp Guyasuta just a mile from my house. Unknown to my parents my friends and I biked to Etna or Aspinwall on occasion!

It's always nice to run into a fellow Pittsburgher . . . So where are you from Eden?

[maggie's sister]

Eden - this guy was definitely a wack-o. I told him to have a nice day before carrying on.

Nice to see some ex-burghers on here. As a current resident, I am required to inform you that you are missing the renaissance.

[Eden]

It's always nice to run into a fellow Pittsburgher . . . So where are you from Eden?

I grew up in the city proper - in Carrick. After I got a real bike (after I finally was tall enough...) I rode all over the place. My favorite ride was out to Cheswick and back. Through Oakland, down by the zoo, then along the river out and back. I left to go to college and haven't lived there since. I know the city has changed a great deal since I lived there, but the renaissance had started before I left. I remember working mills when I was very little, by the time I left most of them were gone. The last time I went back to visit, you'd hardly know they'd ever been there... I probably wouldn't recognize too much these days.

Can't say I regret moving out here though. I love the west coast...

[buffybike]

Where children are concerned, i don't think people "hate bikes". I think they're more afraid of lawsuits that could result if a child were hurt and they were held responsible. As our society has become more litigious (sp?), people have become more paranoid. Just my opinion.

[buffybike]

In addition, i think that theres been a huge shift in terms of what is perceived to be "safe" for children. When i was a kid, my mom locked us outside until it was dinnertime. Now, people are afraid to let the kids walk down the street a few houses for fear that they'll be kidnapped by a molester. I dont necessaily think there are more people who would hurt children today than there were in the 70s, you just HEAR about it more often because of the Internet and 24 hour news which loves to focus on stuff like that. Now we're scared to let our kids go play like they're supposed to, and instead let them sit around and play on the computer all day sonthey'll be "safe". (stepping off soap box, now)