Dear So and So

[Nanci]

Um, Mimi? That's what my friend's husband of 25 years claimed. My friend ended up getting divorced from "Jenna," because she didn't want to be married to a 6'4" 260 pound lesbian.

[SalsaMTB]

Dear Livonia City Council

Thank you so much for protecting the crazy drivers from cyclist by having an ordinance so it's illegal for cyclist to ride in the road when there is a sidewalk present. Who know what kind of damage could occur to the vehicle if they were to hit a cyclist! I would think it could be extensive. It's nice to know that all the crazy, aggressive, impatient drivers in the city are protected from cyclists.

Also, I know Michigan recently dropped to the #2 spot of being the fattest state, so I thank you for doing your part to try and bring us back to #1. Hey, we need to get recognized for something, so why not for being fat. Forcing cyclist onto the sidewalk will definitely deter some people's motivation to commute and exercise.

I do have some recommendations though for you to make this a little easier and also to make a little extra money.

First, can you please start ticketing every single car that cuts off cyclist on the sidewalk as they wait to leave their driveways, side streets, etc? We're getting a little tired of slamming on our brakes every few feet because drivers don't realize a bike is coming to their left on the sidewalk

Second, can you please start ticketing all the cars that turn right on green, in the right had turn lane, and cutting off the cyclist trying to cross the street? Also, cars are constantly cutting off cyclists on sidewalks with all turns, not just at lights.

Third, please pass an ordinance to make it illegal for pedestrians to walk in the sidewalk. Think of the damage my bicycle could receive from hitting a person walking on the sidewalk. An impact of a cyclist going 15mph and hitting a person running/walking in the opposite direction could be quite severe. Anyway, isn't the grass there for walking on??

Fourth, can you please repave all sidewalks and make sure they don't continuously end in the middle of the grass? It really doesn't feel safe cutting into a busy road in the middle of a block, over a curb, because someone decided they didn't want to lay anymore concrete. Also, the sidewalk is extremely rough and damaged, it all need to be repaired. Riding on broken concrete just doesn't feel that safe.

Lastly, can you please tell the motor vehicles that I'm allowed on the road about every half of a block where the sidewalk doesn't exist? They seem to be getting a mixed message of cyclist being on the road at one point, then on the sidewalk, then on the road. Hmmm...not sure if they're motor vehicles are going to learn to share the road when you tell them bikes don't belong, just sometimes.

In summary, Livonia City Council, thank you for making my city the least bike friendly city around, encouraging obesity and road rage. Those cars really do need protection from crazy cyclists. I wonder though, how would a group of 30 cyclists in a pace line, cruising at 25mph, look on the sidewalk?? Look out joggers, there's a paceline coming through!!


Sincerely,

ROAD rider/Commuter

[mimitabby]

Dear Livonia City Council

Thank you so much for protecting the crazy drivers from cyclist by having an ordinance so it's illegal for cyclist to ride in the road when there is a sidewalk present. Who know what kind of damage could occur to the vehicle if they were to hit a cyclist! I would think it could be extensive. It's nice to know that all the crazy, aggressive, impatient drivers in the city are protected from cyclists.

Also, I know Michigan recently dropped to the #2 spot of being the fattest state, so I thank you for doing your part to try and bring us back to #1. Hey, we need to get recognized for something, so why not for being fat. Forcing cyclist onto the sidewalk will definitely deter some people's motivation to commute and exercise.

I do have some recommendations though for you to make this a little easier and also to make a little extra money.

First, can you please start ticketing every single car that cuts off cyclist on the sidewalk as they wait to leave their driveways, side streets, etc? We're getting a little tired of slamming on our brakes every few feet because drivers don't realize a bike is coming to their left on the sidewalk

Second, can you please start ticketing all the cars that turn right on green, in the right had turn lane, and cutting off the cyclist trying to cross the street? Also, cars are constantly cutting off cyclists on sidewalks with all turns, not just at lights.

Third, please pass an ordinance to make it illegal for pedestrians to walk in the sidewalk. Think of the damage my bicycle could receive from hitting a person walking on the sidewalk. An impact of a cyclist going 15mph and hitting a person running/walking in the opposite direction could be quite severe. Anyway, isn't the grass there for walking on??

Fourth, can you please repave all sidewalks and make sure they don't continuously end in the middle of the grass? It really doesn't feel safe cutting into a busy road in the middle of a block, over a curb, because someone decided they didn't want to lay anymore concrete. Also, the sidewalk is extremely rough and damaged, it all need to be repaired. Riding on broken concrete just doesn't feel that safe.

Lastly, can you please tell the motor vehicles that I'm allowed on the road about every half of a block where the sidewalk doesn't exist? They seem to be getting a mixed message of cyclist being on the road at one point, then on the sidewalk, then on the road. Hmmm...not sure if they're motor vehicles are going to learn to share the road when you tell them bikes don't belong, just sometimes.

In summary, Livonia City Council, thank you for making my city the least bike friendly city around, encouraging obesity and road rage. Those cars really do need protection from crazy cyclists. I wonder though, how would a group of 30 cyclists in a pace line, cruising at 25mph, look on the sidewalk?? Look out joggers, there's a paceline coming through!!


Sincerely,

ROAD rider/Commuter

Salsa,
If you take #3 out, (and renumber) you have an excellent letter that SHOULD be sent to your local newspaper AND to your city council. How pathetic!!!
(not your letter; the law)
mimi

[mimitabby]

Um, Mimi? That's what my friend's husband of 25 years claimed. My friend ended up getting divorced from "Jenna," because she didn't want to be married to a 6'4" 260 pound lesbian.

Nanci
you'd understand why I keep my confused partner if you read the thread "keep the bike and toss the wife" thread on bike journal. com.
He's Raleighdon.

m

[SalsaMTB]

Salsa,
If you take #3 out, (and renumber) you have an excellent letter that SHOULD be sent to your local newspaper AND to your city council. How pathetic!!!
(not your letter; the law)
mimi

Yeah, number three was a little tongue in cheek. It's a pretty sad ordinance. Our state law says we have the same rights as motor vehicles, but apparenly my city doesn't agree. I have personally never been pulled over, but yesterday a rider came into the store and told us he was pulled over by the police and told to ride on the sidewalk, so it is enforced lightly (no ticket was issued, justa slap on the wrist).

It has motivated me to try and get more involved!

[DebW]

Yeah, number three was a little tongue in cheek. It's a pretty sad ordinance. Our state law says we have the same rights as motor vehicles, but apparenly my city doesn't agree. I have personally never been pulled over, but yesterday a rider came into the store and told us he was pulled over by the police and told to ride on the sidewalk, so it is enforced lightly (no ticket was issued, justa slap on the wrist).

It has motivated me to try and get more involved!

Detroit, the Motor City. So are you going to run for City Council and change some priorities in your town?

[Cassandra_Cain]

Salsa - Geez Louise!!! I'm about right stunned by that note.

Illegal to ride on the road when there is a sidewalk present???!!

Sorry but, what the F*#K?!

Then hey, we have to make room for all those gas-guzzling, polluting, destructive, urban sprawl creating cars and SUV's. Wouldn't want some johnny or janey getting in the way

[chickwhorips]

that is really messed up salsa!

even though i don't live there it makes me want to write a letter!

stick it to 'em!

[SalsaMTB]

Detroit, the Motor City. So are you going to run for City Council and change some priorities in your town?

lol, one step at a time. I admit it, I'm not involved at all right now with local or state government. The whole process is pretty foreign to me, but there are cycling groups here who are active, so I want to start trying to get involved with them. Right now, I'm doing to research on the issue. It looks like someone requested it to be changed back on June 12. In the council meeting minutes of June 26, it says it was going to "refer this item to the Legislative Committee for its report and recommendation" and I have not been able to find any other information.

It lists the names of people who were involved, who made the initial request, so I'm going to start making contacts. Since someone just got pulled over the other day though, it looks like it didn't pass. I would like to know why though!

[SadieKate]

Avoid chocolate ice cream(s) as the cocoa inhibits Ca absorption

Dear Margo,

I know you mean well but quit spoiling my pleasure. I'm sure that the other medicinal benefits of chocolate more than make-up for the calcium issues.

SK

[donnambr]

Um, didn't your governor recently sign a bill into law that makes some majorly positive changes to MI traffic law as it pertains to bicycles, which includes language that forbids municipalities from enforcing such ordinances?

Of course, this is one of many reasons why I left metro Detroit 10 years ago... My parents stopped riding their bikes in SE Michigan altogether. They're retiring to the U.P., which is far more bike friendly, and that's where they ride. Sad.

[Kitsune06]

Seriously, Salsa, It was likely passed due to a decent amount of lobbying by GM and the other detroit-based motor companies. Hooray for gas-sucking America!

[SalsaMTB]

Um, didn't your governor recently sign a bill into law that makes some majorly positive changes to MI traffic law as it pertains to bicycles, which includes language that forbids municipalities from enforcing such ordinances?

Not sure. I found an article from July about that. It mentioned a bill, but it did not say if it passed. I am really unfamiliar with government, so I have no clue how long it takes for something to pass and afterward, how long to take effect. I'm contacting our league of michigan cyclists to find out the status on the bill. Let's hope it passed so we don't have to deal with these crazy ordinances anymore!

[Bad JuJu]

Salsa, while you're doing your research, send that letter to your local paper right away, and I wouldn't even delete #3. Maybe your paper has a guest-column feature on their op/ed page, and this letter would be perfect for that. It may alert other citizens to the injustice you're concerned about.

[chickwhorips]

dear TE,

thank you so much for shipping out the new saddle so quickly! you guys have the best service ever!!!!

a loyal customer

dear weather gods,
please stop down pouring and be light on the winds tomorrow so i can enjoy my new saddle.

thank you,
the girl that lives with the weatherguy.