Trapped in a room with bike haters . . .

[limewave]

. . . for the indefinite future!!!

I've been put on a jury. Bleh. We all had to file into a tiny room for "recess." I was trying to blend into the wall--don't look at anyone, no small-talk. I don't like confrontation and getting involved in people's lives, which one of the two inevitably happens if I make eye contact.

Anywho--somehow the conversations gets on cyclists. Everyone in the room immediately chimes in and gets animated about how obnoxious cyclists are riding on the road. And mockingly saying "it's the law! share the road!"

I just couldn't take it. I had to open my mouth. Do they really want a person going over 20mph on the same sidewalk as their kids play on? Where they walk their dog? Where there would be little to no visibility for cars pulling out of driveways at that speed? The room got very quiet.

And I'll be commuting by bike for the rest of my jury service. Perhaps I will even wear bike shorts--the padding sure would come in handy on those hard, wooden courtroom chairs. Oweeeeeeeeee.

I just want to go back to working in my basement by myself all day. I tend to not like people.

[mariacycle]

(((limewave))) my college buddies were constantly badmouthing cyclists too (granted the local ones were highly obnoxious and acted like they had more right to the road than anyone else) and i tried my best to tune them out. good luck with the rest of your duty!!

[maillotpois]

As a former trial attorney - thanks for your service. We truly could not support our system of justice without people like you. But on a personal note -sorry you have to hang out with such losers!

[VeganBikeChick]

I'm so sorry you have to be stuck with such a group of close-minded people. Good for you for speaking your mind!!

[OakLeaf]

I trust you'll have them converted by the time you render a verdict. Too bad they all get to park for free while they're serving.

+1 on thank you.

[ny biker]

I get the same thing from relatives and friends at holiday parties. Yay.

[beccaB]

Limewave, I'm with you. From previous conversations here I kinda gathered that you live in a more bike friendly area of Michigan than I do, but apparently not. I don't like being trapped in a room with any people for any reason, so I sympathize with you.

[Irulan]

My usual reply is, "I resemble that remark". Why not use it as an opportunity for dialog instead of putting up walls?

[ny biker]

My usual reply is, "I resemble that remark". Why not use it as an opportunity for dialog instead of putting up walls?

My experience is that most people don't want to dialog. They just want to complain, or yell at me as a representative of people they hate.

[Tri Girl]

Good for you for standing up to them and speaking your mind, Limewave!!
Sorry you have to be stuck with them (and their closed minds about others who are different- heaven help the defendant).
I served jury duty last year, and even tho most of them were nice, there were some totally obnoxiously opinionated people sitting on that jury. Heaven help me if I ever have to go to trial and have a jury. I get the feeling most people in my community are not my "peers."

Yes, ride your bike, carry your helmet with you and show them that being a cyclist means being one of them, not one of "them" (the unknown person).

[zoom-zoom]

I'm glad you stood up for us...especially since I'm one of the local us who you defended. I think most cyclist "haters" would really dislike the situation more if we were forced off the roads. I don't think most of these people think far enough ahead to consider how illogical and difficult for everyone their ideal would be.

I think you definitely should bike to jury duty, now. If anyone gives you crap you can tell 'em that you're helping to lower the price of gas by not using it...supply/demand.

[Biciclista]

I want to hear the blow by blow. Really, sometimes people amaze me. hang in there.

[channlluv]

Oh, Lime, good luck with this jury duty!

I'm so glad you spoke up. Did anyone respond at all? I'm with Mimi -- I want the blow-by-blow. Can you really commute and wear your bike clothes all day, or would you change into something more courtroom-friendly? I'm not sure I'd want to sit in my shorts and jersey all day. Although it would make the point, wouldn't it?


Roxy

[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.