[net.bicycle] Bicycles, violence, gore, etc., etc.

awinterb@udenva.UUCP (Art Winterbauer) (05/14/85)

As a motorist, I believe one of my biggest fears is accidently
striking a bicyclist.  To keep the ol' eyes and reflexes honed
for quick action, I try to keep the following rules in mind:

1. Pretend that the biker is your daughter, son, or other loved
   one.  It's amazing how that keeps the adrenelin up.

2. If you're going slow enough, check HIS or HER path for chuckholes,
   glass, or debris that could cause the bicyclist to swerve into
   your path.  If you're not going slow enough to do this, then
   SLOW DOWN.  That guy riding your bumper isn't as important as
   he thinks he is.

3. If the road is narrow and there's too much traffic to pass, cool it.
   If the road is that congested, the biker will probably appreciate
   your running interference for him/her.

4. As I've said before, if a bicyclist is driving erratically or
   otherwise being annoying, try to remember that the bicylist represents
   one less fuel guzzler on the road, and one less polluter.  

5. Grinding your teeth, clenching your fists, bellowing curses, and
   stressing your scalp muscles only hurts you physically and makes
   you look rather foolish to others.

6. Try riding a bike from time to time to gain a better appreciation for
   what that cyclist has to contend with.  


-- 



"What are all these toads doing so far from the marsh?"
                                        Lautreamont

        Art Winterbauer  ucbvax!nbires-----------\
        DRI/Elect.       seismo!hao---------------\
        PO Box 10127     cires---------------------\
        Univ. of Denver  boulder--------------------\---> !udenva!awinterb
        Denver, CO  80210  (303)-871-2412

tonjon@fluke.UUCP (Tony Johnson) (05/21/85)

> As a motorist, I believe one of my biggest fears is accidently
> striking a bicyclist.  To keep the ol' eyes and reflexes honed
> for quick action, I try to keep the following rules in mind:

> etc.

	Art:  The information on how to avoid striking a bicylist is the
	first and only useful piece of information I've ever read on 
	net.politics. Something practical is really a breath of (cool, no HOT)
	fresh air.  Thanks...

					Tony Johnson
					John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
					Everett, WA.