badovin@utah-cs.UUCP (Peter Badovinatz) (04/23/85)
(* line-eater food...yum yum *) A number of valid points are brought up in the discussion of bicyclists vs. other road users. I own a car but use it only during inclement weather or for hauling large loads. The rest of the time I depend on my motorcycle and bicycle for mobility, both commuting and touring. As far as motorcycling is concerned, that's for another time. But both motor- and bi- cycles suffer similar depredations at the hands of automobiles. I'll stay in my bicycle frame of mind for this. Unfortunately, autos and bicycles don't mix real well together. There are very, very, few marked bike routes here in Salt Lake City (maybe 2 or 3). As a result, you ride with autos, or don't ride at all. And therein lie the the problems. I have been on a bike and run off of the road and threatened for holding up traffic. Watching cars run stop signs or just pulling out in front of you is hairy. Why can't these people watch what they're doing? On the other hand, I must also admit that I've seen a number of bicyclists being careless about the traffic laws. Whether it's a bike or an auto running a stop sign, ==> it ain't safe <==. A simplistic answer is to obey ALL traffic laws (stop signs, speed limits etc.) And that goes for autos and bikes. This in itself would help many problems. Another answer would be bike routes and the like, but who pays for them? The general public, who, it must be admitted, would have little use for them, due to apathy, condition, location, etc. Or the bicyclists (how? a bike tax?) which would be a massive burden on a few people. The argument can be made that everyone can enjoy a bike path (like a park) if only they go and use it, and this is a valid argument. Encouraging the local populace to use bicycles would decrease pollution and congestion (on the roads, maybe not on the paths though :-)) and increase health and fitness. A major problem in finding a solution to this mess was mentioned: the unfathomable hatred many people have for bicycles. Why is this? I don't know, but a part of it may be that some bicyclists are young, somewhat unestablishment and very vocal about their "rights" to use the road. This threatens the older, conventional, poorly conditioned types (remember the '60's? Issues different, Framework similar). The many bicyclists commuting to their offices are not so much in the minds of non-bicyclists. Wild, long- haired radicals screaming about eliminating autos come their minds. A silly, inaccurate stereotype, but seems to exist. Do something about this and much progress will have been made and the door will be open to make much more progress. Does all this sound as if I'm putting the burden of proof onto the bicyclists? Should, the bicyclists are pushing for change, so must be the ones to provide the arguments and the proof of why such change would be beneficial. A start to this would be to somehow eliminate the paranoia so many feel about bicycles. I don't know how to do this. I'm hoping with this letter to keep this discussion open and in the front of peoples minds. Surely in this large group, a number of ideas can emerge. Let's all think about it, and remember that it really is revolutionary in scope. Create within this country a whole new way to think (at least about transportation). Peter R Badovinatz ARPA: badovinatz@utah-20 Univ of Utah CS Dept UUCP: ...!utah-cs!badovin
mjl@ritcv.UUCP (Mike Lutz) (04/27/85)
In 3305@utah-cs.UUCP, Peter Badovinatz writes: > > A major problem in finding a solution to this mess was mentioned: the > unfathomable hatred many people have for bicycles. Why is this? > I don't know, but a part of it may be that some bicyclists are young, somewhat > unestablishment and very vocal about their "rights" to use the road. This > threatens the older, conventional, poorly conditioned types (remember the > '60's? Issues different, Framework similar). The many bicyclists commuting > to their offices are not so much in the minds of non-bicyclists. Well, here in Rochester, NY, I (at the ripe old age of 37) have less trouble with "older, conventional" types than I do with their offspring trying to impress each other by nudging me into a gutter with Daddy's car. Could it be that the problem is the magnitude of the age difference, with the sign of the difference being at best a second order effect? -- Mike Lutz Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester NY UUCP: {allegra,seismo}!rochester!ritcv!mjl CSNET: mjl%rit@csnet-relay.ARPA
jpk@ur-univax.UUCP (05/10/85)
() The reason most drivers resent bicyclists isn't because they're afraid of non-traditional lifestyles. Rather, of the drivers who actively endanger cyclists, most have little or no reason at all, they're just "having a good time". I see no reason why the people who put Reagan into office should evidence better judgement or consideration when they're put in charge of 100 horsepower on a public road. If there's any reason at all, it's because most drivers figure that roads are built for cars, and the cyclist is an uninvited guest who can't [usually] maintain car speeds. Ah yes, when cheap fuel gives out in 30 years or so, we'll see who uses the roads... -- Jon Krueger
roy@phri.UUCP (Roy Smith) (05/20/85)
> the cyclist is an uninvited guest who can't [usually] maintain car speeds.
Have you ever ridden a bike through Manhatten during rush-hour?
In that situation, the bikes are the fastest things on the street by
far, and whatever other emotions the car drivers may be feeling, envy
has to be one of them!
--
allegra!phri!roy (Roy Smith)
System Administrator, Public Health Research Institute