[*BCM*] Re: Bostoncriticalmass Digest, Vol 23, Issue 21

[Vicki Siolos]

WELL SAID!

What a way to put it. I think that just about sums it all up. And with
that, I really wish I had ridden my bike to work today - already getting
cabin fever despite the fact that I love my office.

Ehhh,
Vicki

ALSO - did anyone go on the nite ride last nite?

----- Original Message -----
> Date: Wed, 17 May 2006 15:43:57 -0700
> From: "turtle" <turtle at zworg.com>
> Subject: Re: [*BCM*] Sharing the road vs. taking a lane?
> To: "Boston Critical Mass" <list at bostoncriticalmass.org>
> Message-ID: <19820.1147905837 at zworg.com>
> 
> I think the main problem is that people think of bikes as being 
> somehowdifferent than other vehicles on the roads.  They aren't.  
> Not legally
> anyway, and not practically, either.  No they can't go 60 mph 
> except on
> big hills (Right, Tom?), but then they aren't allowed on 
> superhighways. 
> And no, they don't take up 10 feet of space, which is why you are
> legally allowed to pass other traffic in the same lane if it's a
> suburban-type wide lane (14 feet at least).  But when it comes to
> narrow, congested city streets, a bike is a car is a truck is a
> horse-drawn-carriage: stay in the right lane except when passing or
> turning left, yeild to others with the right of way, obey the traffic
> signs and signals, take up as much space as you need, and don't hit
> anyone.
> 
> Same roads, same rules, same rights.  The more you think of bikes as
> being weird vehicles, the more people will treat bicyclists as being
> weird.  And while sometimes being weird is cool, when it comes to
> traffic, being weird just gets you squished or harassed.
> 
> When I get out their on my bike, I think like a motorist (a respectful
> one, of course).  I don't make up my own rules, I don't cower in the
> gutter like a rat, and I don't act like I own the road.  I just drive
> normally.  And, as I said, the more bicyclists who drive normally, the
> more other drivers will come to understand that bicyclists ARE 
> normal. 
> I know it's hard for some of us rebellious types to do.  But 
> seriously,if you want to drive like you're living in Grand Theft 
> Auto, maybe you
> could move to Beijing:
> 
> http://www.6foot6.com/fr/agfaimages/china/ChBeijing_Traffic.jpg
> 
> -Turtle




--

Vicki G. Siolos
vicki at nyu.edu
917.328.9737
onwardcharles.blogspot.com

"weigh those opinions . more like air than lead . every planned
occupation . surefire disappointment up ahead" - modest mouse.