m1ek wrote:

"Witnesses say a cyclist who collided with a car in downtown Austin last night ran a red light."

Not very subtle.

I was commenting on your exaggeration of the cyclist's injuries. You inserted the word 'kill' where the original article and even this thread used the word 'injured.'

But hey, it's just like some facts. No need to take note. Please do continue with your agenda.

Seth

Dear [insult deleted]:

When I made my original post, the article did, in fact, say the cyclist had been killed.

Mike is right on the fact that bicyclist can injure people (either physically, emotionally or with property damage). But these ocurrances are pretty rare.

Just for fun, though, I've been counting how many times cars blow through a red at Hartford and Enfield in the mornings as I wait at the light on the bike. Since last week, EVERY time/day for 7 days so far....

Without distinguishing between the "cars that catch the beginning of the red" ("running the orange") and the other kind, this is absolutely meaningless, as both cars and bikes run the orange in roughly equal proportions.

But you knew that, of course.

"Witnesses say a cyclist who collided with a car in downtown Austin last night ran a red light."

Not very subtle.

I was commenting on your exaggeration of the cyclist's injuries. You inserted the word 'kill' where the original article and even this thread used the word 'injured.'

But hey, it's just like some facts. No need to take note. Please do continue with your agenda.

Seth

Just for fun, though, I've been counting how many times cars blow through a red at Hartford and Enfield in the mornings as I wait at the light on the bike. Since last week, EVERY time/day for 7 days so far....

I suppose the guy whose windshield is shattered and who probably is worried he killed the guy should just suck it up and take one for the team, so you can continue to live in your [insults deleted] where cyclists never cause anybody else any injury or pain. Thanks, doug!

I would propose that one moral to this story is that cycling safely is our responsibility to the community that includes ALL other travelers and road users. There is no virtue in riding irresponsibly on a public road. 

As a long-time bicycle commuter myself (circa 1972), when on my daily commute into downtown from the west side (by bike, car or motorcycle), I carefully watch all traffic, but really notice the bicyclists.  Probably because I am a bicyclist. 

Especially in the downtown area, I am amazed at the rudeness or ignorance of many (not all) cyclists: cutting in traffic (improper lane use), running lights and stop signs, riding on the sidewalks on prohibited streets, failure to yield to pedestrians, failure to signal, riding the wrong way...wow.

As a road traveler, I would like to expect a fairly degree of predictability and compliance from the other road users. Something to consider and discuss with your traveling friends.

My 2 ¢, worth price charged....

On the bright side, it would appear that reports of the person's death may have been exaggerated.  APD has reported that the person is in serious condition but still alive.  http://www.atxbs.com/?q=node/1176

Not very subtle.

The shattered glass and no-doubt shattered psyche of the motorist who killed this guy by just driving through a green light are testimony to the fact that the red-light runners out there DON'T only hurt (or kill) themselves.

Great example of either [insult deleted] or a failure to detect subtleties within news stories.

Seth