BIKE: Relevant to recent discussions

[Fred Meredith]

The following text was part of a post on another listserv a national 
cycling advocacy list. I thought the author was very much on target 
and the topic very relevant to last weeks discussion on traffic 
lights/stop signs and whether cyclists needed to obey the law.

>
>My personal problems with the behaviors enumerated previously, and
>responded to by Stanley below, are as follows:
>
>Weaving/swerving - I have been crashed into by cyclists who are
>unpredictable.  I *thought* I could predict the next graceful curve enough
>to get by, but I was mistaken.
>
>Unpredictable rideouts - Folks leaving driveways or side streets without
>looking, slowing, or being otherwise predictable are a noticeable problem.
>
>Light/sign running - I have had very near misses, while driving and
>cycling, with cyclists who ignored traffic signals/controls while traveling
>at approx. 10-15MPH.
>
>Wrong way riding - I often have unpredictable encounters, and have had a
>couple crashes, with cyclists riding facing traffic.  I have also ended up
>with a cyclist running into the right  front corner of my car as I prepared
>for a right turn out of a side street.
>
>Unlit at night - I have had MANY close calls with unlit riders, who have
>often been exhibiting other unpredictable behaviors at the same time.
>
>I ride in the metro Fort Lauderdale area, night and day, rain and shine,
>and by far my worst set of problems comes from fellow cyclists who treat
>traffic rules "situationally".  If you're looking for a justification for
>following traffic rules, think of the obligation one has to society to not
>endanger others or to not, by endangering oneself, become a burden on
>society in general.
>
>Please don't try to defend behavior that is dangerous.
>
>Thanks,
>Whitney
>
>
>At 03:23 AM 4/29/04 -0700, Stanley wrote:
>  >SB:
>>The answer is that they aren't as concerned as you are
>>with demonstrating approved cycling positioning,
>>posture, or technique. Other cyclists may not be as
>>concerned as you in being in the "correct" gear, or as
>>concerned with taking the most efficient line through
>>a curve or from point A to point B, or complying with
>>the letter of unenforced traffic regulations (that
>>often are situationally irrelevant). In some cases
>>they may not regard safety in as high as regard as
>>you; some people do not make avoidance of every risk,
>>no matter what the significance, their paramount goal
>>in life. They may not define "not look where they are
>>going" the same way you do.
>>
>>The "answer" for adults and probably most older
>>children's "problem" is that they may not have a
>>problem.
>>
>>Your problem is failure to recognize that cyclists may
>>know the "correct" techniques, but choose not to use
>>them for reasons that don't jibe with your own cycling
>>values.
>>
>  >Stanley


Last names and email addresses removed since I did not ask their 
permission to reprint some of their words.

Fred (a believer in predictability, especially when I am the most 
vulnerable participant) Meredith
-- 
When in doubt ... ride your bike (or at least write about it).

Fred Meredith
P.O. Box 100 (12702 Lowden Ln for UPS/FedEx)
Manchaca, TX 78652
512/282-1987 (office/home)
512/282-7413 (fax)
512/636-7480 (wireless)
More than you want to know at: http://2merediths.com