When the rages washes over a Boston driver
By adamg - Thu, 06/18/2009 - 11:05am.
First, Fox in Detox did NOT hit the woman who was just standing with her bicycle at Washington and Beacon in Brookline, blocking an entire line of cars who had the light. But she has a better understanding now of why somebody might have been tempted.
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While I applaud people who
While I applaud people who ride bikes in lieu of driving a car, I find it frustrating that every single day that I walk the streets of Boston, I observe cyclists NOT following the rules of the road: not stopping at stop signs, running red signals, yapping on cell phone/texting while riding, etc. I think the worst example of cyclist arrogance was when my mother and I were nearly run over by a cyclist speeding down the sidewalk who screamed profanities at my mother and I for not getting out of his way quickly enough! We were walking on a sidewalk... I mean, hello! A Masshole is a Masshole, whether it's behind the wheel or on two wheels.
Biking is tough
There's no excuse for what the biker did there, that's just stupid (as far as I can tell from this side of the story.) Interesting - I've just started biking into work, 4.5 miles each way from central Somerville to South Station. Some bikers do ignore the rules as described. I've seen some rude and/or stupid pedestrians though - crossing at a do-not-walk light when I've got the right-of-way through an intersection. Just because I'm not a car doesn't mean it won't hurt if I hit you!
I absolutely agree with you.
I absolutely agree with you. Pedestrians, runners especially as I assume they can't be bothered to halt their momentum, often ignore safety rules, common courtesy and common sense.
or on two feet, for that matter
The situation Fox in Detox described happens to cyclists wanting to go all the time - only it is the PEDESTRIANS who are standing around in the bike lane.
That said, stand in the same places you drive through and, if you even know the laws yourself, count how many car drivers:
block intersections
rip through yellow lights (often to block intersections)
run red lights outright
fail to yield where indicated
block railroad crossings
not bother to stop for a stop sign
not wait their turn at a four-way stop
turn on red where prohibited
take left turns across traffic without yielding to oncoming traffic
wander into and out of or block bike lanes to pass
on the right or make right turns without yielding to the bikes
turn without signalling
change lanes without signalling
stop past the stop line (as in, across the crosswalk and/or into the intersection)
I see a whole lot of this in a typical day from the seat of my bike. Cyclists may be masshole drivers too (and most have a drivers' license) but at least cyclists aren't piloting two tons of heavy, motorized equipment when they rule fail!
Boston especially
The Boston area has a strong culture (not universal, but strong) of thinking one knows better than the rules.
Partly, some of the rules don't inspire a lot of respect. Partly, so many people are ignoring the rules that many people don't even consider them rules anymore.
So, are you saying that
So, are you saying that bikers have a little more right to be masshole drivers because they're on a bike and not inside 2 tons of car?
It's about responsibility, less about rights
A Masshole biker is less likely to wipe out lives through negligent behavior than a Masshole driver. It's why we let virtually anyone ride a bike, but require a license for the privilege of driving.
Fox in Detox is angry
Fox in Detox is angry because he chose the wrong mode of transportation.
Lusting....
While you guys are engaged in your car/bike bashing, I'm lusting over that gorgeous Rivendell....
Lovely
Makes me want to run over an elf.