Quote:
Originally Posted by T77911S
I dont like to see threads like these much less open and read them because of all the anger and hate. its not just about cyclists vs non cyclists. its really about how people that have no interest or knowledge of something perceive the interest of other people.
i know there are a lot of gun owners here. i am one, just got my CWP BTW. how do you like it when the non-gun owners try to tell you what to do with your guns? same thing with cyclists. soemone that does not understand their interest lableing them as something they are not or trying to tell them how to go about partaking in their interest.
it like this. go find the biggest. baddest hells angel motor cycle rider and try to make him understand your love of porsche's, much less try to to get him to drive one everyday. its the same as cyclists and non-cyclist. you will never understand why cyclists do what they do until you get out there and try to do it at a level more than just riding with your wife and kids in the neighborhood.
its like me hanging out with some of my redneck amercian made car lovers. they dont understand why i drive a "supped up volkswagon" nor do i try to convince them. they dont have an interest in porsches, never have and never will. but we repsect each other and what they drive or do.
so just have some repsect for orther people adn what they are interested in.
here are some thing i did for my safety that until you are on a bike, you would never understand and just get madd at.
there was a short section of road, 25mph, i would ride in the middle of the road because it was not a good place for a car to pass, but they could not wait a minute to get past. too many times cars did dangerous things there TO ME for it to be safe, and it was only 25mph. to make it worse, I was doing 25-28mph, but they still had to try to pass.
there is just something about a bike on the road that brings out the worst in people.
even though i could break the speed limit, i would still get yelled at. i dont see them yelling at the car going 20 in a 25.
same road but now it is 4 lanes and 25mph. i take up the right lane, doing on average the speed limit. the reason for taking the lane? tourist town. too many people step off the sidewalk and NEVER look, so i need the room to avoid them. also, cars pulling out from side parking lots. they look past me, then shoot straight across the 4 lanes to another road. being in the middle oof the lane gives me a better angle to see them, and for them to see me, plus, a little more time for me to react to them.
so you see.. there are reason cyclists do certain things. jsut like motor cycle riders. even though i dont ride a motorcycle, i can understand why they might do things they do, but if i dont, i try to give them the benefit of the doubt, and go about my driving.
so the next time you see someone doing something YOU think is stupid or dont understand and you know nothing about it, no matter if its a runner, a cyclist, a MC rider or what ever, just be polite to them and treat them the way you would want me to treat you or your kids.
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For me (and many) it's not a matter of understanding why you do what you do, it's the question of why you're allowed to. I could write a passionate post about how riding my shifter kart to work is a soul enhancing experience, uses much less fuel than my car, is easier on the roadway, etc... So what? It would be an explanation of my motivations not a justification.
To me the point is that based on outdated laws we allow people to "play" in heavy traffic for their amusement and entertainment. It's simply not safe and should not be allowed.
There simply should be much greater restrictions on which roads bicyclists should be allowed to ride on. I know full well it will never happen, I know you all think I'm nuts...maybe I am
