June 30, 2010: Bike Lane

[ToastyOhs]

Yes, I agree, but I don't want to have someone put up a memorial for me.

[Pete Zicato]

Originally Posted by ToastyOhs

Yes, I agree, but I don't want to have someone put up a memorial for me.

Me either.



Cause that would mean I was dead.

[spudcon]

Originally Posted by glatt

They have just added a bunch of bike lanes in DC too. DC is fairly bike friendly, for a US city. It's still dangerous, but it's much better than most.

When cyclists are killed, it actually makes the news and people care. Some mysterious person (or persons) puts up memorials every time a cyclist is killed. And if the city removes them, they put another up in the same spot until the city gives up.

This one memorializes a woman run over by a national guard truck a couple blocks from my office this Spring.

No wonder the cyclist died, there's no tires on his bike!

[Glinda]

Originally Posted by Griff

See, everybody wins... most everybody... well a couple people.

The cultural aspect of this is interesting. I remember riding in Ireland and how careful the cars were around cyclists. We got razzed by German cyclists for our helmets and mirrors, items we need in the States because we will get driven off the road or hit with a beer bottle or slapped in the back of the head.

I'm not a bike rider, so I have no dog in this fight, but a neighbor told me something he used to do as a teen that gets me giggling every time I imagine the scene.

Seems, whenever he and his older brother were driving around and they'd approach a pedestrian or biker headed the same direction, he'd lean out the passenger window and yell "BANG!" right next to them, as loud as he could.

Couple of guys fell off their bikes, he says.

Ok, ok. If it happened to me, I'd be pissed as hell, but come on. That's FUNNY.

[classicman]

sorry - I've no dog in this fight either, but...

Approximately 50 percent of Traumatic Brain Injuries are the result of motor vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian-vehicle incidents.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Glinda

I'm not a bike rider, so I have no dog in this fight, but a neighbor told me something he used to do as a teen that gets me giggling every time I imagine the scene.

Seems, whenever he and his older brother were driving around and they'd approach a pedestrian or biker headed the same direction, he'd lean out the passenger window and yell "BANG!" right next to them, as loud as he could.

Couple of guys fell off their bikes, he says.

Ok, ok. If it happened to me, I'd be pissed as hell, but come on. That's FUNNY.

Thanks classic, your response was much more reasonable than what I almost posted.

[spudcon]

Cats hanging from a snake, bikers getting hurt, and cellarites getting offended. Sheesh. Getting much to serious around here.

[Griff]

I'm gonna lighten up. Thanks for the heads up Spud.

[spudcon]

All part of the service. I save my sensitivity for politics, usually.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by Griff

Thanks classic, your response was much more reasonable than what I almost posted.

And mine.
My Dad cycled to and from work for years because we didn't have a car. He'd have split his sides if someone had done that to him.

[Pete Zicato]

Illinois just passed a law requiring adequate clearance for cyclists.

The new law increases penalties for attempting to harm or threaten bicyclists. Under the law, drivers who intimidate cyclists with threats, crowding or throwing items will be subject to a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.

http://www.illinois.gov/PressRelease...=1&RecNum=8597

[xoxoxoBruce]

Then you either kill 'em, or you have to pay a $2500 fine...hmmm.

[ZenGum]

Could be worse.

[Griff]

not a problem

[Glinda]

Originally Posted by spudcon

Cats hanging from a snake, bikers getting hurt, and cellarites getting offended. Sheesh. Getting much to serious around here.

No kidding.

It wasn't me. I wasn't there. I'd never do such a thing, and it's not remotely like being hit with a beer bottle, slapped in the back of the head, or run over. The image it conjures up just makes me laugh.

Sheesh.