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From: jj@rabbit.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: bikes and cars.  Hear!  Hear!
Message-ID: <1948@rabbit.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 19-Sep-83 10:43:41 EDT
Article-I.D.: rabbit.1948
Posted: Mon Sep 19 10:43:41 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 21-Sep-83 02:45:40 EDT
References: <1374@hplabsc.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Labs, Murray Hill
Lines: 40

Thanks, Anna, you've just put flamed out one of my pet peeves.
In NJ, we have the same tendencies, plus the occasional pickup
truck driver who thinks it's fun to make cyclists duck his 2' extended
rearview mirrors.  

I do a fair amount of riding around the back roads in NJ, and I've noticed
that there are two classes of easily offended drivers.  The first class
is that of the young <high school to highschool +10> male <or less often
female> driver in an old car, who thinks that you have no  right to the
road.  I once managed to get a person of that type ticketed when he went to
a cop and bitched <the only word that fits his attitude> about that
damned "biker" on the wrong side of the road.  The cop when out looking
for a motorcycle riding down the left side.  When he came back, the
creep yelled at him, and blasted off.  The cop followed.  Soon, he
passed me, screamed out the window <let's leave out what he said>
and cut me off.  The cop acted accordingly.
At the time, I was on a wide road, where there was no trouble passing, 
even two abreast, if you wanted to be extreme about it.

The second type of annoying driver is the meek driver who will
NOT pass you, given 4 miles of clearance on a 4 lane highway.
<I exagerate, I do NOT ride on  4 lane highways>  This type of driver
is being excessively careful, as far as I can tell.  While I'm grateful
for the care, even if excessive, the reaction of the drivers behind
the first one is something to be avoided at all costs.


While I'm at it, I'd like to flame out all of those fools who ride their
bike on the WRONG side of the bloody road.  Flame, Flame, Flame, you
idiots.


A final note.  A LOT of drivers think you belong on the wrong side of
the road.  While most motor vehicle manuals point out that such is
not the case, many individuals haven't read the manual more than once, if
at all, and remember what they learned when they were kids.  I think a 
lot of aggravation could be prevented if this idea were stomped out.

Shimano forever!