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From: avi@pegasus.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Bicycles and parked cars
Message-ID: <550@pegasus.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 29-Sep-83 01:16:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: pegasus.550
Posted: Thu Sep 29 01:16:37 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 23-Sep-83 03:34:40 EDT
References: <2134@tekecs.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Lincroft NJ
Lines: 38

Well, it had to happen sooner or later! My nice new car has been mutilated
by a puny bicycle. I always assumed that I would be hit by a truck -- or at
least a big American gas-guzzler. Instead, I was sideswiped by a bike while
PARKED on a Brooklyn Street (that will teach me not to visit my parents).
I had just parked, and before I got a chance to shut the engine off (I tend
to shut the air-conditioner first), I was grazed by a young man carrying
a bottle of wine.

He managed to knock off my right rear-view mirror off (bouncing it onto my
hood) and scratch the paint on three panels. He was not hurt. The wine
bottle was smashed. He claimed that he "hit a bump" while he was trying to
hold on tight to the bottle and some groceries. Needless to say, getting the
repairs done is a pain-in-the-neck (some people have a lower opinion). I
have not found the days during which I can live without my car. He
claims he will pay (estimate >>$220.00), but I wonder what would have
happened if I had not been in the car? Would he have left me a note?

There was no bike-lane in this one-way street. Is it legal (wise?) for a
bicyclist to carry things while riding? Do they have to keep things in a
basket of some sort? Can I take him to court if he refuses to pay? Is it
legal (safe?) for me to drive with my mirror (still in a box from the
dealer) in my trunk. If he had been hurt, would I be liable for obstructing
his right of way by keeping my car in a legal parking spot?

All kidding aside, I am very uncomfortable with cyclists of all kinds on the
road. I am really afraid of hitting them. Motorcyclists, in particular, love
to weave in and out of traffic. Because they are narrower, they seem to feel
that they have the right to ride on the dashed line between lanes. Some also
love to rev up their motors as they pass you. Now that I can close my
windows, this noise is minimized. I admit that I also do not like trucks,
buses, pedestrians, big cars and little cars when I am driving. I do not
discriminate. I dislike all competitors for the right=of-way.

	(-:					:-)

-- 
-=> Avi E. Gross @ AT&T Information Systems Laboratories (201) 576-3063
    suggested paths:	[ihnp4, allegra, hogpc, ...]!pegasus!avi