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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!rlgvax!cvl!umcp-cs!zben
From: zben@umcp-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Bicycles (GRRRR!)
Message-ID: <2673@umcp-cs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 21-Sep-83 16:02:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: umcp-cs.2673
Posted: Wed Sep 21 16:02:59 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 23-Sep-83 06:12:28 EDT
Organization: Univ. of Maryland, Computer Science Dept.
Lines: 27


 I would be far more willing to grant cyclists their right-of-way on the
streets if they would only consent to obey the traffic laws!  Let me
illustrate with an example:
 Have you ever been stuck behind a slow cyclist and finally find a break
in oncoming traffic large enough to safely pass, only to come to a red
light AND HAVE THE SAME CYCLIST WHO WAS SLOWING YOU DOWN RIDE STRAIGHT
THROUGH THE LIGHT?  Now (when the light changes) you are back in the
same position you just escaped from: having to crawl along at 10 miles
per hour until ANOTHER break in traffic allows you to safely pass!
 It's unfortunate but the facts are clear.  A cyclist on a road is
essentially an obstacle.  10 MPH is equivalent to standing still when
you are going 40.  The vast majority of travellers ride motor vehicles.
This vast majority pays for the roads.  Cyclists should do the utmost
to minimize the hassle and hazard their hobby causes to the mainline of
humanity.  That's only common decency.
 I don't like having to negotiate the same hazardous obstacle more than
once per day.  It gets frustrating and boring.
 Have you ever noticed how ludicrous it is for hundreds of people to
drive somewhere with bicycles strapped to the back of their cars just to
have a bicycle race or rally.  If they really practiced what they preach
they would *ride* there (and some of my hardcore cyclist friends do
exactly that).
 Just how do you think your bicycle got to the store where you bought it?
Did you ride to Japan to get it?  It was delivered by a truck.  The same
kind of truck that brought the terminal you flame on, the modem you use,
the Phone company man who connected your lines, the food on your table,
need I continue?