Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site sdcsvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!hu
From: hu@sdcsvax.UUCP (T. C. Hu)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Why I blow off STOP signs - (nf)
Message-ID: <435@sdcsvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 31-Oct-84 22:06:56 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcsvax.435
Posted: Wed Oct 31 22:06:56 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 3-Nov-84 04:25:22 EST
References: <16200065@uiucdcsb.UUCP> <1197@hou4b.UUCP>
Reply-To: hu@sdcsvax.UUCP (PUT YOUR NAME HERE)
Organization: EECS Dept. U.C. San Diego
Lines: 20


This is in response to the person who asked why stop for a stop sign
if I don't see anyone around.  One of the basic problems with this
attitude is that, even if you don't see anyone, it doesn't mean that
no one is there.  Human perception is highly context sensitive:  we
will only notice what we expect to see.  This creates a major problem
for bicyclists, because people driving cars don't expect to see a bicyclist.
Thus, the driver pulls out of a driveway, makes a turn, cuts you off, etc.
He/she simply didn't see you.  We, as bicyclists, are human, too (maybe
a little more :-)).  We tend to be looking for cars.  The problem is
that we just might run into another bike.  Physics isn't my forte, but
I'd guess that a bicycle-bicycle collision at high speeds can injure/maim/kill.
I've heard of lots of accidents caused by one (pseudo-)biker not seeing
the other, and I'm always afraid of some (pseudo-)biker riding the wrong
way, running stop signs, pulling the right-turn-U-turn-right-turn trick
at red lights, etc., and hitting me.  So, please, PLEASE, obey traffic
laws.  It might save your life, and mine.  (Then again, you might be out
to get me! :-))
					--Alan J. Hu
					  sdcsvax!hu