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From: matt@absolut.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Re: Bicycles, Violence and Hatred -
Message-ID: <4300002@absolut.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 2-Jun-85 15:05:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: absolut.4300002
Posted: Sun Jun  2 15:05:00 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Jun-85 01:34:31 EDT
References: <732@mtgzz.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:mtgzz:-73200:absolut:4300002:000:1800
Nf-From: absolut!matt    Jun  2 15:05:00 1985



eju at drutx writes in response to Sanjay Tikku:

>the RIGHT to do so.  We are supposed to be living in a civilized society
>where reasonable laws dictate how we interact with each other.  Those laws
>say we all have an EQUAL right to use public right of ways.
>Whether we choose do drive a car, or drive a bicycle doesn't confer any
>superiority upon one or the other.  As such, we need to cooperate with each
>other in order to use the public facilities provided.  Ill admit many roads

This strikes me as the most sensible & intelligent thing written on the
subject so far.  We as serious cyclists have an agenda we should be 
furthering, on the bike and off, and we need the cooperation of the noncycling
public.

Regarding the use of obscenities, while "giving the finger", and shouting
"F___ YOU!" may be fair, in the sense of equal treatment, it is not just-
ifiable.  It does not improve the position of cycling a legitimate trans-
portation. It does not increase goodwill of the non-cycling public. Worst
of all, it spreads language pollution and subjects innocent bystanders to
unnecessary vulgarity (a redundant expression to be sure).

I'll admit to having, under provocation & the influence of adrenalin, used
some of the language described above.  I give the driver the benefit of the
doubt these days, tho. I especially avoid blowing my top at a horn blower
because some turkey cut me off a few miles back. Are we so sensitive that
we cannot bear a few decibels of noise?

As good as it might feel to let of some steam, it is far more satisfying to
help a driver maneuver safely past you in traffic with hand signals, or
to stop and give a broken down motorist or novice cyclist a hand. 

                                           ===>>>matt
"some of my best friends are motorists."