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From: fish@ihlpg.UUCP (Bob Fishell)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Car driver asks for advice from bicyclists
Message-ID: <1356@ihlpg.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 14-Oct-85 18:10:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihlpg.1356
Posted: Mon Oct 14 18:10:32 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 16-Oct-85 05:01:58 EDT
References: <354@sol1.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 33

> 
>     A couple of nights ago I found myself sharing a dark road with a bicyclist
> wearing jeans and a dark jacket.  He had no reflectors on his bike, and no
> lights.  Within a quarter of a mile I watched him ride in circles on a road
> with a 45mph speed limit, run a red light, and cut from the right-hand side
> of a busy road to the left, where he proceeded to ride against the traffic.

> WHAT THE HELL DO I DO ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE THAT?
>     I was trying, hard, to keep that idiot in sight so I could avoid him.
> I lost sight of him anyway, more than once.  I'm still upset at the idea 
> that I could have collided with him.
>     So I'd really like to hear what the many responsible bicyclists out there
> have to say on the subject.

Let's get some terms straight first.  "Bicyclist" does not apply to the
individual you describe.  "Idiot" is a much better term, but "punk kid"
is probably the best by far, since the sort of behavior you describe can
usually be attributed to an irresponsible boy between 11 and 16.  The
usual methods of dealing with such individuals apply: treat them exactly
as if they are blind, deaf, and brain-damaged, because the amount of 
attention they'll pay to you is about the same.

Try approaching them slowly, flicking your brights, and passing with as much
room as you can manage.  Don't bother talking to the kid; if his parents
haven't dealt with him, you can't either.  Most local laws prohibit bike
riding without reflectors or lights, but you know that there's never a cop
within 20 miles when you see somebody doing an anus imitation in
traffic.
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				Bob Fishell
				ihnp4!ihlpg!fish