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From: powers@noscvax.UUCP (William J. Powers)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Car driver asks for advice from bicyclists
Message-ID: <55@noscvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 15-Oct-85 11:19:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: noscvax.55
Posted: Tue Oct 15 11:19:08 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 16-Oct-85 06:48:10 EDT
References: <354@sol1.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego
Lines: 32

> 
>     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.
>     I should say right away that this note isn't a flame about bicycles or
> bicyclists.  I know from observation that bicyclists average out as much 
> more responsible road users than car drivers do.  I've done enough bicycling
> that when I'm in my car, I give bicycles every break I can.
>     The reason I mention this incident is so you'll know what I'm talking 
> about when I ask 
> 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.  Should I have flipped on my high beams (quartz
> halogen; I would have been able to see the bicycle, but would have blinded
> oncoming cars)?  Should I have tried to pull over in front and talk to him,
> or would that seem like harassment?  Should I have called the cops?
>     I honestly want your advice, and will incorporate it into my driving 
> habits.
>         Fred Wamsley    ihnp4!sol1!s255

My personal opinion is that you had certainly done more than the jerk
deserved or could expect.  My experinece is that talking to these
idiots is a waste of time.  The only way that these people are going
to learn is for them to have the s__t scared out of them; and, believe
me, this will certainly happen to them if they live long enough.

Bill Powers.