- Running Stoplights, especially in the busy downtown area; and
- Riding on the left, facing traffic.
So the other day I was riding home on a two lane road with bike lanes in each direction. There was another cyclist on the opposite side of the road, riding in the bike lane but against traffic. We were almost matched in speed so I slowed down a little, waved, and said, "Great day for a ride." When he responded I said, "I don't know if you know this, but riding against traffic is against the law and very dangerous."
You would have though I had insulted his wife, mother and firstborn. He reacted to me with a violence almost physical, suggesting that I have an inappropriate relationship with both myself and my mother, among other things.
Maybe I should take his advise and just mind my own business. I know that since then I have seen two offenders and not said a word. That bothers me as well. Somehow, as a body of 'transportation' cyclists, we have to find a way to politely yet effectively educate new or oblivious cyclist about riding legally and safely.
1 comment:
Amen, for your efforts! When I see similar shit I always remember something my grandfather told me.
"You can lead a jackass right to water, but you can't force it to drink!"
Same thing goes for all those fixie riders who refuse to put brakes on their bikes and then claim that their local city laws ban fixies. No city laws in this country ban fixies, they simply ban fixies with no brakes! ;-)
Cheers!
Post a Comment