On Sep 2, 2:23 pm, Chalo <
[email protected]> wrote:
> There are
> plenty of cyclists who express their rejection of car culture through
> open disregard for traffic laws pretty much all the time.
That's the excuse for scapegoating of cyclists by MV operators (on the
road or in letters to the editor <g>): "they don't obey the law!!!
So, IMHO it's a good idea to obey the law at least as far as those in
MV's do-- IOW, if they roll a stop sign, it's me next, doing the same
thing. Happens all the time, me plus 1-3 or more MV's going through a
four-way stop, we all roll it. But slowly, taking turns, etc. etc. On
the same basis, I've been waved through stops by potential "arresting
officers". The difference is demonstrating control and ability to
actually stop before entering the intersection. A far different thing
from blowing lights or signs.
> Massers, in
> my observation, aren't like that. They "go along to get along" the
> rest of the month, because they understand that their objections are
> better recognized through collective action. I think that in a lot of
> cities, CM has brought discussion of road-sharing issues out into the
> open when they otherwise would have been ignored.
My experience with CM in Austin was quite different. The CM ride was
turning right (29th and Guadalupe, since you know Austin) on their way
back to their campus starting point. One asshole saw I intended to
turn left, and just in time to stop me, jammed over an blocked my
legal right of progress at a green light until the entire Mad Max--
Thunderdome crowd (complete with chariot) passed, and then joined in,
making me sit through another red light. Big smirk when he pulled the
move, while some asswipe in a car behind (no doubt one the the MV
drivers who was going to give a few of the poor tired protesters a
ride home after the ride), saw what was going on, made a point to honk
and cheer, gesticulate, etc. just to **** me off. All very obvious.
Critical Mass got a real bad rep in Austin, and very well deserved. It
was all about "getting even" with the bad drivers. Which just doesn't
happen on the road or on the playground, either.
Oh yeah, I was driving a funky old compact car (Dodge Omni) with a
bike rack on the roof. And, as if it would make any difference, my
daughter, about 2 years old at the time, was in a kid seat in the
middle, rear. Very obvious.
I know there was at least one famous incident where a jeep driver hit
a CM'er or two. The few times I saw CM riding, I saw only a remarkable
patience exhibited by MV drivers-- while rush hour traffic on one of
the busiest central roads was deliberately blocked (Lamar Blvd. is the
one I remember as the worst).
> Acquiescence is consent. Just be glad that others are not as
> acquiescent as you are.
This is one place I strongly disagree with you. It can be done a whole
lot smarter and more effectively.
Today I rode in my new "neighborhood" for the first time (Barton Creek
off SW Parkway). Three lanes total, center lane for turns, either
direction on a winding, hilly road. Surprisingly busy for Sunday
morning (there are at least two churches on the road, I believe). I
was passed by maybe 20 cars, maybe more. I waved to almost every
single one of them in thanks as they gave me a good Old Austin pass--
way over from way behind, lots of room in front, too, no racing motors
either, let alone nasty honking. Saw some other riders, none waving as
they were also treated courteously, plus. We all know that at least
some "church traffic" is the most dangerous there is <g>, I'll remind.
I've had other regular routes in a few other neighborhoods here (incl
Round Rock <g>) (bedroom community nearby), where cooperating and
being friendly (while occasionally being forceful about standing up
for my right to my space) have cultivated good relations with other
"regulars"-- moving over to give a little extra passing room when
safe, waving passers around corners they can't see around (very
carefully, of course), and so forth-- and whaddya know, I start
getting cut a lot of extra slack, also waves and friendly honks as
folks drive by (no, not all of them, this ain't the Good Ship
Lollipop). That's "going along to get along", as opposed to being a
***** like the guy who blocked me because he was pretty sure he could
get away with it. It was a moment of temptation, I'll admit. "Not
worth getting in trouble for", but please! give me a break on CM, as I
saw it in Austin, fostering improved bike-driver relationships.
And the ducking of responsibility, too-- "CM has no leaders, it just
occurs". Yeah, complete with publicity that just falls out of the sky
somehow. What chickenshits.
Ride your bike, act like an adult, protect yourself at all times.
Break the us/them dichotomy with a little appropriate respect, let the
assholes go find another asshole to fight with. In general, of course!
Outta electrons, thanks. --D-y
