"Tom Sherman" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
> GeoB wrote:
>
> >>I firmly believe that one thing that cyclists
> >>in cars can do for cyclists on bikes is to do
> >>the speed limit on all roadways open to
> >>cyclists.
> >
> >
> > I feel that we should all do the speedlimit on all roads. And feel
> > free to use the 'fast' lane [1]. Used to be folks appeared to maybe
> > be a lil embarrassed that they were speeding, and would slow down to
> > work their way through a crowded stretch of road. Not now! They
> > crowd my bumper (to me this is threatening my life with their blunt
> > instrument), flash their lights and worse. The speedlimits are OUR
> > laws. The authority to enforce them is derived from us the citizens.
> > The speeders are, therefore, very much our business. One could even
> > argue that we as citizens have a responsibility to NOT aid the
> > speeders in speeding by yielding to them.
> >
> > It is so bad hereabouts that unles you are willing to break the law
> > then you cannot even use the fast lane. Unless you drive a large
> > vehicle as I do (when I cannot avoid it, my Suzuki Samurai is down for
> > a new suspension install so my tow vehicle is all I have left when I
> > can't bike).
> >
> > I have reached a point that I drive where and how I would drive if the
> > speeders weren't there [2]. If I would normally drive in the left
> > lane of the freeway, then I do so now, and let the speeders deal with
> > the inconvenience. If I am trying to merge right to an exit, and the
> > speeders are coming up too fast on my right, I just move over, let
> > them work it out. It is their situation, their scoff-law attitude
> > caused whatever traffic situation we are in. I do not wish to have to
> > change MY driving in order to accomodate THEIR lack of respect for our
> > laws, their lack of concern for being a good example to our young
> > drivers, their self-indulgence that scares our older citizens off of
> > the road.
> >
> > [1] In Calif on multi-lane roads, the law doesn't actually require
> > slower traffic to take the right-most lane. And the 'slower traffic
> > use turnouts' or 'slower traffic stay right' was never intended for
> > folks doing the speedlimit.
> >
> > [2] I should mention that I only do this when driving my 6500 lb
> > diesel pickup. When driving my lil Suzuki Samurai I am still
> > obnoxious but take more care for my life.
> >
> > GeoB
> >
> > Givers have to set limits because takers
> > rarely do.
> > - Irma Kurtz
> The problem is not speeding per say, but a general breakdown in US
> society of considerations of social responsibility and respect for
> others. This breakdown is seen in other areas: using the vehicle horn
> instead of a doorbell in residential areas, inflicting the "thump-thump
> of hip-hop on ones neighbors, etc.
>
> Tailgating behavior is an act of either ignorance/stupidity [1] or
> aggression with its implied threat of violence (I will run you off the
> road if you do not get out of my way). This is part of the same
> inconsiderate and offensive behavior that leads people to buy vehicles
> of ever larger size so they will have a perceived advantage in a
> collision with another vehicle (and the desire to broadcast that
> attitude to others roadway users).
>
> As for why this is occurring, the relative social isolation [2] and
> deliberate avoidance of people of a different social class in the US are
> certainly partly responsible. The belief of might makes right promoted
> by government, the competitive business system, and the popular
> entertainment industry must also share a large portion of the blame.
>
> [1] Not taking into account that if the vehicle ahead makes a sudden
> stop, a collision will occur.
> [2] This is one of the greatest advantages of bicycles over motor
> vehicles - communication with other cyclists is easily performed while
> riding, so the social restraints are present that disappear when a
> person gets in his/her isolation box of a motor vehicle.
>
> --
> Tom Sherman – Quad City Area
Bravo, Mr. Sherman! I couldn't agree more with you on everything you say in
your message above (except for some segments of your last paragraph
excluding your confounded footnotes).
Very many of the younger generation coming up today are essentially not only
uncivilized, they are not even socialized. Unfortunately we all come into
this world as savages and we have to be socialized. That is the most
important task of society. Whether of not we ever become civilized is up to
the schools. I fear for the progress of America as I do not see the levels
of sophistication that existed prior to my generation. We are failing in the
essential task of socializing the young. We are raising a generation of
savages. Civilization itself is in peril. We could easily end up like a
third world country where life is savage, brutal - and short!
By the way, I have always associated with people of all classes all of my
life. I learned this very valuable lesson in my youth when I was in the Navy
that people are pretty much the same and there is never any reason for
avoiding anyone. This also comes from small town living where everyone more
or less knows everyone else. These gated communities are an abomination. I
abhor them!
Government and business don't have much to do with our decline, but I do
believe that our entertainment industry has a lot to do with the low level
of culture prevailing in this country. I even have some sympathy for the
Islamic extremists who simply hate our popular entertainment which is being
exported to the rest of the world. But enuf of ye old curmudgeon!
--
Ed Dolan - Minnesota