"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