Critical Mass tomorrow night
After last month’s brake light-inducing bike-fest, I thought I’d write a community service post.
Tomorrow night is the monthly Critical Mass ride. Plan accordingly.
More info is available at Wikipedia.
[Via Faster Moustache via kissatlanta.com]
Gee, I hope I get to personally experience their illegal actions this month.
Critical Mass motto: “Same Road, Same Rules – unless we don’t feel like following those rules.”
Aside from being selfish and self-righteous, (forcing EVERY single person who comes by you to slow down beyond a reasonable measure, pass someone with no protection from an accident at a very close distance, and usually have to go in the oncoming-traffic lane- endangering the lives of others) bicycle riders seem to forget that they are supposed to be subject to the same road laws as everyone else. That means, no riding through a red light when there is no traffic, no U-turns in the middle of the road, and DONT RIDE IN THE ROAD if you can’t maintain the minimum speed limit. When I pass you on the road- I am breaking the law. You are forcing me to choose between an illegal act, and driving at 15 miles an hour. Get off the road.
“and DONT RIDE IN THE ROAD if you can’t maintain the minimum speed limit.”
This is not the law. Look it up before making your grand proclamations, please.
GA law also states specific exceptions for bicycles and pedestrians in the definition of impeding traffic. In fact, only motor vehicles can impede traffic by the definition.
I find it hard to beleive your lives are so incovenienced by bicyclists all the time. I’m sure the extra 2 mins in an air conditioned SUV isn’t too unbearable.
I can see how my post comes off as revelling in my own assholiness, but I honestly respect the riders a great deal.
And even last month’s uniformed post on the ride was written more because motorists were cool with riders and vice versa than it was to look down my nose at Critical Mass.
This was posted purely so folks who might not have been aware of the ride can now choose to avoid the bikers.
Hey T, here’s the thing: bikes are at an inherent disadvantage on the roads. Asking them to obey the same laws as cars is like hauling up a guy who tapes the Simpsons for piracy. As a driver, I’ve got no problem with giving a biker a break as long as it doesn’t make things more dangerous — and frankly, driving 15 miles per hour is not dangerous. We’re not talking about interstates here.
As for selfish and self-righteous, what is it about being encased in a ton of metal that makes you think the road is strictly for cars anyway? Well of course: sheer physical power. How clever is that? So once in a blue moon a group of people decide they’d like to ditch the automobile en masse. You know what? Get over it.
The problem that I have is the red light running…I know the large group wants to stay together as one, but when has a caravan of personal vehicles ever had the right to stop traffic to stick together?
I respect riders very much, I don’t care if you ride in the middle or ride slowly – I can usually pass you safely relatively quick. But blantantly disregarding rules that apply to everyone (not just cars) shows a lack of mutual respect.
Also, David – please don’t assume that everyone who does not ride a bike is in an SUV…or has functioning AC….
1) You are right- there is no law stating a minumum speed you must maintain. That does NOT change the fact that it is dangerous to go more than half the regular flow of traffic speed OR posted speed limit
2) You are correct- bikes are at a natural disadvantage on the road- so, as a 12 year old doesn’t play in the NFL, bikes should not ride on the road.
3) What is it that makes me thing the road is strictly for cars? The fact that they are designed for cars- not bikes. Notice: lane width/speedlimits/pressure-plated light sensors/etc
4) Since everyone tactfully evaded my chief arguement, I will state it again:
BIKES ON THE ROAD ARE DANGEROUS because since no one- aside from the bike rider- wants to go 15 miles an hour, we pass them, as is generally accepted. Thus, bike riders in the road force people in cars to move around them, switching half into a lane of oncoming traffic. And once more, selfishness- I don’t care whether it is law or not, forcing everyone who rides on the same road behind you to go out of their way to slow down and endanger themselves and others to go around you, is selfish. You are inconveniencing everyone to suit your purpose. It is no different than the assholes who sit in a turn lane, trying to get back into the straight lane, rather than just taking the turn and coming back around.
It’s not the bikes that are dangerous. It’s the cars. If you can’t pass a biker without killing her, that’s your mistake, not hers.
“You are inconveniencing everyone to suit your purpose.”
This may be the dumbest point you’ve made thus far. Cars make life more dangerous for everyone, but we accept that risk to suit our purposes. You can’t deal with a minor inconvenience? That’s ridiculous. If it’s such a pain to you, you ought to be out campaigning for bike lanes.
If Atlanta would build some bike lanes – this wouldn’t be an issue would it?
Coming from a non-car owner (Atlanta drivers has successfully totalled 4 cars of mine from their lack of driving ability) and daily cyclist on the ROADS of Atlanta – Yes, a lot of bicyclists don’t obey traffic regulations which is unexcusable. The same as a car running a yellow light. The same as that SUV that hit me a month ago on N. Highland and didn’t stop. The same as a cyclist not having a flashing red light on their back/bike at night. It’s all illegal.
Treat us kindly and we’ll do the same.