Anti-bicyclist rage

It is sad really that motorists feel threatened by those of us who decide to commute on human-powered, two-wheeled machines.

In the 1970s I was run off the road and physically assaulted by a construction worker who had chased me down.

Not long after that, a group of teenagers drove their car next to me and opened the door in motion, causing me to fly over the handlebars face down into the gravel. At other times, beer bottles and miscellaneous debris were thrown out the window at me.

In another episode, a security guard in a vehicle with an amplified loudspeaker approached me from behind and instructed me to “get off the road.” (I was unaware that private security persons had any authority on a public street.)

Recently I was struck by a foot-long sandwich. I hope it was worth the price they had paid for the sandwich.

I will spare the reader from further anecdotes. However, the recent legislation in Columbia (6/17, A1, “Town takes aim at anti-bicyclist rage”) and other cities is long overdue.

Bicyclists like me have been riding for years, and we are not going away. You might as well get used to it.

Richard L. Wagner
Kansas City

It seems that Al Fleeman (6/23, Letters) needs a lesson or two on road rage. His rant toward cyclists exemplifies the need to educate Missouri drivers on the rules and rights of the road.

Mr. Fleeman, bicycles are traffic, and we have the same right to be on the road as drivers like yourself do. If your driving lanes are so precious to you, then you should also be in support of bicycle lanes throughout the metro area. If cyclists such as myself had our own lanes, we wouldn’t be in “your” way.
 
In September, I was hit by a pickup truck while riding my bicycle to work, suffering a broken jaw, clavicle and shoulder as well as head trauma. I continue to ride my bicycle today, and I will ride until the day an aggravated motorist runs me down again.

The more you complain, honk and yell at me while I’m on my bike saving gas, burning calories and living a happy and healthy life, the happier I feel about slowing you down on the road.

Why are there 20 cyclists riding together and slowing you down? Because there is strength in numbers against angry motorists.

Vanessa Beer
Kansas City

Comments

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

You have a right to ride but riding as if you own the road in rush hour and pretending to be "LAnce" is retarded. No one is impressed with your faggy spandex, stay off the main drags and stay out of the middle of the road.

[Dewey]

Last week, the day the story about Coumbia was posted, I happened to be at a meeting that had two local police officers. So I asked them, "Have you ever written a ticket for someone on a bicycle?" the answer from one was No and they probably wouldn't. When I asked about bikes being subject to the same traffic laws as my car, the other officer said "you know, he's got a point. I wouldn't have a problem with it." So I am writing my mayor, city council, and police chief and ask why they don't have the police enforce the traffic laws on everyone in the streets. You should too.

[JoCo]

Casady,

I think you posted one for here in "Fed Up With GOP". If not, sorry to meddle

[JoCo]

Kee,

What's your problem with Hondas? That factor in your equation surprises.

[Kee]

Careful Hoppy, my B-I-L and I drive one of the vehicles you named in an SUV configuration. He has a CCW permit, I do not, but I can legally carry in my vehicle and I do....

It is tough to sterotype in the Midwest.

[Casady]

"For instance, I assume he's over-weight and he "carries" for protection. We can also safely assume he drives an imported vehicle of some kind. Maybe a Benz or Beemer? At least a Lexus?"

"You assume too much, and it shows your prejudice (if not your ignorance)."

Agreed Marc. I think it's fair to say that the Mercedes/Beemer/Lexus and conceal and carry crowds are probably miles apart. As for the issue, I think the answers lies somewhere between the positions held by the likes of Al Freeman and Vanessa Beer. Both are a bit over the top.

[GCYL]

“You //whispering// assume too much, and it shows your prejudice (if not your ignorance).”

Agreed.

“It makes me wonder if Richard doesn't do something while riding that tends to aggravate drivers more than just a typical cyclist (i.e. riding in the middle of the street, much slower than surrounding traffic, for long periods of time, weaving through stopped cars at lights, etc.).” - Marctnts

That was my first thought too but drivers are a lazy, crazy bunch and I was about to give Richard L. Wagner the benefit of the doubt with a bad personal history of being at the wrong place at the wrong time until he ended his letter on a telling note.

“You might as well get used to it.” - Richard L. Wagner

Then I thought what went around came back around. Cyclists deserve their own marked areas so at the very least they can separate themselves from Richard and his karma. It’s unfortunate that we can’t easily do the same for drivers.

[Kee]

Bicycle elitism, "borrowing a page from Horsey."

"I suspect Richard and Vanessa have concerns about all full sized vehicle drivers after all they are racists, bigots, and homophobes.

I also assume they are dangerosly thin, have Obama and save the whales stickers on the back of their Hondas, and dine exclusively at Starbucks,or are vegans. They play frizbee golf on week-ends. And and guns and soldiers, suck."

Richard and Vanessa you are oh, so, so, so, GREEN! Ta Dah!"

Back at you Horsey, lol....

[Marctnts]

"For instance, I assume he's over-weight and he "carries" for protection. We can also safely assume he drives an imported vehicle of some kind. Maybe a Benz or Beemer? At least a Lexus?"

You assume too much, and it shows your prejudice (if not your ignorance).

Okay, to the letter. While I don;t condone anything that's happen to Richard while riding, does anyone else find it just a little suspicious that so much has happen to one guy? It makes me wonder if Richard doesn't do something while riding that tends to aggravate drivers more than just a typical cyclist (i.e. riding in the middle of the street, much slower than surrounding traffic, for long periods of time, weaving through stopped cars at lights, etc.).

[powillie]

Passive, aggressive jerks. If you can't keep up with traffic, don't play with your toys in the street. Didn't your mommy teach you better?

[whispering_to_kc]

I suspect "Al" has issues beyond his concerns over bicyclers. His kind always do.

For instance, I assume he's over-weight and he "carries" for protection. We can also safely assume he drives an imported vehicle of some kind. Maybe a Benz or Beemer? At least a Lexus?

I'd hate to be in front of Al at the Price Chopper checkout when the cashier has to call for a price check on one of my items.

Al's #1!! Al's #1!! Al's #1!!