A Bone to Pick
Neither Neil or I are very fond of bicycle riders right now. In light of the recent bicyclists who have been hit, the conduct that Neil and I have experienced of bicyclists in the last two days is frustrating and stupid. It would be frustrating even if there hadn't been any bicycle accidents recently, but I would think that bicyclists would have a heightened awareness (we certainly do). What we have experienced has been anything but.
Two nights ago Neil and I went to see American Gangster at the Lloyd Center. We were at a stop light on Grand waiting to turn right. Our light turned green and a bicyclist on the cross street ran his red light. He rode across four lanes of traffic when we had a green light. It's a good thing I was paying attention and didn't turn or I would have hit him - actually, he probably would have ridden into the side of my car. Neil decided to roll down the window and yell at the man that he had run a red light, and when he did, the man responded with a lovely "fuck you". He was not wearing a helmet, it was dark, he wore no reflectors and didn't have a single light on his bike and he ran a red light, across four lanes of traffic, and he's yelling fuck you at us? That pissed me off. Especially because you know that if he had gotten hit, he would be seen as the victim. Screw us automobiles and those who don't "see bicyclists" or don't "share the road". I mean, what gives?
Then, last night, on our second attempt to see American Gangster (it was sold out the first night), we were driving down SE 12th to the Lloyd Center and just before Hawthorne a bicyclist ran through a stop sign and rode right in front of us. Neil had enough time to react, but it didn't change the fact that it was dark and she didn't stop - she was a little too close for comfort. Then, after the movie, on the drive back, at the same cross street, another bicyclist blew through her stop sign and Neil actually had to hit the breaks relatively hard. Not only that, but she was gabbing away on her cell phone. It's dark, she runs a stop sign and she's talking on her cell. Again, what gives?
Now, I'm not a bicycle rider (besides the occasional recreational ride), so perhaps I can't empathize with them, but why the stupidity and disregard for traffic signs (that we automobiles have to obey) and complete disrespect when their poor riding choices are brought to their attention? It truly frustrates me. Neil and I are pretty aware when we drive, but if we hadn't been in the last couple of days (which, if you ask me, most drivers are not very aware), then we might have been in the news and there would have been yet another bicycle "victim." It takes two, people.
Pregnant and cranky,
Aislinn
Two nights ago Neil and I went to see American Gangster at the Lloyd Center. We were at a stop light on Grand waiting to turn right. Our light turned green and a bicyclist on the cross street ran his red light. He rode across four lanes of traffic when we had a green light. It's a good thing I was paying attention and didn't turn or I would have hit him - actually, he probably would have ridden into the side of my car. Neil decided to roll down the window and yell at the man that he had run a red light, and when he did, the man responded with a lovely "fuck you". He was not wearing a helmet, it was dark, he wore no reflectors and didn't have a single light on his bike and he ran a red light, across four lanes of traffic, and he's yelling fuck you at us? That pissed me off. Especially because you know that if he had gotten hit, he would be seen as the victim. Screw us automobiles and those who don't "see bicyclists" or don't "share the road". I mean, what gives?
Then, last night, on our second attempt to see American Gangster (it was sold out the first night), we were driving down SE 12th to the Lloyd Center and just before Hawthorne a bicyclist ran through a stop sign and rode right in front of us. Neil had enough time to react, but it didn't change the fact that it was dark and she didn't stop - she was a little too close for comfort. Then, after the movie, on the drive back, at the same cross street, another bicyclist blew through her stop sign and Neil actually had to hit the breaks relatively hard. Not only that, but she was gabbing away on her cell phone. It's dark, she runs a stop sign and she's talking on her cell. Again, what gives?
Now, I'm not a bicycle rider (besides the occasional recreational ride), so perhaps I can't empathize with them, but why the stupidity and disregard for traffic signs (that we automobiles have to obey) and complete disrespect when their poor riding choices are brought to their attention? It truly frustrates me. Neil and I are pretty aware when we drive, but if we hadn't been in the last couple of days (which, if you ask me, most drivers are not very aware), then we might have been in the news and there would have been yet another bicycle "victim." It takes two, people.
Pregnant and cranky,
Aislinn
posted by Aislinn at
9:02 AM
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