Comments on: The Hit Parade Continues http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/ A community for cyclists in Boston Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:57:29 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Boston Biker » Blog Archive » This Is A Tragedy, Not Only Because Of What Happened, But Because It Could Have Been Prevented http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-1598 Boston Biker » Blog Archive » This Is A Tragedy, Not Only Because Of What Happened, But Because It Could Have Been Prevented Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:37:44 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1196#comment-1598 [...] that is where I stop being even handed and start addressing only motorists. I am talking to the Monique Spencer’s of the world here. Several studies and a lot of personal experience has led me to conclude the vast [...] [...] that is where I stop being even handed and start addressing only motorists. I am talking to the Monique Spencer’s of the world here. Several studies and a lot of personal experience has led me to conclude the vast [...]

]]> By: Boston Biker » Blog Archive » Monique Spencer Responds…Sorta http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-1419 Boston Biker » Blog Archive » Monique Spencer Responds…Sorta Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:55:25 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1196#comment-1419 [...] a while back that absolutely off base op-ed in the globe about sneaking up on cyclists in a hybrid and scaring the crap out of them (it [...] [...] a while back that absolutely off base op-ed in the globe about sneaking up on cyclists in a hybrid and scaring the crap out of them (it [...]

]]> By: Bicyclists in Boston Get Called out for Lawlessness | The Blog @ Directory of Boston http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-1255 Bicyclists in Boston Get Called out for Lawlessness | The Blog @ Directory of Boston Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:13:34 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1196#comment-1255 [...] it’s also downright crazy and illogical. First off, car drivers should realize that more bicyclists means less cars on the road and that’s a good thing for everyone. Less cars means less traffic means less pollution. [...] [...] it’s also downright crazy and illogical. First off, car drivers should realize that more bicyclists means less cars on the road and that’s a good thing for everyone. Less cars means less traffic means less pollution. [...]

]]> By: Adam Pieniazek http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-1211 Adam Pieniazek Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:58:03 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1196#comment-1211 Yeah, riding a bike is often faster than driving in Boston. The way I see it, car drivers should welcome each and every cyclist with open arms. More cyclists = less cars = less traffic. Yeah, riding a bike is often faster than driving in Boston. The way I see it, car drivers should welcome each and every cyclist with open arms. More cyclists = less cars = less traffic.

]]> By: Boston Biker » Blog Archive » The Myth Of The Law Breaking Cyclist http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-1185 Boston Biker » Blog Archive » The Myth Of The Law Breaking Cyclist Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:20:58 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1196#comment-1185 [...] all the silly stories in the Globe lately, the general talk among people I meet, and even people commenting here [...] [...] all the silly stories in the Globe lately, the general talk among people I meet, and even people commenting here [...]

]]> By: Aaron Pikcilingis http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-1183 Aaron Pikcilingis Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:29:40 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1196#comment-1183 As an aside, the article mentions the scourge of the Longwood Medical Area. I ride my bike in the LMA every day and anyone who rides, walks or drives here every day knows the *real* scourge are the turkeys. As an aside, the article mentions the scourge of the Longwood Medical Area. I ride my bike in the LMA every day and anyone who rides, walks or drives here every day knows the *real* scourge are the turkeys.

]]> By: Aaron Pikcilingis http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-1182 Aaron Pikcilingis Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:58:12 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1196#comment-1182 I'm a cyclist and just as frustrated as everyone to see this, but the author does have one valid point: Bikes are, legally, required to follow the same laws as other vehicles (with a few exceptions, noted a few days ago here via a link to MassBike). We shouldn't be running reds, stop signs, or riding on the sidewalk. So what do we do? I agree, it's not every cyclist, but it's way more than it should be. I'm tired of hearing people say "stop demonizing cyclists because of a few bad apples." Let's be honest: at an average light there are more cyclists running the red than waiting at it. I stood on the sidewalk in Porter Square on Tuesday for 10 minutes (waiting for a friend) and counted 22 people ride up on the sidewalk. That's a problem that won't be solved by pointing out that not every cyclist rides on the sidewalk. That's a problem that causes pedestrians, drivers, and other cyclists to get annoyed. So what do we do? Does MassBike need to get responsible cyclists to stand in trouble spots and encourage people not to run the light, not to ride up on the sidewalk, not to ride the wrong way up a one-way? I’m a cyclist and just as frustrated as everyone to see this, but the author does have one valid point: Bikes are, legally, required to follow the same laws as other vehicles (with a few exceptions, noted a few days ago here via a link to MassBike). We shouldn’t be running reds, stop signs, or riding on the sidewalk.

So what do we do? I agree, it’s not every cyclist, but it’s way more than it should be. I’m tired of hearing people say “stop demonizing cyclists because of a few bad apples.” Let’s be honest: at an average light there are more cyclists running the red than waiting at it.

I stood on the sidewalk in Porter Square on Tuesday for 10 minutes (waiting for a friend) and counted 22 people ride up on the sidewalk. That’s a problem that won’t be solved by pointing out that not every cyclist rides on the sidewalk. That’s a problem that causes pedestrians, drivers, and other cyclists to get annoyed.

So what do we do? Does MassBike need to get responsible cyclists to stand in trouble spots and encourage people not to run the light, not to ride up on the sidewalk, not to ride the wrong way up a one-way?

]]> By: Dan Pugatch http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-1180 Dan Pugatch Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:00:35 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1196#comment-1180 ridiculous. all these artlicles lately are bullshit. why should 3 speed bikes be banned? im faster on a old three speed than most people are on fancy road bikes ridiculous. all these artlicles lately are bullshit. why should 3 speed bikes be banned? im faster on a old three speed than most people are on fancy road bikes

]]> By: tim http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-1165 tim Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:21:02 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1196#comment-1165 After reading the article in the Globe (and getting a hearty chuckle every now and then) I now feel as though I can comment. As a city dwelling pedestrian (no car, no bike, just my legs), I have been wanting an outlet for my own feelings and this seems as good as any. I do happen to think that cyclists take advantage of their position--riding through red lights, often without ever stopping at all, darting through traffic, traveling at often higher than legal speeds, going the opposite direction on one way streets (even in their own dedicated lanes, where there are convenient directional arrows!), and let's not forget riding on the sidewalk. Pedestrians certainly have their problems: jay-walking, text-walking, cell phone talking etc., no argument there. Frankly if ever I am involved in an accident where the fault lies with my decision to cross against the light, or some other personal choice, then, too bad for me. All I ask for is respect and consideration for my safety. All we walkers have are the crosswalks and walk/don't walk lights. If cyclists are to be permitted to disobey the vehicular traffic laws, then pedestrians have no way of guaranteeing their safety. Taxis are enough of a worry, not to mention drivers who are on their cell phones, not paying attention. But they all still stop at a red light and travel in the direction of the designated road they are on. Why? Because it's the law. And these particular laws are pretty darn effective at guaranteeing both pedestrian AND driver/rider safety. As far as I am concerned, bicycles are vehicles powered by the human being riding them--hence, a type of motored vehicle. As such, they should respect the existing laws guiding motor vehicle traffic. Is that too much to ask? After reading the article in the Globe (and getting a hearty chuckle every now and then) I now feel as though I can comment. As a city dwelling pedestrian (no car, no bike, just my legs), I have been wanting an outlet for my own feelings and this seems as good as any.
I do happen to think that cyclists take advantage of their position–riding through red lights, often without ever stopping at all, darting through traffic, traveling at often higher than legal speeds, going the opposite direction on one way streets (even in their own dedicated lanes, where there are convenient directional arrows!), and let’s not forget riding on the sidewalk.
Pedestrians certainly have their problems: jay-walking, text-walking, cell phone talking etc., no argument there. Frankly if ever I am involved in an accident where the fault lies with my decision to cross against the light, or some other personal choice, then, too bad for me. All I ask for is respect and consideration for my safety.
All we walkers have are the crosswalks and walk/don’t walk lights. If cyclists are to be permitted to disobey the vehicular traffic laws, then pedestrians have no way of guaranteeing their safety. Taxis are enough of a worry, not to mention drivers who are on their cell phones, not paying attention. But they all still stop at a red light and travel in the direction of the designated road they are on. Why? Because it’s the law. And these particular laws are pretty darn effective at guaranteeing both pedestrian AND driver/rider safety.
As far as I am concerned, bicycles are vehicles powered by the human being riding them–hence, a type of motored vehicle. As such, they should respect the existing laws guiding motor vehicle traffic. Is that too much to ask?

]]> By: Paul http://bostonbiker.org/2009/08/13/the-hit-parade-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-1164 Paul Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:25:20 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1196#comment-1164 Since when did newspapers start printing comments by trolls and passing it off like it's legit. Some cyclists are complete d-bags, undeniably. And I'm not against ticketing cyclists, as long as they could take measures to make sure they weren't targeting cyclists disproportionately. But really, cyclists cause her to have road rage? By definition, isn't there something wrong with the person who has road rage? Perhaps she was trying to be funny, but we are talking about defenseless cyclists versus heavy machinery (even if it is an f-ing hybrid!). Maybe instead of requiring licenses for cyclists, they should screen for road rage for motorists (and cyclists, for that matter). The problem is everyone thinks it's a right, rather than a privilege to own an automobile. I knowingly take the risk of riding in city traffic (or rural traffic, for that matter), but I would like to eliminate that risk as much as possible by educating people and getting people like this writer to deal with her issues or get out of the car. More importantly, though, we really need a revolution in how we move about. We need to stop developing everything for cars. The car is not here to stay (see peak oil, Iraq war, etc.), and the sooner we transition, the better. Since when did newspapers start printing comments by trolls and passing it off like it’s legit.

Some cyclists are complete d-bags, undeniably. And I’m not against ticketing cyclists, as long as they could take measures to make sure they weren’t targeting cyclists disproportionately.

But really, cyclists cause her to have road rage? By definition, isn’t there something wrong with the person who has road rage? Perhaps she was trying to be funny, but we are talking about defenseless cyclists versus heavy machinery (even if it is an f-ing hybrid!). Maybe instead of requiring licenses for cyclists, they should screen for road rage for motorists (and cyclists, for that matter). The problem is everyone thinks it’s a right, rather than a privilege to own an automobile.

I knowingly take the risk of riding in city traffic (or rural traffic, for that matter), but I would like to eliminate that risk as much as possible by educating people and getting people like this writer to deal with her issues or get out of the car.

More importantly, though, we really need a revolution in how we move about. We need to stop developing everything for cars. The car is not here to stay (see peak oil, Iraq war, etc.), and the sooner we transition, the better.

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