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On How Being Annoying Saved My Life

Written by Boston Biker on May 08

You wouldn’t know it from watching people use the streets in this town, but most people have a strong desire to NOT be annoying. They will self censor, keep their views to themselves, and in general try to get along with their fellow human. For the most part this works out pretty well, and most people are actually pleasant and good folks. However there are some times when being annoying is not only a good thing but can save your life.

Right!

Specifically when riding your bike. I have written at length about what a door zone bike lane is, and how to ride in them. If I think a bike lane is just too small, or (more likely) if someone has parked too far into the bike lane, I will ride further to the left, sometimes well into the car lane.

This, to put it mildly, is very annoying to some drivers. They have to slow down, move over, there is honking. Frankly I feel for them, poor things. I sometimes keep them from getting to that next red light by several seconds… I don’t want to annoy anyone, but I will without hesitation. At least two times last week I was riding down a busy street when I heard the sound no cyclist wants to hear, the “krrchiss” of a finely crafted car door opening right in front of you. Twice last week careless car drivers opened their doors RIGHT (like inches) in front of me. Had I been riding far to the right like a “polite” cyclists, I would have had one of two choices, scream and hit the door, or hit the door and then scream. I could have also swerved into the travel lane and been run over…so I guess three choices.

Instead I calmly kept riding, because I was well outside the area that door was going to open. I was safe, sound and happy. Sure the car driver next to me might have been a little annoyed that they had to move over 2 feet, and slow down (there is always a red light ahead of you anyway, so slowing down just saved them some gas), but I wasn’t laying broken and bloody on the side of the road.

WRONG!

Its a pretty good trade off, I annoy drivers just a little, and in return I don’t get any broken bones or missing teeth. Everyone keeps on going happily, the idiot carless driver opening their door doesn’t get sued, or have to deal with the trauma of my blood all over them, and we all get to where we are going safe and sound. The maximum good for the most people.

This strategy also protects you from the many (many) pedestrians who seem to want to walk out into the street from between parked cars. So get out there and annoy drivers (just a little) in order to ensure your own safety. They might honk, they might even rev their engines as they pass, but so what, your safety is more important than their convenience. Overcome that natural tendency to be nice, and take the space on the road you need in order to be safe. And always remember bike lanes are to keep cars out, not to keep bikes in, if you need more space take it!

One Last thing: It is THE DRIVERS responsibility to NOT open their door if ANYONE is coming (pedestrian, cyclists, other drivers), the legal responsibility is on the person exiting the vehicle, but that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t take an interest in your own safety as a cyclist


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Bikes Not Rags: Donate Your Unwanted Rags To Bikes Not Bombs

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 22

There comes a point in every boxer shorts life when it simply gives up. You know what I am talking about, what starts as a little hole after a while becomes a giant ass exposing embarrassment. The same thing happens to your old t-shirts, and your old dish cloths, and well most old fabric. No longer will you have to suffer this indignity, because you can give your old rags to Bikes Not Bombs! That’s right, BNB needs some old rags to help with their kids education programs. If you have old rags, cloth that can be made into rags, old t-shirts, boxer shorts, whatever

Contact: Youth Program Coordinator Elijah Evans
[email protected]
or
617-522-0222 x101

Rag donors can also drop them off at the Hub by arranging it with Elijah (OR drop them off at the BNB Bike Shop during their open hours.

http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/locations#
http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/bikeshop


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Posted in advocacy, Bike Business, education, fun | 2 Comments »

Call The Governor NOW! Get The Bike Safety Bill Passed!

Written by Boston Biker on Jan 13

Just got this from MassBike.

TELL THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN THE BICYCLIST SAFETY BILL

Thanks to you, thirty-two legislators signed the letter of support delivered to Governor Patrick yesterday! We can still add more legislators to the list, so call your state representative and state senator today if you have not already done so. Click here for yesterday’s Action Alert and instructions.

Today, we’re asking you to contact Governor Patrick directly by phone or email, and ask him to sign the Bicyclist Safety Bill, S. 2573. Tell him that the bill will help get more people bicycling, which will protect the environment, make us healthier, and, perhaps most important during the economic crisis, promote more affordable transportation options.

To contact Governor Patrick:

1. By Phone: Dial 617-725-4005 for Governor Patrick’s opinion line. Be sure to give your name and city or town.

2. By Email: Go to http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_contact_us and scroll down to fill in the Email Form.

Please do not delay – call or email today!

About the Bicyclist Safety Bill (S. 2573): The key provisions of the bill are: police training on bicycle law; clarification of how to safely pass a bicycle; clarification of how to safely make turns in front of bicycles; “dooring” subject to ticket and fine; riding two abreast permitted when it does not impede cars from passing; improved enforcement of bicycle law for both motorists and bicyclists; and additional legal protections for bicyclists who choose to ride to the right of other traffic. The full text of the bill can be found here. For more details about the bill, including links to the affected statutes, see our previous Action Alert.

Click here to find your State Representative (called “Rep in General Court”) and your State Senator (called “Senate in General Court”), then click on their names to get phone numbers.


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The Word On The Street

  • RSS Here is what people are saying

    • Where bicycles are prohibited in Massachusetts August 16, 2023
      TweetThe main issue you will confront if you get into a dispute with police over bicycle prohibitions is whether the prohibition is supported by law. Often it is not. Example: the ramp from Commonwealth Avenue to Route 128 northbound and … Continue reading →
      jsallen
    • Where bicycles are prohibited in Massachusetts August 16, 2023
      TweetThe main issue you will confront if you get into a dispute with police over bicycle prohibitions is whether the prohibition is supported by law. Often it is not. Example: the ramp from Commonwealth Avenue to Route 128 northbound and … Continue reading →
      jsallen
    • It’s Finally Happening! 5th Annual Hot Cocoa Ride Feb 12! February 8, 2022
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    • It’s Finally Happening! 5th Annual Hot Cocoa Ride Feb 12! February 8, 2022
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    • Hello world! June 9, 2021
      Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing! Continue reading →
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    • Run The Jewels Lead Free Pewter Hand Carved And Cast Pin Set January 3, 2021
      Made these lovely RTJ fist and gun pin set. Hand carved in wax, and then cast in lead free pewter.  Because these are made by hand you can do fun things like add an extra small pin so that they sit just so (also means they have “customized” brass back plates to accommodate the extra […]
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    • My Work In The Wild: Feather Head Badge With Chris King Headset January 3, 2021
      One of my customers sent me this amazing picture of my feather badge installed on their (awesome!) bike.   Check out Manofmultnomah (here and here), apparently Chris King took some interest in it as well.  Want one of your own?  Buy it here, or here... Continue reading →
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    • Boston’s Invitation to Improve Biking in Boston: Draw on Some Maps! December 14, 2020
      TweetSometimes, the best way to gather ideas and feedback is to let people draw on some maps. Last night, at the Bike Network Open House, pedallovers unveiled a draft for their upcoming plans for a more connected biking network infrastructure … Continue reading →
      greg
    • Boston’s Invitation to Improve Biking in Boston: Draw on Some Maps! December 14, 2020
      TweetSometimes, the best way to gather ideas and feedback is to let people draw on some maps. Last night, at the Bike Network Open House, pedallovers unveiled a draft for their upcoming plans for a more connected biking network infrastructure … Continue reading →
      greg
    • Boston’s Invitation to Improve Biking in Boston: Draw on Some Maps! December 14, 2020
      TweetSometimes, the best way to gather ideas and feedback is to let people draw on some maps. Last night, at the Bike Network Open House, pedallovers unveiled a draft for their upcoming plans for a more connected biking network infrastructure … Continue reading →
      greg