In the March 23rd edition of RedEye (story may require registration), the Chicago Tribune's hipper and cheaper (its FREE, and strangely can now be delivered to your home) daily sister paper, they examined the heightening tensions (let's face it, for some its close to all out road rage warfare) between cyclists and drivers.
Copyright 2006. RedEye (Tribune Interactive, Inc. ("TI"))
After I read the article, I was a bit conflicted (almost schizophrenic; "I've never run through a red light on my bike," or "Yes I do see you, no need to pound on the car.") as I debated the staffers' top ten reasons why drivers hate cyclists and vice versa, given that I've been on both sides of that frustration.
Now do we, cyclists, belong in the urban setting? Although not mapped out specifically in the US Constitution, riding a bike is an activity/freedom entitled to everyone. Groups such as Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and grass roots efforts such as Critical Mass have been set up to fight for our rights on city roads. Richard Daley, Mayor of Chicago, has even set out on an agenda to make the city the most bike friendly in the USA. But even though we have the right, should we exercise it? Wouldn't we be better served cycling in areas where the hazard of our next turn is dependent on how much speed we carry into it and the not on the opening of a car door?
The issue in Central PA goes way beyond red lights and speeding. There is no regard for cyclists rights by motorists whatsoever. The simple fact is that in PA cyclists are permitted to use the roadways (unless posted) just as a car is period. Bicycling magazine recently awarded Portland, OR as the best cycling city in the US. Amazingly, they were the only city in the US to have their rate of obesity decrease YOY and their polution numbers are down as well. Coincedence? I think not.
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