tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2466551233649992250.post2360325069431441838..comments2023-09-22T05:47:45.847-06:00Comments on Maynard Hershon: Sidewalk terrorists...Maynardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830982091384886121noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2466551233649992250.post-65210209527815189442008-06-28T19:06:00.000-06:002008-06-28T19:06:00.000-06:00Hello Maynard,I recently found you blog. I've enj...Hello Maynard,<BR/>I recently found you blog. I've enjoyed reading your work for a long time now. I have always liked the insight you add to events surrounding the cyclist's life and rides. We spoke many years ago. I'm John from Blairsville, PA. We talked about one of the stories that got you into writing on cycling like you do. Anyway, I'm happy to fine out you're still at it.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04600381245091729057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2466551233649992250.post-6169779988107436822008-06-26T08:44:00.000-06:002008-06-26T08:44:00.000-06:00Nice post Maynard, as always.I tend to see this (r...Nice post Maynard, as always.<BR/><BR/>I tend to see this (riding on sidewalks, specifically) as a problem in urban areas with a premium on public space. Pedestrians have to be there (no place else for them to go) and some cyclists prefer to be there (away from the roadway terrorists). Add in sidewalk cafes and you have a bunch of contested space. Riding a bicycle on an urban sidewalk? Some degree of conflict is unavoidable. Myself I won't do it, but I'm comfortable in traffic. I wouldn't want a 10 year old riding in the same traffic. <BR/><BR/>From dealing with this issue a ton when I was working as a local planner I'll say that in my opinion the behavior isn't getting worse per se. I think its the frequency of events that is changing and the general acceptance of rude behavior in our society. I don't know what the answer is. The engineer in me thinks wider sidewalks ... but that would only address the physical part of this issue.<BR/><BR/>So, with my tongue firmly in cheek - I'll blame it on the urban hipster fixie revolution. I mean, those guys don't even care if their drawers are falling down .... rebels!!sdahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08573201854566191645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2466551233649992250.post-82651458097905249982008-06-25T22:19:00.000-06:002008-06-25T22:19:00.000-06:00I'm not sure they are getting worse, Maynard. I th...I'm not sure they are getting worse, Maynard. I think we are getting more critical. <BR/><BR/>The sad part for me? My wife is terrified by the idea of me getting a motorcycle. I am pining away for a big BMW twin or a 750 triple, one of the bikes I always wanted when I was riding my CX-500. That's the real tragedy of it all. Fear.Khalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11866897914538110672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2466551233649992250.post-63472238936580330932008-06-25T22:10:00.000-06:002008-06-25T22:10:00.000-06:00As you can see from the post and my comment, Khal,...As you can see from the post and my comment, Khal, I don't have the answer either. I hate thinking that things are getting worse...<BR/>MaynardMaynardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830982091384886121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2466551233649992250.post-48641769935712874622008-06-25T22:05:00.000-06:002008-06-25T22:05:00.000-06:00Well, Chris...I do the same thing. I do not procee...Well, Chris...<BR/>I do the same thing. I do not proceed if anyone will see me. Maybe that's what you mean by "the coast is clear."<BR/><BR/>Neither of us has anything to prove about how fearless we are or how masterfully in control of the bike we are...or how little we care about others. <BR/><BR/>I guess I'm making a pretty fine distinction here - between careful cyclists who don't always follow the letter of the law, and outlaws who're proud of their carelessness and happy to offend.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for writing, Chris<BR/>MaynardMaynardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830982091384886121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2466551233649992250.post-13537286775344572892008-06-25T22:00:00.000-06:002008-06-25T22:00:00.000-06:00Well, yesterday while riding home from work I was ...Well, yesterday while riding home from work I was passed simultaniously by two cars running side by side, one on my side of the road and one across the double line. Drag race, perhaps? I got off my 54 year old butt and sprinted down the street and caught one of them and asked what the hell that was all about and got a blank stare and some mumbled rationalization in return.<BR/><BR/>This morning I watched a red BMW 3-series (red, convertible) flagrantly blow a red light through a crosswalk. Sure, cyclists do it, but cyclists are not behind 3500 lbs. of steel. <BR/><BR/>I dressed down a cyclist for blowing by a ped at speed on a narrow sidewalk--told him he was riding like an idiot. Another dumb stare in return.<BR/><BR/>As the County Transportation Board Chair in Los Alamos and a League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor, sometimes I do that sort of thing--challenge people to explain why they are acting like goof balls. I figure safety is part of our duty as a Board.<BR/><BR/>Someone tell me why is it any better to ride like an idiot than to drive like an idiot. The basic problem is, after all, idiocy. Someone fill me in, especially since many of us ride the sidewalks to avoid the roadway terrorists. Please, fill me in.Khalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11866897914538110672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2466551233649992250.post-2842318428882872008-06-25T21:41:00.000-06:002008-06-25T21:41:00.000-06:00Well, I must make a confession - though I'm not a ...Well, I must make a confession - though I'm not a sidewalk terrorist, I do bend some laws while on my bike. For example, on my commute to work, I go through a residential area with three lights in a row. When I hit one red, I check both ways and then proceed through if the coast is clear. Sure, I know I shouldn't, but I figure, hey, who am I hurting? I'm surely doing less damage than the guy beside me waiting at the light idling his Cadillac Escalade, right? Or is this just me rationalizing my criminal tendencies?Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08224050991266032410noreply@blogger.com