tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post3543966458312537663..comments2012-10-10T19:50:24.445-07:00Comments on Bicycle Alliance of Washington: What's a cyclist to do?Louise McGrodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727622892119143855noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-62866952884575041212011-09-15T00:17:17.963-07:002011-09-15T00:17:17.963-07:00In retrospect, I wish I had not stopped to talk to...In retrospect, I wish I had not stopped to talk to her at all. Or, if I had stopped, after she insulted me I wish I had the presence of mind to take her picture and say "See you on the internet". Would that make someone think twice before being rude to strangers?redheadedbikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12909030449633939092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-434693619746330342011-09-15T00:14:23.576-07:002011-09-15T00:14:23.576-07:00I just had a really similar experience. And in the...I just had a really similar experience. And in the past I have been confronted by a large male jogger stepping in front of me on the trail and yelling at me, he scared me! I thought he was going to beat me up. I am a not large female and it felt awful. But today this is what happened: <br /><br />I was riding SLOWLY on the sidewalk on 34th, near Stone Way. I came upon 2 pedestrians. I rang my redheadedbikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12909030449633939092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-90806568902332182172011-09-06T08:43:53.665-07:002011-09-06T08:43:53.665-07:00If you haven't read it, get a copy of "Ef...If you haven't read it, get a copy of "Effective Cycling" and read the chapters on Urban riding. It will help you ride in the city and in traffic.GaryP.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16946775119505539856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-1556228261823676142011-08-30T09:34:19.224-07:002011-08-30T09:34:19.224-07:00There are insane people everywhere. You just got l...There are insane people everywhere. You just got lucky and ran into two within a short time period. Oh well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-61133677540084050812011-08-18T13:05:23.993-07:002011-08-18T13:05:23.993-07:00I attribute the uptick in incivility toward cyclis...I attribute the uptick in incivility toward cyclists to: 1. General rising stress level in society (unemployment, lack of health care, overpopulation, lying sacks of feces politicians, or you fill in the blank ____________). 2. Cyclists are seen as weak, vulnerable, and we can hear them shouting (other motorists can not). 3. Increasing numbers of inexperienced or thoughtless cyclists who JD Millerhttp://www.checkpointpawn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-47101689693472824062011-08-18T11:28:21.408-07:002011-08-18T11:28:21.408-07:00I just had an interesting interaction with a motor...I just had an interesting interaction with a motorist. He asked me why I was in the middle of the street at an intersection (meaning I was not in the right-turning lane). As I explained that we can act as vehicles, he warned me that I was going to get run over by stupid drivers. That's when I was at least able to get a smile out of him, making him realize he'd just called himself stupid.<Whirled Travelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11199010017320669981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-31152791560601705522011-08-18T10:43:50.378-07:002011-08-18T10:43:50.378-07:00Typically my hecklers have been young and middle a...Typically my hecklers have been young and middle aged white males. I think in general there is less civility and folks are more inclined to exhibit this behavior when they are encased in their vehicles. Cyclists become an easy target for frustrated and angry drivers.Louise McGrodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11727622892119143855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-46982317764470533852011-08-18T10:43:19.898-07:002011-08-18T10:43:19.898-07:00No, you're not imagining it, Louise. I don'...No, you're not imagining it, Louise. I don't know what we're supposed to do about this uptick in anti-cyclist behavior; maybe some sort of campaign to humanize us? I wonder sometimes if we lose our humanity to others when we put on our helmets and it becomes harder to see our faces. It doesn't help that we're often perceived as being sanctimonious, either, whether or not we Michelle Swansonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-89302848676640275212011-08-18T10:41:38.390-07:002011-08-18T10:41:38.390-07:00I feel your pain. But I came to the realization We...I feel your pain. But I came to the realization Wednesday morning, when a truck angrily waved me past him (he apparently thought my hesitation to make sure he saw me, was impeding on his morning schedule), that it's okay if they're mad and yelling at me because at least they SEE ME. Of course this doesn't excuse their behavior and I'm not sure why there is such a hatred for us.<brJenni McW, Tacomanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-86010752102159874712011-08-18T10:29:21.258-07:002011-08-18T10:29:21.258-07:00I think that this pattern is fundamentally connect...I think that this pattern is fundamentally connected to the underlying frustration of a society which is moving away from any notion of a common good towards a more visceral cutthroat environment which is entirely consistent with the wealth distribution of a third world country. The right wing radicals are getting way too much attention and traction in the political and economic world, with manyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024600887499582729.post-23766988462763996472011-08-18T09:32:27.513-07:002011-08-18T09:32:27.513-07:00I've noticed a real uptick in anti-cyclist beh...I've noticed a real uptick in anti-cyclist behavior too. Drivers are passing closer and more impatiently and I've even endured an anti McGinn rant from one driver while riding up Mercer (west side two way section) who referred to "Mayor McSchwinn" so I guess he reads Joni Balter.<br /><br />I would hazard a guess that each of the yellers you encountered are middle aged white bradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08446559369990216386noreply@blogger.com