A cyclist's thank you to Somerville

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

I want to thank...

the dog walkers who reliably block the cedar street bike path with leashes strung like Shelob's web. Also appreciated are their glassy, uncomprehending stares as I slow my bicycle to a near-stop to avoid catching Fluffy in my spokes. And I love dogs.

Thanks to the irresponsible moms with their ICBM-style children who love to play chicken with my bike as I commute to work each morning. There's really nothing like a little potential toddlercide in the morning to pull off the wool.

Thank you to the drivers that rev their engine and cut to the right to squeeze me into parked cars, because, well, presumably you just can't tolerate the idea that I'm making progress on the road while you're stuck in a jam. Additionally, thank you when I sneak past you anyway and you lean on the horn for ten seconds because I kicked off of your bumper.

Thanks to the state legislators bravely fighting the good fight to require cyclists to purchase insurance and attach license plates to their bicycles. I look forward to the day when we have to register and pay tax on each pair of shoes.

Finally, a big general thank you to everyone who's ever stolen my lights, stolen my seat, stolen my bike, mangled my wheel, stepped directly out in front of me, threw a plastic bottle at my head, heaved a shovelful of snow directly into my path, let the air out of my tires, stuck a stick in my spokes, pulled their car directly in front of me and stopped, hit me in the face with their double-wide umbrella, screamed in my ear as I rode by, plowed into me head on at 2 am on 9/11/10 while I had the right of way and then sped away, or locked another lock around my bicycle as a prank, to everyone who simply failed to recognize the fact that people are fragile and your road rage is not a legitimate excuse to endanger the lives of people who are just trying to make their way around their city.

OK. Thanks. I feel better.

Comments

[dcltdw]

To be fair, there's a state law that requires drivers, while within Rt 128, to test their horns every 3 miles or 3 minutes, whichever comes first. Just to, y'know, ensure that they are in working order.

Or at least, that's what my wife and I have inferred from driving around here.

*toot!*

[inahandbasket]

Amen.

Kudos to you for still riding in this weather, I'm a wus and won't be out again until this crap thaws. :-)

Cedar St. COMMUNITY Path?

[rollzroix.livejournal.com]

Or is there a Bike Path I'm not aware of?

Re: Minor quibble

[rollzroix.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I guess my post crossed with yours....

Re: Cedar St. COMMUNITY Path?

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

You're not aware of it.

It's primarily a bike path

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

That said, I like sharing with conscientious pedestrians and their pets, human or otherwise.

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

Cheers. This is the first day I actually walked to the bus. I felt so lame.

[ursomniac.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

You should also remember to thank the cyclists who:

* drive recklessly around pedestrians;
* ignore red lights, stop signs, one way signs, and
places where they're supposed to dismount;
* ride with headphones on;
* AFTER hitting a pedestrian (in the crosswalk on a "Walk" light) just look back to make sure they're still alive as they pedal off... (happened to me twice, and my disabled roomie once).

IT's these people who cause the rest of us to be less concerned about how cyclists "feel". You might find people are more courteous when you also are practicing courtesy.

Re: Minor quibble

[thespian.livejournal.com]

it's a bike path. pedestrians use it (happily; it saves me a third of the walk I otherwise have), but there are signs that say it's a bike path, the community garden is labelled a that it's the Bike Path Community Garden, and frankly, considering some of the stupid I see my fellow pedestrians do on it, I'm surprised the bikers don't petition to make it bike-only, some days.

Re: Cedar St. COMMUNITY Path?

[gandalfgreyhame.livejournal.com]

Google isn't an authoritative source.

The City of Somerville's site (http://www.somervillema.gov/Section.cfm?org=OSPCD&page=1336) describes it as a "bike and pedestrian path".

It's not just for you, sorry.

Well if it's labeled as such on google maps....

[rollzroix.livejournal.com]

...then google maps is wrong.

[thebostonreader.livejournal.com]

Maybe you could answer a question I've been wondering about as a driver - if I'm approaching behind a cyclist is it better to swing around them or drive along behind? I worry that I'm scaring them if I drive behind them and don't pass, but if I need to cross the median line to pass, is that more frightening?

Re: It's primarily a bike path

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Google Maps doesn't get to decide who the path's intended users are.

I'm sorry that happened to you and your roommate

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

Some of those behaviors are deplorable. I hate that some cyclists give the rest of us a bad name. I also attempt to be extremely courteous while biking.

That said, given their 360-degree visibility, the judgment of an experienced cyclist should be trusted at stop signs and red lights.

Re: Cedar St. COMMUNITY Path?

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

Never said I did, and I don't, want it just for me. :)

[thespian.livejournal.com]

You might find people are more courteous when you also are practicing courtesy.

that's pretty accusatory of the OP.

Re: Well if it's labeled as such on google maps....

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

It's just not the case. Of course responsible pedestrians are also welcome, but it is a bike path.

Re: Cedar St. COMMUNITY Path?

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

I think the point was the the commenter IS aware of it, but it's NOT a bike path. It's a multi-use path. Toddlers are ALLOWED to run around on there as much as they want. dog walkers are ALLOWED to use leashes (actually REQUIRED to use leashes)

Just like you are correct in complaining about cars cutting you off on the roads, etc, you are incorrect in complaining about pedestrians. They have the right of way. You have to deal with them.

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

Please go around them! They're used to it, and having a car hover behind you is far more distracting. That said, make sure to give them at least a couple inches. Sometimes big potholes or parked cars whose doors swing open can force a cyclist to the left unexpectedly.

Re: It's primarily a bike path

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

That's true, but the city does.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

All of these - I don't want to hear the excuse for running red lights that it gets them away from cars which endanger them.

Re: Cedar St. COMMUNITY Path?

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

You're welcome to abstract my complaints out to "complaining about pedestrians" but the fact is I specified specific behaviors and intellectual honesty dictates you respond on the same level. I have no problem with people who are walking their dogs while being aware of their surroundings. Plenty of dog walkers and children pose no problem or threat to safety.

Re: Minor quibble

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

It is a bike path that allows mixed use, and when you use it stay to the right. You, your kids, and your dogs. If you walk on the left (incl walking 2 abreast right in the middle), you may get a cyclist buzzing within a couple inches of you. If you let your kid or dog stray to the left, they are in danger of getting hit and it won't be the cyclist's fault.

Re: Minor quibble

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

Thank you. This is exactly right.

Re: I'm sorry that happened to you and your roommate

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

In my experiece, when riding a bike I have LESS visibility than when driving a car. In a car, I have rear view and side mirrors. In a bike, I'm bent over, have trouble seeing too far straight ahead, much less to the sides, and NOT AT ALL behind me.

So, no I don't trust cyclists.

Also, how do I, as a motorist or pedestrian know if the cyclist heading towards me is experienced or not?

Bicycles are vehicles. They must obey the laws regarding vehicles.