OT - !@$(%@ drivers -- RANT

I am not your enemy.
Really.
I have nothing against you until you put my life in danger. My children need a mom. My husband needs me too. And I really like living.

Think about it,
I'm not even in your lane, but in the bike lane. It is not good sportsmanship to try to run me off the road. Or to zip and turn ahead of me, nearly (and sometimes) causing me to hit you, fall down, etc. Or to cut me off just because you are bigger (and encased in a whole lot more metal than me in my little helmet.)

Think of all the benefits you have because I gave up my automobile to bike commute. Yes, I gave it away. We have one car in this family and I don't drive it regularly. I bike.

You have one less person to fight with a parking spot over. I'd win. I'm in before 7 a.m. And you aren't.
Gas is less, I'm not buying any so I'm not driving up the cost of it. I'm saving you money.
There is less pollution in the air you breath because I don't drive. I'm good for your health.

All I ask is that you drive safe around me. I have enough obstacles -- I even think there was a ham hock in the bike lane today. There is always glass from the bottles thrown from cars. I keep my eye out for you, but you are bigger and faster than me. When you play chicken I turn out of the way. See line 3 about my children.

If I have the right of way please don't bully your way in front of me.....The clearly marked BLUE intersection with No Cars In Bike Lane does mean you. Really. Yes, it really does even if it means you have to wait 30 seconds for the light to change.

That friend of mine you hit last semester. He's ok. Thanks for stopping to check. (Sarcasm, the driver left him on the side of the road.)

Thanks Ali

This is a university town and all the students are returning...
Some perhaps are a little lacking in common courtesy, or driving safely...some are on cellphones and don't want to be bothered coming to a stop. Most people are WONDERFUL . But it only takes one.:sad:

I wish they would make roads more biker friendly. It's not only dangerous for the bikers but for the cars that have to pass in the oncoming lane of traffic.

Agreed. And a really snappy ad campaign about road safety would be nice...

I agree with everything that has been said above. I am struggling with letting my daughter ride her bike to school for this very reason. BUT.... on the flip side, not only do we need a safety campaign for people who drive cars, but we need a bicycle education program for kids and young people. I have just about hit kids on bikes that blow through stop signs without stopping, not even looking to see if there are any cars around them. There are kids that ride facing traffic instead of going with traffic. (There are some adults that do this too) My job as a safe driver is to be aware of everything around me, including pedestrians and bikers. But they also need to be aware of me and follow the rules of the road too.... It's all about respecting everyone out on the road, 2-legged, 2-wheeled, or 4-wheeled. My job as a parent is to teach this to my children too.

MargieM, you are so very right. There are certainly some very ignorant adult and undereducated children when it comes to the rules of the road.

I honestly can't imagine letting my dd ride alone. The thought is very frightening to me, although I did when I was one year older than her... There are three very busy intersections and the bike route is on a busy road....ugh, no, I couldn't stomach her riding her bike on her own. (And we are considered a bike friendly town.) At one of these streets, a six year old boy was killed three years ago crossing for school.

You've inspired me to talk to our PTA about a bike safety course for the school. I'll also see if the university will do the same. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: