......... what a cool Bicycle based Action comic book...........
.............Maybe blatant intended bicyclist harm is still common by location these days, I just don't see it around here.
What I do see is inattentive distracted drivers.
...........Just thoughts to make it safer for all of us that doesn't involve explosives ;-}
It does seem as though blatant intended harm, and/or really gross auto negligence, is more common in some places than in others, doesn't it?
I'm pretty lucky there. I've been riding these same streets for over twenty five years now and I'm sure that no one yet has tried to kill me or run me off the road, or anything like that. Every now and then some shaggy dog in an old Camaro will yell, "You freakin' loser!!!!" or something like that. But it's not common. Plus that's actually just rudeness. And while it's hostile, it's not the same thing as actually trying to cause someone harm. They think they're being clever. (Not) And I think that's their motivation for it. (It does say something, though, about the general level of maturity in our society. They perceive you as being alone and friendless out there on the road. So they become bullies. It's really not all that common. But it's more common than it should be in a species that considers itself --ourself?---to be such a big, screaming deal.)
I also carry myself like someone who knows what he's doing out there. And I think that does make a difference. I think the drivers are less hostile if they're not apprehensive about the possibility of you doing something unexpected and crazy.
It helps me to remember all the vehicles that pass by me without incident on a ten-to-fifteen minute trip.............
...........While most involve just plain stupid people, there do seem to be a few motorists out there who seem unable to abide sharing the road with the likes of us, and have no qualms about taking it out on us. So try to stay safe folks.
Over the years I've gotten the impression that Indianapolis is one of those places that's a bit hard on bicycles. It's a shame because it's a city that I mostly like.
Not that I know the place like the back of my hand, but I've wandered around in there and looked the place over many times. One impression I've gotten is that, on the edges and in the suburbs particularly, there are too many main arteries and too few side streets that actually go anywhere. That makes for very bad bicycling. I'll bet I don't have to tell you that, Allen, do I?
All in all, I don't perceive the roads to be really all that hostile. And a lot of motorists really are pretty considerate of me. But there is something that I think would help a great deal. It involves a mis-understanding on the part of the motorists.
You see, the reason that they are so frustrated and quick to anger is
all of those other cars that are
everywhere getting in their way. Driving anywhere today actually is a matter of getting in line and waiting your turn. There are too many cars on too few roads.
Guys like us were smart enough to get out. Yet when they come across us they tend to be quick to blame us for their daily traffic frustrations.
They could benefit, and so could we, if they'd question their love affair with their car. But no one, almost literally
no one wants to do that.
But things aren't too bad. We can get along. But those of us on two wheels will be smart to keep in mind that we're usually operating right near the figurative teeth of a running buzz-saw. It's something to keep in mind at all times.
