Whazup with bicycles?

[JReedEsq]

All this talk about assaulting people. I want someone to find themselves in this position, they will change there tune in a hurry. It just puts a fear in you that is impossible to describe.

You are mis-reading the word assault. It is limited to an intentional act. An example would be intentionally running someone off the road or intentionally throwing a heavy object at someone with intent to cause injury. Your situation is not what I'm talking about at all. Sounds like you did nothing wrong at all.

[JReedEsq]

Mr. Reed, I do hope your arguments in court are better thought-out and better presented than what we've seen here. :lol:

WTF? You make some BS arguement comparing cycling to DUI with absolutely no statistics to back it up. Here's how I'm different from you:

1. I wouldn't make a claim like that without evidence to back it up. Btw, I'm probably ridden 100,000 miles in the last 10 or so years and managed not to cause any accidents. How's that possible since you think cycling puts everyone at risk?

2. I stick to what the law is. You make it up as you go along. I can see it now, "Your honor, I don't like that... why, why, it should be illegal, whoever does it should"get what is coming to them". That's it. That's all your posts rolled into one.

I'm done with this BS.

Edited March 8, 2011 by JReedEsq

[Lumber_Jack]

I think Jamie is the only one who thinks he has made a valid argument here. Mr Reed you have faught a good fight, I tip my hat to you.

[Curiousgb]

You are mis-reading the word assault. It is limited to an intentional act. An example would be intentionally running someone off the road or intentionally throwing a heavy object at someone with intent to cause injury. Your situation is not what I'm talking about at all. Sounds like you did nothing wrong at all.

I know what it means. I just think that the people that are saying it, have no idea what it would feel like to actually be responsible for injuring another human being. Especially over something as silly as has been described.

[DaveTN]

I think Jamie is the only one who thinks he has made a valid argument here. Mr Reed you have faught a good fight, I tip my hat to you.

I agree.

The only question I have is why it is surprising to you that you are getting some of the responses you got. Do you not practice law in traffic court and criminal court? I’m not questioning your knowledge of the law. But your knowledge of dirt bags that would cut you off or throw something at you seems to be lacking.

[Guest Jamie]

I think Jamie is the only one who thinks he has made a valid argument here.

And you'd be wrong.

I pretty much made the only point I really cared to in my first post on this thread.

As for the rest, somebody pm'd me and asked if I was okay, and noted I'd been absent here for a while.

So, since this thread seemed to still have some mileage left in it, I figured I'd take a position a bit different from the others so far, and run with it... and in doing so, let others prove things they never intended to, while also putting in an appearance for anybody who might think I had died, fallen off the face of the earth, etc.

And even though what I've posted is based on experience, in the end it's not like I really give a damn about the whole bicycle thing at all, when it comes right down to it.

I do have to admit though that it was entertaining watching Mr. Reed get so wound-up, and all frothy around the mouth.

Anyway, it's looking like I'm gonna be busy elsewhere again, and probably not be around very often for a while again.

So... now you know the rest of the story.

Y'all have fun.

P.S. One other little thing... in and among the other credentials on my resume, I also spent 2 years working for TDOT, in the Structures department... so I do have more than a little knowledge of roadways, and roadway engineering and design. Matter of fact, if you cross a bridge or overpass on any state road in Tn, then it's entirely likely that I had something to do with either it being built or repaired, at some point in there.

No real point there, just thought somebody might find it of interest.

Edited March 8, 2011 by Jamie

[Guest mosinon]

...to still have some mileage left in it...

-10 for terrible unintentional pun

+25 for pot stirring

[Erik88]

I think Jamie is the only one who thinks he has made a valid argument here. Mr Reed you have faught a good fight, I tip my hat to you.

This^^^

[Guest Jamie]

For those of you that haven't picked up on the exact nature of my "pot stirring" here, let me spell it out for ya:

All I've done here is *recycle the same arguments that have been used against Lenny/Voldemort and his antics, and also in many cases Open Carry it's self.

So, if the argument "Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's right, or should be done in any situation a person sees fit" is no longer valid, then an awful lot of people both here and on a lot of other forums owe both Lenny and the folks who insist on open carrying whenever they please and are allowed a big apology.

... unless of course hypocrisy has suddenly become fashionable?

*No cycling puns intended

[Lumber_Jack]

For those of you that haven't picked up on the exact nature of my "pot stirring" here, let me spell it out for ya:

All I've done here is *recycle the same arguments that have been used against Lenny/Voldemort and his antics, and also in many cases Open Carry it's self.

So, if the argument "Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's right, or should be done in any situation a person sees fit" is no longer valid, then an awful lot of people both here and on a lot of other forums owe both Lenny and the folks who insist on open carrying whenever they please and are allowed a big apology.

... unless of course hypocrisy has suddenly become fashionable?

*No cycling puns intended

my hypocrisy knows no bounds

I doubt you are going to find anyone appologizing. This argument is not transfereable across all topics. We hold our guns much more close to the vest than any other, and cycling sure does not have the public stigmata that open carrying guns does. In fact it may have the exact opposite of the spectrum.

For the record I have no issue with open carry, AK or otherwise

I knew there was know way you cared that much about riding a bike on a road. I thought "damn this guy has some unresolved issues"

[Guest mustangdave]

the mileage on this thread is about to roll over...what great read...

[JAB]

I am going to make one, final post in this thread and then I am done with it as there seems to be no point to further discussion.

Mr. Reed, based on your responses to some of my earlier posts, it is obvious that you equate anyone who finds discourteous bicyclists 'annoying' with people who would advocate throwing things at/assaulting any and all bicyclists. This is despite the fact that I have posted nothing that advocates such a position. In fact, I have read the entire thread and do not see one, single post that says, "Why, I'd throw my Mountain Dew bottle at the SOB." Of course, this is quite a long thread so there may well have been such posts that I overlooked. I did see one or two posters who suggested that perhaps the bicyclist's behavior caused them to deserve having something thrown at them. I do not advocate that position. However, surely you see the difference in saying that an individual might 'deserve' certain consequences and in saying that it is right or proper to administer said consequences.

Further, whether or not you want to hear it or like to believe it, the majority of bicyclists I have encountered on the road have been obstructing traffic in areas where it was unsafe to pass for much more than the 'five seconds' which you seem to use as your mantra. I agree with you that five seconds (or even fifteen seconds) either way isn't a big deal. However, I have, on multiple occasions, been part of a line of vehicles that was stuck behind a bicyclist for several minutes while the bicyclist refused to yield to motor traffic. In such cases, where it could be a mile or more before road conditions make it safe to pass while the cyclist rides right down the middle of the lane (meaning that motorized traffic must creep along behind the self-important, self-centered cyclist for a matter of several minutes, not seconds), I do believe that the cyclist should pull over - and stop, if necessary - to allow traffic to pass. You see, in such a situation the plain fact is that it is the cyclist who is holding up traffic and the cyclist should have the basic courtesy to get out of the way and allow motorized traffic to pass. After all, is it really that big a deal for the cyclist to stop for five to fifteen seconds so that they can allow traffic to safely pass, thereby allowing everyone to go about their business safely and at a speed that their own, chosen mode of transportation can safely achieve? I really cannot see what the point of contention with that viewpoint would be. I also do not understand why this point of view makes the operators of motorized vehicles 'self-centered' when it is, in fact, the cyclist who is behaving in a self-centered manner.

I have also, on multiple occasions, been stuck behind cyclists riding four or five abreast or even larger groups that stretched from the white line at the right of the lane to the yellow line in the middle of the lane and were several lines deep. It really doesn't matter if you know more bicyclists than I know or not. These are my experiences and no amount of protests on your part that they do not represent the majority of bicyclists will change the fact that I have had those experiences - even granting that your protests may well be 100% accurate. As I said, before, I have encountered a few - very few - bicyclists who truly seem to be aware that they don't, in fact, have a deed to the road. Perhaps those courteous cyclists are the majority, overall. They simply do not form the majority of riders that I have encountered - and, again, the phrase "I know more cyclists than you do," has absolutely no bearing on my experiences.

So, in closing, let me once again try to make clear what I have been trying to say all along.

1. Yes, I realize that bicyclists do have a right to be on the road. With regard to most highways, thoroughfares and the like (anything outside of neighborhoods, etc. where the speed limit tends to be 25 or 30, anyway) where there are no bike lanes this makes very little sense to me given that some motorized vehicles that are equipped with lights, etc. and which can achieve the posted speed limit are not allowed there. However, that is the law and unless it changes my opinion means very little.

2. No, I don't advocate throwing things at, spitting on or trying to otherwise injure bicycle riders. If nothing else, it isn't worth wasting a perfectly good soft drink or risking a dent in my vehicle (note: this last statement was intended as sarcasm, not to be taken seriously - although someone probably will, anyway.) I have gone my entire life without any run-ins with the law other than the occasional, minor traffic violation (speeding ticket.) I am not all that old but I am too damned old to start a criminal career with a charge of assault or even vehicular homicide at this stage of the game even if the cyclist is behaving like a total asshat.

3. Believe it or not, just like all other people, bicyclists are human. They aren't saints and they aren't some special class of 'enlightened' people. Just as is the case with gun owners - where a jerk who buys a gun simply becomes a jerk with a gun or LEOs - where a jerk who puts on a badge simply becomes a jerk with a badge - it holds true that a jerk who buys a bicycle is simply a jerk with a bicycle. This doesn't mean that all cyclists are jerks. It doesn't even mean that the majority are jerks. However, there are some cyclists who are jerks and, for whatever reason, I seem to encounter more of them on the road who are than those who aren't.

Edited March 9, 2011 by JAB

[kesava]

3. Believe it or not, just like all other people, bicyclists are human. They aren't saints and they aren't some special class of 'enlightened' people. Just as is the case with gun owners - where a jerk who buys a gun simply becomes a jerk with a gun or LEOs - where a jerk who puts on a badge simply becomes a jerk with a badge - it holds true that a jerk who buys a bicycle is simply a jerk with a bicycle. This doesn't mean that all cyclists are jerks. It doesn't even mean that the majority are jerks. However, there are some cyclists who are jerks and, for whatever reason, I seem to encounter more of them on the road who are than those who aren't.

My aunt gets the most horrible service whenever we go out. From the Valet to the Waiter. I hate going places with that heffer! I took her to a very posh restaurant for her 50th birthday. Around $200 each before wine. Our limo was late, the Maitre'D ignored our request for a fireside table despite his tip, the piannist did not know how to play her favorite classical song and our waiter sneezed on her food as he delivered it. It was raining and our return limo had a leak. $2000 and some germ ridden nosh later in a cold limo with the remnants of the broken french classical music that was attempted, I realized, some people just have bad farking luck in certain situations.

This year I went back with my girl friend and had the time of my life. Sorry about your luck dude, but every cyclist I know is safe, cool and understanding of the cars around them.

[Guest Old goat]

I'm no cyclist, I really don't know any. I do encounter them on the roadways quite a bit, they are usually in my way, I want them to get out of my way. I also encounter lots of old, fat men driving very slowly. They are also in my way but I seem to tolorate them much better. Possibly because I'm already fat and am getting old very quickly. Go figure.

[Guest db99wj]

I'm no cyclist, I really don't know any. I do encounter them on the roadways quite a bit, they are usually in my way, I want them to get out of my way. I also encounter lots of old, fat men driving very slowly. They are also in my way but I seem to tolorate them much better. Possibly because I'm already fat and am getting old very quickly. Go figure.

No, they are just scared to death of getting a ticket in Gibson, TN by the Chief!

[Guest KCSTEVE]

I saw a bicycle, in Oak Ridge, run a red light camera intersection. Evidently, they don't trip the camera.

[Guest Old goat]

We have Fat, Slow driving, Old men all over the county, not just in Gibson. Besides, most of us go around Gibson to get where we're going. I wonder if the "Chief" has written any cyclists.

[Guest Old goat]

I saw a bicycle, in Oak Ridge, run a red light camera intersection. Evidently, they don't trip the camera.

No plate to tie back to owner. Maybe they need to require tags for bicycles, wheel tax, use tax since they don't pay on fuel. Bicycles inflict lots of damage on the roads.

[Guest mustangdave]

I saw a bicycle, in Oak Ridge, run a red light camera intersection. Evidently, they don't trip the camera.

LOL...you are correct...man + bicycle = not enough weight to trip the sensor.

[Daniel]

depending on the man. I saw some dude with a full size bed pillow tied down to a bicycle seat. He was pushing the bike along and it was a big damn guy.

[Guest mustangdave]

depending on the man. I saw some dude with a full size bed pillow tied down to a bicycle seat. He was pushing the bike along and it was a big damn guy.

LMAO....ok you may have a point. I see Homeless Harry and his "all-purpose" ricshaw

[Guest AmericanWorkMule]

How many of you carry a gun as part of your cycling equipment?

 

 

 

[Oh Shoot]

How many of you carry a gun as part of your cycling equipment?
 
 
 

 
Can't do that in TN, unless it's unloaded.

Which is a bit silly, since you could do it with HCP on a motorbike, if it's attached to the BIKE rather than the PERSON.
 
- OS Edited April 29, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[Oh Shoot]

Oops, meant to edit above. Edited April 29, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[Wyldk2]

Realize this thread is old. I get it.

 

As a cyclist( mind you, I do not ride the roads that often), but when I do, I stay as far to the right as possible and use hand signals when turning or stopping, even waving cars by when it is safe to pass. Have had my share of stuff thrown at me and people yelling obsceneties at me when i used to ride between Shelbyville and Tullahoma. Haven't rode the main roads in a long time, Probably after sitting at a desk that was the main reason why i got out of shape. But even when Icome across cyclists on the road( while driving my 4x4 suv) i still give them the right of way, a few seconds or maybe a couple minutes of me being stuck behind them isn't going to hurt. I'll pass when it is safe to pass. Once you're a cyclist in either on or off-road you understand a bit more than the average non cyclist. And yes, when i do bike( off-road) I carry my 9mm just in case. For those of you who are busy whining about us cyclists and how you don't understand why there are some cyclists who treat the road as their personal road,Please understand there are more drivers who act like they own the roads. And for those who think bicyclists need to be tagged and pay some more kind of tax, you are dead wrong on that. Most cyclists are drivers as well, and may decide to ride on nicer days instead of using the fuel they also paid taxes on that funds the roads we all use. You wanting to tag my bicycle is like the government wanting you to register your guns. It's all a form of control.

 

Next time you witness a cyclist breaking the law of the road, get a description of the bike, rider and where it happened and call the police. Better yet if you could video it, that would be better. Tagging will not work, when you can't account for the number of bikes on the roads and trails. Just like registering guns won't work.