Road Rage
So there was an article in today's local paper about the ridiculous price of gas, and how people are driving around like crazy in order to save a few cents per gallon. There were several people who wrote in saying that the city should work to make more bike paths available for those who chose to use bikes as an alternate method of transportation. You would have thought these people advocated banning cars.
There were numerous drivers who wrote in saying that bicyclists should pay taxes to keep the roads in good repair. They were just ripping on the cyclists. Now let's be real. 99% of people who use bikes own cars. They buy gas, pay the city tax when they do. These bikers are just trying to cut down their dependence on gasoline, save some money, and do a bit to help the environment. Or perhaps just getting a little exercise.
I've ridden my bike around the city. Drivers have purposely swerved toward me, driven purposely close to me, honked or yelled at me, and have thrown things at me. Their behavior is alarming and puzzling. What the fuck is the animosity about? My feeling is that it is going to get worse. People are pissed off about spending over $50 to fill their cars. Road rage is going to get worse. Cell phones have made people terrible drivers. How can you watch the road and text at the same time?
We live in a city of 125,000 people. There are huge cities that have many, many bike lanes or paths. You really wonder when cities are going to stop giving lip service to environmental concerns and actually do something to aid those who want to do their part in lessening the impact they have on our environment?
Gas isn't going back to $1.50 a gallon. There WILL be more people using bikes for errands, and to go to work. Drivers better get used to it. Cities and towns need to address the problems before it gets out of control.
There were numerous drivers who wrote in saying that bicyclists should pay taxes to keep the roads in good repair. They were just ripping on the cyclists. Now let's be real. 99% of people who use bikes own cars. They buy gas, pay the city tax when they do. These bikers are just trying to cut down their dependence on gasoline, save some money, and do a bit to help the environment. Or perhaps just getting a little exercise.
I've ridden my bike around the city. Drivers have purposely swerved toward me, driven purposely close to me, honked or yelled at me, and have thrown things at me. Their behavior is alarming and puzzling. What the fuck is the animosity about? My feeling is that it is going to get worse. People are pissed off about spending over $50 to fill their cars. Road rage is going to get worse. Cell phones have made people terrible drivers. How can you watch the road and text at the same time?
We live in a city of 125,000 people. There are huge cities that have many, many bike lanes or paths. You really wonder when cities are going to stop giving lip service to environmental concerns and actually do something to aid those who want to do their part in lessening the impact they have on our environment?
Gas isn't going back to $1.50 a gallon. There WILL be more people using bikes for errands, and to go to work. Drivers better get used to it. Cities and towns need to address the problems before it gets out of control.