Comments on: Giving the Finger http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2007/05/giving-the-finger/ Blog for bikeleague Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:34:52 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Chip Franklin http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2007/05/giving-the-finger/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Chip Franklin Sat, 02 Jun 2007 14:12:40 +0000 http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/?p=12#comment-49 Nice angry retorts from the bycycle world, but it would be nice if you folks had the facts. What I said was how it is dangerous for bikes to be in traffic with automobiles, and the rudeness and self-righteousness of some riders creates potentially life-threatening situations. I also called for access lanes and roads for bikes only. And yes, for some fee to be paid by bikes for using these roads. A nominal fee. Many callers did express frustration in words that may have seemed innapropriate and maybe even violent, but it's talk radio, not action radio. They were wrong. They biker who flipped me off heard another car beep, and assumed it was me. THAT indicates to me we need dialogue on both sides. I would never encourage aggressive acts against byciclists, but would suggest you consider the physics involved and be careful. There are a lot of angry people out there. But I'm not one of them. Nice angry retorts from the bycycle world, but it would be nice if you folks had the facts. What I said was how it is dangerous for bikes to be in traffic with automobiles, and the rudeness and self-righteousness of some riders creates potentially life-threatening situations. I also called for access lanes and roads for bikes only. And yes, for some fee to be paid by bikes for using these roads. A nominal fee. Many callers did express frustration in words that may have seemed innapropriate and maybe even violent, but it’s talk radio, not action radio. They were wrong. They biker who flipped me off heard another car beep, and assumed it was me. THAT indicates to me we need dialogue on both sides.
I would never encourage aggressive acts against byciclists, but would suggest you consider the physics involved and be careful. There are a lot of angry people out there. But I’m not one of them.

]]> By: Bruce B. http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2007/05/giving-the-finger/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Bruce B. Sat, 26 May 2007 20:16:12 +0000 http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/?p=12#comment-32 We go through this business with the self-proclaimed "shock jocks" every year at this time. (March-June) Personally, I think "Coward Jocks" is a better description of what they do. I've wondered what these guys would do, in the wake of the "Don Imus Episode", but I'd say the question has been answered. We go through this business with the self-proclaimed “shock jocks” every year at this time. (March-June)
Personally, I think “Coward Jocks” is a better description of what they do.

I’ve wondered what these guys would do, in the wake of the “Don Imus Episode”, but I’d say the question has been answered.

]]> By: ISAIAS O. http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2007/05/giving-the-finger/comment-page-1/#comment-26 ISAIAS O. Fri, 25 May 2007 11:43:28 +0000 http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/?p=12#comment-26 You don't even have to "flip the bird" to set motorists off. Just being there is enough to kick in some people's instincts to protect "their territory"--not unlike getting too close to the fence of an agressive dog. Case in point--at the end of this past April, apparently my cycling on Eastern Blvd in Middle River set off an MTA bus driver. When he passed me, he acted like he had no idea that his bus pushes a lot of air and causes turbulance to the sides of his bus and a vacuum just before completing a pass. Luckily, I was able to stay upright once he completed the pass. A little later, I caught up with the bus at a traffic control signal--Eastern Blvd and Orville Rd. The light turns green. I'm ahead of the bus, to the right, and within the white line and the curb. I turn and I signal "watch out" by waving my INDEX finger at the driver, then I continue on my way. The next thing I hear is the bus approaching... closer, closer. It passes me by inches coming across the white line then swerving back onto the road bed's travel lane. Let me tell you, I was in fear of my life. This was outright agression by a public service representative. I made sure that I got the number of the bus. Once I got home, I was angry enough to write MTA, One Less Car, the Baltimore Bike Club, and the Baltimore County Police for advice on how to handle the situation. I decided that I would not file an assault charge against the driver, but the ball was rolling for an investigation and possible disciplinary action. As of today, it's nearly been one month since the incident. I have heard nothing from the MTA. This message is to show that I have not forgotten the incident. It is only because my schedule has been hectic (work, training for bike races as a rider of Team BBC, home owner activities) that I haven't followed up. Well, that follow up is near. You don’t even have to “flip the bird” to set motorists off. Just being there is enough to kick in some people’s instincts to protect “their territory”–not unlike getting too close to the fence of an agressive dog.

Case in point–at the end of this past April, apparently my cycling on Eastern Blvd in Middle River set off an MTA bus driver. When he passed me, he acted like he had no idea that his bus pushes a lot of air and causes turbulance to the sides of his bus and a vacuum just before completing a pass. Luckily, I was able to stay upright once he completed the pass.

A little later, I caught up with the bus at a traffic control signal–Eastern Blvd and Orville Rd. The light turns green. I’m ahead of the bus, to the right, and within the white line and the curb. I turn and I signal “watch out” by waving my INDEX finger at the driver, then I continue on my way.

The next thing I hear is the bus approaching… closer, closer. It passes me by inches coming across the white line then swerving back onto the road bed’s travel lane. Let me tell you, I was in fear of my life. This was outright agression by a public service representative. I made sure that I got the number of the bus.

Once I got home, I was angry enough to write MTA, One Less Car, the Baltimore Bike Club, and the Baltimore County Police for advice on how to handle the situation.

I decided that I would not file an assault charge against the driver, but the ball was rolling for an investigation and possible disciplinary action.

As of today, it’s nearly been one month since the incident. I have heard nothing from the MTA. This message is to show that I have not forgotten the incident. It is only because my schedule has been hectic (work, training for bike races as a rider of Team BBC, home owner activities) that I haven’t followed up. Well, that follow up is near.

]]> By: Terry Harrigan http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2007/05/giving-the-finger/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Terry Harrigan Fri, 25 May 2007 08:12:36 +0000 http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/?p=12#comment-25 The problem is that having such rants only encourages some low minded people to do bodily harm. I have not been harrassed in a few months, but sure enough it happened the afternoon of this broadcast. While riding the fog (white) line (there is no shoulder) on my regular route with plenty of visibility on a straight section of road, a driver in a mechanics truck purposely grazed me shouting unprintable words. The funny thing is, as he looked back to see how I would react, he lost control of the vehicle and partially went off the road in front of me. So what was an attention getter for a shock jock turned into a near life and death event for me. Was it really worth it? The problem is that having such rants only encourages some low minded people to do bodily harm. I have not been harrassed in a few months, but sure enough it happened the afternoon of this broadcast. While riding the fog (white) line (there is no shoulder) on my regular route with plenty of visibility on a straight section of road, a driver in a mechanics truck purposely grazed me shouting unprintable words. The funny thing is, as he looked back to see how I would react, he lost control of the vehicle and partially went off the road in front of me. So what was an attention getter for a shock jock turned into a near life and death event for me. Was it really worth it?

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