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Main
Date: 06 Nov 2006 17:11:25
From: Zoot Katz
Subject: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
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Headed home southbound, (Ontario St. @ 12th Ave.) I'd stopped and
dabbed to wait for the red light. Cross traffic was heavy.
As the light was changing I looked to the left and saw that traffic
was stopping. I checked to the right and it was stopped. I mounted
up, clipped in the other shoe and started to go just as my light
turned green. Suddenly there was a very large horn, very loud and
very close on my left. I appears the city truck was either unable to
stop or the driver just felt like squeezing the light to get across
the intersection.
I froze. I only needed to hold the track stand for about four seconds
but it felt like an eternity as the truck passed within inches of my
body.
I turned to the pair of horrified cyclists behind me and quipped,
"That would have been messy. But at least it would have been cleaned
up fast." The truck was a street sweeper.
--
zk
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Date: 15 Nov 2006 11:01:50
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
In article <ojcll2h0jbvdi6u81rac381kvohu92qbhh@4ax.com >,
Dale <imnot@vcn.bc.ca > writes:
> On Sun, 12 Nov 2006 00:39:18 -0800, tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom
> Keats) wrote:
>
>>Bicycle helmets
>>are for the comforts of drivers. The most vocal proponents
>>are drivers.
>
> My new helmet is an old chromed streamlined electric kettle.
>
> It's been gutted and the bottom hack sawed off. The inside is lined
> with nice thick neoprene and I've attached straps. The spout is for
> ventilation and the handle resembles a built in bakelite mohawk.
>
> It's gotten rave reviews from the MC3. They either want to plug me in
> or pick me up and pour me out.
>
> And it was CSA approved . . .as a kettle.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
With the right legal representation (David Hay?) that might
make an interesting test case about helmets needing to be
approved by safety agencies.
I guess test cases and creating new & complicating precedences
are the way to go wrt rolling-back MHL legislation, if one
cares to do so.
Make a legal mire of it.
It would sure beat whinin' & gripin' about being hard done by.
I hope yer lid is also UL approved. You might have to get a
guy in, to put a sticker on it for that. If you've got a
GST #, maybe you can charge the gov't for it.
If you could get fake steam to seemingly come outa yer ears,
that might be a visibility enhancement :-) 'specially if
it's coloured military tactical smoke. I favour yellow.
cheers,
Tom
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
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Date: 15 Nov 2006 10:37:51
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
In article <1163613440.669439.32400@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com >,
"gds" <gary_jill@msn.com > writes:
>
> jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
>> On Sun, 12 Nov 2006 07:34:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
>> >
>> >>On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:52:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com>
>> >>wrote:
>> >>
>> >>>In the end, polititians tend to care only about what directly benefits
>> >>>them - if they feel there is a political benefit to spending our money
>> >>>on bicycle facilities, they'll do so.
>> >>
>> >>How does a law that, for instance, makes it ilegal to ride a unicycle,
>> >>or to require cyclists to use the shoulder even if unpaved, or any
>> >>other number of anti-cyclist measures, benefit a politician other than
>> >>by appeasing the interests of the moneyed and motored classes?
>> >
>> >First, I know of no areas with such restrictions. There may be some,
>> >but even so, it's the (rare) exception that would require a bike to
>> >ride on an unpaved shoulder (not even going to speculate on the
>> >unicycle ban).
>>
>> The insularity of Americans is no surprise; neither is their choice of
>> politicians.
>
> Gee! I saw a few cars on the roads of Europe on my last visit. Rome has
> the worst raffic I've ever seen. The traffic in Tokyo, Hong Kong and
> other Asian cities if as bad as any I've seen in the US.
> Insular as applied to having/driving cars is just silly.
Insular as applied only to /Americans/ having/driving cars is
just silly.
The effects of cars on the human psyche are pervasive, and
are no respecter of national boundaries. Perhaps this is
most evident in places that wish to, at least in part,
emulate the US.
cheers,
Tom
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
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Date: 15 Nov 2006 09:57:20
From: gds
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
> On Sun, 12 Nov 2006 07:34:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com>
> wrote:
>
> >jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
> >
> >>On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:52:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com>
> >>wrote:
> >>
> >>>In the end, polititians tend to care only about what directly benefits
> >>>them - if they feel there is a political benefit to spending our money
> >>>on bicycle facilities, they'll do so.
> >>
> >>How does a law that, for instance, makes it ilegal to ride a unicycle,
> >>or to require cyclists to use the shoulder even if unpaved, or any
> >>other number of anti-cyclist measures, benefit a politician other than
> >>by appeasing the interests of the moneyed and motored classes?
> >
> >First, I know of no areas with such restrictions. There may be some,
> >but even so, it's the (rare) exception that would require a bike to
> >ride on an unpaved shoulder (not even going to speculate on the
> >unicycle ban).
>
> The insularity of Americans is no surprise; neither is their choice of
> politicians.
Gee! I saw a few cars on the roads of Europe on my last visit. Rome has
the worst raffic I've ever seen. The traffic in Tokyo, Hong Kong and
other Asian cities if as bad as any I've seen in the US.
Insular as applied to having/driving cars is just silly.
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Date: 14 Nov 2006 18:22:35
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
In article <R316h.302886$5R2.142574@pd7urf3no >,
"nash" <bbeffk4knjcuzfa@jetable.org > writes:
[snip]
> Somebody should pressure the gov't to give cash back on new bikes,
> around 30%, the same way they will be for putting children in registered
> sports activities in 2007.
I dunno, that could be the thin edge of a pretty gnarly wedge.
If there's a bicycle rebate, how about similar for roller skates,
sports equipment for amateurs, hackey sack footbags, an income
tax deduction for non-drivers, etc? Getting special treatment,
to me, kind of connotes having to be babysat by legislators.
Sure, that's rather the position drivers are already in -- they
get all kinds of special treatment in the form of huge tracts
of real estate, bureaucracies, car-centric urban/highway planning &
design, and law enforcement (babysitting) dedicated to their vehicle
use. Doesn't mean we've gotta compete with them over it. let the
babies have their bottles, I sez. Cyclists getting special treatment
just gives drivers something more to whine and bawl and throw
tantrums about on their local radio talk shows.
I figure all we really need is for what we already have WRT rights &
responsibilities, to be generally recognized and respected. Plus
maybe some localized (i.e: where they're truly needed) infrastructure
and facility improvements, such as bicycle access on certain bridges.
What would really /help/ would be a culture of friendly cooperation
and assumption of personal responsibility on the streets & roads.
But I guess the hope for that is even more pie-in-the-sky than gov't
subsidies in the form of rebates on bicycle purchases.
cheers,
Tom
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
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Date: 15 Nov 2006 03:17:34
From: nash
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
warning long article..
<<Getting special treatment,
to me, kind of connotes having to be babysat by legislators.
Well, if they give tax rebates for sports activities for kids they should
also give it for sports equipment for kids. Why help just a niche of that
population. It is in their best interest(Gov't). That is because they need
it not us. the gov't. More healthy people means less time off work. Proven
100's of times.
Even if they just do it for the kids now. They are really doing it for the
future of those kids lives. Get your kids interested in fitness and health.
That is why this continent is in such bad shape. Look at how much more the
States gets for their schools in the sports curriculums. Not all areas I
know but on /capita basis. Heck even Ontario and Alberta and the rest of
Canada probably get more for their kids educations including sports, than
BC. Actually, that is a fact. Maybe money does not solve anything, just
makes you think hey why not. Doing things that are good for you, blechh!,
monitary encouragement tasty.
It is too late for us in fact. You have to cultivate a healthy behavior
toward fitness and health when you are young not because you just got a wake
up call with a heart attack. Less money going to alcohol, smokes, and
drugs. That is what the kick back is for.
Just thought it would not hurt asking for kick backs. Steven Harper is
trying that in Ontario isn't he, with bus transportation? Company's are
suppose to help you out when you commute to work because it helps them not
because we want the money. It is because we are doing them a favor being
off the road. We do not need babysitters and infrastructure like auto
drivers do. Taxes needed would go down and that helps everyone. But sadly,
that may just encourage more people to buy a car and start driving. Then
watch out. Do not start me going on peak oil being here and now. Take
care of yourselves cause no one else knows how.
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 08:22:12
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
In article <eja47n$bps$1@news-int.gatech.edu >,
Paul Hobson <fobson@gatech.edu > writes:
> Tom Keats wrote:
>> In article <6bd9l21v44hfdprl5o3r1u70u9dp2eavfl@4ax.com>,
>> Set<@setnet.com> writes:
>>
>>> I wonder if drivers subconsciously consider helmet wearing as an admission
>>> that cycling is inherently dangerous, a dunce cap, almost a punishment,
>>> like using training wheels; a way of branding bicycles as 'toys' or
>>> something.
>>
>> The drivers resent us riders for getting to use the streets & roads
>> "for free", when they've gotta pay. They forget they have the same
>> freedom to bicycle on those same streets & roads as anyone else.
>> If they don't want to, that's usually their own self-inflicted decision.
>
> Free? 'Round here property taxes pay for surface streets. Gas/misc.
> auto taxes are what pay for the limit access roads (i.e., no bikes
> allowed anyway).
I know that, and you know that. But those gas taxes
and misc auto costs give so many drivers an inflated
sense of entitlement and superiority over bicyclists.
cheers,
Tom
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 16:29:37
From: nash
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
N. America pays the lowest gas tax in the world as a percentage of gas/l.
No wonder everything is upside down and backwards for cyclists. If we had
our own roads they would probably never need repair for one thing. just
some weather erosion patch up.
How many cyclists you know send a driver to a hospital in critical
condition.
Course, as usual the people that read this do not need to hear it cause
they live it.
Somebody should pressure the gov't to give cash back on new bikes,
around 30%, the same way they will be for putting children in registered
sports activities in 2007.
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Date: 12 Nov 2006 00:57:34
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
In article <u4l9l29g3oadgachm54f94p0mmm3frumt7@4ax.com >,
jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com writes:
>>Here's another one for ya: there's a "pedestrian safety" blitz going
>>on here right now. Among the usual safety tips, the Authorities are
>>admonishing pedestrians to only use /ked/ crosswalks. But here,
>>every intersection is a crosswalk, and drivers (although most probably
>>don't know this) are legally obligated to respect them as such, whether
>>they're ked or not.
>>
>
> Most people who have money (and thus political influence) drive
> motorcars much more than they walk or cycle.
>
> They view pedestrians and cyclists as obstructions.
And yet /everyone/ ultimately is a pedestrian.
cheers,
Tom
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
|
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Date: 12 Nov 2006 00:54:41
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
In article <6bd9l21v44hfdprl5o3r1u70u9dp2eavfl@4ax.com >,
Set<@setnet.com > writes:
> I wonder if drivers subconsciously consider helmet wearing as an admission
> that cycling is inherently dangerous, a dunce cap, almost a punishment,
> like using training wheels; a way of branding bicycles as 'toys' or
> something.
The drivers resent us riders for getting to use the streets & roads
"for free", when they've gotta pay. They forget they have the same
freedom to bicycle on those same streets & roads as anyone else.
If they don't want to, that's usually their own self-inflicted decision.
> Now I actually like wearing a helmet and if I forget mine as I walk out the
> door, will stop and go back and get it. Modern helmets look pretty cool,
> actually.
They have their uses. I generally wear mine too. With the
rain cover on it, it makes a pretty good waterproof hat.
> But for drivers it's as though they're thinking 'ok, you're already doing
> something hazardous and getting in the way, the nerve not to wear a helmet
> so that you'll bounce when we hit you.' ;-)
That's pretty much it. In fact, that's exactly it.
cheers,
Tom
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
|
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 10:53:01
From: Paul Hobson
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <6bd9l21v44hfdprl5o3r1u70u9dp2eavfl@4ax.com>,
> Set<@setnet.com> writes:
>
>> I wonder if drivers subconsciously consider helmet wearing as an admission
>> that cycling is inherently dangerous, a dunce cap, almost a punishment,
>> like using training wheels; a way of branding bicycles as 'toys' or
>> something.
>
> The drivers resent us riders for getting to use the streets & roads
> "for free", when they've gotta pay. They forget they have the same
> freedom to bicycle on those same streets & roads as anyone else.
> If they don't want to, that's usually their own self-inflicted decision.
Free? 'Round here property taxes pay for surface streets. Gas/misc.
auto taxes are what pay for the limit access roads (i.e., no bikes
allowed anyway).
--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
.:change the f to ph to reply:.
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 00:33:08
From: nash
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
>>The drivers resent us riders for getting to use the streets & roads
"for free", when they've gotta pay. They forget they have the same
freedom to bicycle on those same streets & roads as anyone else.
If they don't want to, that's usually their own self-inflicted decision.
Actually, I think it is because they know how they treat cyclists and they
would not trust other drivers not to treat them the same.
Would not survive the day. Bigger they are the harder they fall.
I would just like to get one in a ring one day. Hand to hand then where
would there ass be.
Have a yearly competition to see whose team wins the most fights. Make it a
day off school day if you ride your bike there etc.,
Money from taking bets could go to building bike facilities, showers, free
bikes, If we won that is. Deos not have to be boxing. Aerobic competition
would be the best.
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Date: 12 Nov 2006 00:44:34
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
In article <mjm6je.g1c1.ln@vcn.bc.ca >,
tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom Keats) writes:
> We're up against a brick wall of arragnorance.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Oops, I misspelt. That should be: arrognorance.
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
|
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 00:22:55
From: nash
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
"Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:itm6je.t1c1.ln@vcn.bc.ca...
> In article <mjm6je.g1c1.ln@vcn.bc.ca>,
> tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom Keats) writes:
>
>> We're up against a brick wall of arragnorance.
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Oops, I misspelt. That should be: arrognorance.
>
> --
> -- Nothing is safe from me.
> Above address is just a spam midden.
> I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
not a word
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Date: 12 Nov 2006 19:44:24
From: Bill
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <mjm6je.g1c1.ln@vcn.bc.ca>,
> tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom Keats) writes:
>
>> We're up against a brick wall of arragnorance.
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Oops, I misspelt. That should be: arrognorance.
>
It's a good word for the typical fat assed scud driver though.
Bill Baka
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Date: 12 Nov 2006 00:39:18
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
In article <g4r9l2t6rk5i1bj45si5tobl92dnf2hhdt@4ax.com >,
Zoot Katz <zootkatz@operamail.com > writes:
> We're looking for a sticker to say, "I have to wear my helmet so you
> can drive like an idiot."
That's what I've been saying all along. Bicycle helmets
are for the comforts of drivers. The most vocal proponents
are drivers.
Note I'm not ranting about helmets per se. I'm just
disgusted with being expected to genuflect to drivers'
demands that operating 1.5+ tons of mass at speed in
populated areas be dumbed-down for 'em.
A particular stretch of road or a bridge incurs so many
collisions, and it's the road's/bridge's fault. It takes
30 minutes to traverse 10 inter-urban miles, and it's an
unconscionable travesty (that's pretty good headway for a
non-driver.) Remind drivers that cyclists have a right to
the road too, and they threateningly respond with that hoary
old "dead right" cliche.
We're up against a brick wall of arragnorance. It's an
opportunity to be a /real/ Don Quixote. But I don't
recommend bashing one's head against a brick wall.
There are better things to bash against a brick wall.
cheers,
Tom
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
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Date: 14 Nov 2006 22:30:39
From: Dale
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
On Sun, 12 Nov 2006 00:39:18 -0800, tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom
Keats) wrote:
>Bicycle helmets
>are for the comforts of drivers. The most vocal proponents
>are drivers.
My new helmet is an old chromed streamlined electric kettle.
It's been gutted and the bottom hack sawed off. The inside is lined
with nice thick neoprene and I've attached straps. The spout is for
ventilation and the handle resembles a built in bakelite mohawk.
It's gotten rave reviews from the MC3. They either want to plug me in
or pick me up and pour me out.
And it was CSA approved . . .as a kettle.
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Date: 15 Nov 2006 09:46:40
From: Dane Buson
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Dale <imnot@vcn.bc.ca > wrote:
> On Sun, 12 Nov 2006 00:39:18 -0800, tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom
> Keats) wrote:
>
>>Bicycle helmets
>>are for the comforts of drivers. The most vocal proponents
>>are drivers.
>
> My new helmet is an old chromed streamlined electric kettle.
>
> It's been gutted and the bottom hack sawed off. The inside is lined
> with nice thick neoprene and I've attached straps. The spout is for
> ventilation and the handle resembles a built in bakelite mohawk.
>
> It's gotten rave reviews from the MC3. They either want to plug me in
> or pick me up and pour me out.
>
> And it was CSA approved . . .as a kettle.
I must say, that sounds amazing. I'll echo the call for pictures.
--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more
doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage, than the creation of
a new system. For the initiator has the emnity of all who would profit
by the preservation of the old institutions and merely lukewarm defenders
in those who would gain by the new ones.
-- Niccolo Machiavelli, 1513
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Date: 15 Nov 2006 14:30:27
From: nash
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
"Dale" <imnot@vcn.bc.ca > wrote in message
news:ojcll2h0jbvdi6u81rac381kvohu92qbhh@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 12 Nov 2006 00:39:18 -0800, tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom
> Keats) wrote:
>
>>Bicycle helmets
>>are for the comforts of drivers. The most vocal proponents
>>are drivers.
>
> My new helmet is an old chromed streamlined electric kettle.
>
> It's been gutted and the bottom hack sawed off. The inside is lined
> with nice thick neoprene and I've attached straps. The spout is for
> ventilation and the handle resembles a built in bakelite mohawk.
>
> It's gotten rave reviews from the MC3. They either want to plug me in
> or pick me up and pour me out.
>
> And it was CSA approved . . .as a kettle.
Beauty Got a pic?
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Date: 10 Nov 2006 12:43:41
From: gds
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
> > Most people who have money (and thus political influence) drive
> motorcars much more than they walk or cycle.
>
> They view pedestrians and cyclists as obstructions. Conciously or
> unconciously, government droids will follow an anti-pedestrian and
> anti-cyclist agenda, unless they are otherwise instructed.
>
>
Citation please!
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| | |
Date: 11 Nov 2006 00:19:50
From:
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
On 10 Nov 2006 12:43:41 -0800, "gds" <gary_jill@msn.com > wrote:
>
>jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
>> > Most people who have money (and thus political influence) drive
>> motorcars much more than they walk or cycle.
>>
>> They view pedestrians and cyclists as obstructions. Conciously or
>> unconciously, government droids will follow an anti-pedestrian and
>> anti-cyclist agenda, unless they are otherwise instructed.
>>
>>
>Citation please!
For that you need merely consult the legislation and regulations in
the many nations, states, provinces, and municipalities.
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| | | |
Date: 10 Nov 2006 19:52:05
From: Mark Hickey
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
>On 10 Nov 2006 12:43:41 -0800, "gds" <gary_jill@msn.com> wrote:
>
>>jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
>>> > Most people who have money (and thus political influence) drive
>>> motorcars much more than they walk or cycle.
>>>
>>> They view pedestrians and cyclists as obstructions. Conciously or
>>> unconciously, government droids will follow an anti-pedestrian and
>>> anti-cyclist agenda, unless they are otherwise instructed.
>>>
>>Citation please!
>
>For that you need merely consult the legislation and regulations in
>the many nations, states, provinces, and municipalities.
It's not an evil conspiracy - it's mainly that spending the money on
cycling facilities tends to benefit a very small segment of the
population (one that usually doesn't try to exert a lot of influence
on the political process). On the other side of the coin, the bike
facilities and planning in the Phoenix, Arizona east valley are very
comprehensive and effective - no doubt out of proportion to the
influence of the users (though there are a fair number).
In the end, polititians tend to care only about what directly benefits
them - if they feel there is a political benefit to spending our money
on bicycle facilities, they'll do so.
k Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame
|
| | | | |
Date: 11 Nov 2006 14:26:55
From:
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:52:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com >
wrote:
>
>In the end, polititians tend to care only about what directly benefits
>them - if they feel there is a political benefit to spending our money
>on bicycle facilities, they'll do so.
>
How does a law that, for instance, makes it ilegal to ride a unicycle,
or to require cyclists to use the shoulder even if unpaved, or any
other number of anti-cyclist measures, benefit a politician other than
by appeasing the interests of the moneyed and motored classes?
|
| | | | | |
Date: 12 Nov 2006 07:34:05
From: Mark Hickey
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
>On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:52:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com>
>wrote:
>
>>In the end, polititians tend to care only about what directly benefits
>>them - if they feel there is a political benefit to spending our money
>>on bicycle facilities, they'll do so.
>
>How does a law that, for instance, makes it ilegal to ride a unicycle,
>or to require cyclists to use the shoulder even if unpaved, or any
>other number of anti-cyclist measures, benefit a politician other than
>by appeasing the interests of the moneyed and motored classes?
First, I know of no areas with such restrictions. There may be some,
but even so, it's the (rare) exception that would require a bike to
ride on an unpaved shoulder (not even going to speculate on the
unicycle ban).
Second, you use "moneyed" and "motored" like they're synonymous.
While having a car is a pipe dream for most of the world's poor, in
the US the vast majority can have a car (if they choose to, of
course).
k Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame
|
| | | | | | |
Date: 12 Nov 2006 19:56:30
From: Bill
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
k Hickey wrote:
> jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:52:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> In the end, polititians tend to care only about what directly benefits
>>> them - if they feel there is a political benefit to spending our money
>>> on bicycle facilities, they'll do so.
>> How does a law that, for instance, makes it ilegal to ride a unicycle,
>> or to require cyclists to use the shoulder even if unpaved, or any
>> other number of anti-cyclist measures, benefit a politician other than
>> by appeasing the interests of the moneyed and motored classes?
>
> First, I know of no areas with such restrictions. There may be some,
> but even so, it's the (rare) exception that would require a bike to
> ride on an unpaved shoulder (not even going to speculate on the
> unicycle ban).
>
> Second, you use "moneyed" and "motored" like they're synonymous.
> While having a car is a pipe dream for most of the world's poor, in
> the US the vast majority can have a car (if they choose to, of
> course).
>
> k Hickey
> Habanero Cycles
> http://www.habcycles.com
> Home of the $795 ti frame
What of those of us who have both cars and bikes and pay more than our
fair share of taxes but are still treated like dirt? Preferring to ride
a bike when possible does not diminish the taxes i pay, yet when I am on
a bike I do notice that I get treated like a second class citizen. I
walked up to a CHP officer the other day (not even on a bike) to report
a pile of stolen shopping carts and he basically blew me off with the
'not his business' line. I was walking because the voting polls have no
bike parking and driving 1.5 miles each way seemed like not worth firing
up the car. I'm sure if I had driven up in a newish car I would have had
better credibility.
Strange system.
Bill Baka
|
| | | | | | | |
Date: 13 Nov 2006 22:13:23
From: Ryan Cousineau
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
In article <O%K5h.5243$IR4.5195@newssvr25.news.prodigy.net >,
Bill <bbaka@comcast.net > wrote:
> k Hickey wrote:
> > jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
> >
> >> On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:52:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> In the end, polititians tend to care only about what directly benefits
> >>> them - if they feel there is a political benefit to spending our money
> >>> on bicycle facilities, they'll do so.
> >> How does a law that, for instance, makes it ilegal to ride a unicycle,
> >> or to require cyclists to use the shoulder even if unpaved, or any
> >> other number of anti-cyclist measures, benefit a politician other than
> >> by appeasing the interests of the moneyed and motored classes?
> >
> > First, I know of no areas with such restrictions. There may be some,
> > but even so, it's the (rare) exception that would require a bike to
> > ride on an unpaved shoulder (not even going to speculate on the
> > unicycle ban).
> >
> > Second, you use "moneyed" and "motored" like they're synonymous.
> > While having a car is a pipe dream for most of the world's poor, in
> > the US the vast majority can have a car (if they choose to, of
> > course).
> >
> > k Hickey
> > Habanero Cycles
> > http://www.habcycles.com
> > Home of the $795 ti frame
>
> What of those of us who have both cars and bikes and pay more than our
> fair share of taxes but are still treated like dirt? Preferring to ride
> a bike when possible does not diminish the taxes i pay, yet when I am on
> a bike I do notice that I get treated like a second class citizen. I
> walked up to a CHP officer the other day (not even on a bike) to report
> a pile of stolen shopping carts and he basically blew me off with the
> 'not his business' line. I was walking because the voting polls have no
> bike parking and driving 1.5 miles each way seemed like not worth firing
> up the car. I'm sure if I had driven up in a newish car I would have had
> better credibility.
> Strange system.
> Bill Baka
Bill:
1) highway patrol officers rarely deal with stolen shopping carts; he's
probably right about this non-emergency being basically in the
jurisdiction of whatever local constabulary is in the area, or probably
best just reported to the superket that owns them.
2) Bikes need parking?!? I can fully believe the polling station didn't
have a bike rack, but I'm trying to conceive of a structure that didn't
have some place outside you could lock and leave a bike.
--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos
|
| | | | | | | | |
Date: 14 Nov 2006 00:28:47
From: Bill
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Ryan Cousineau wrote:
> In article <O%K5h.5243$IR4.5195@newssvr25.news.prodigy.net>,
> Bill <bbaka@comcast.net> wrote:
>> What of those of us who have both cars and bikes and pay more than our
>> fair share of taxes but are still treated like dirt? Preferring to ride
>> a bike when possible does not diminish the taxes i pay, yet when I am on
>> a bike I do notice that I get treated like a second class citizen. I
>> walked up to a CHP officer the other day (not even on a bike) to report
>> a pile of stolen shopping carts and he basically blew me off with the
>> 'not his business' line. I was walking because the voting polls have no
>> bike parking and driving 1.5 miles each way seemed like not worth firing
>> up the car. I'm sure if I had driven up in a newish car I would have had
>> better credibility.
>> Strange system.
>> Bill Baka
>
> Bill:
>
> 1) highway patrol officers rarely deal with stolen shopping carts; he's
> probably right about this non-emergency being basically in the
> jurisdiction of whatever local constabulary is in the area, or probably
> best just reported to the superket that owns them.
I know (and knew) that but was posing it to him as who exactly to report
it to, OK? He told me that even the regular sheriff would not care
unless the store complained about stolen carts, which either they have
not done or the sheriff got tired of it.
>
> 2) Bikes need parking?!? I can fully believe the polling station didn't
> have a bike rack, but I'm trying to conceive of a structure that didn't
> have some place outside you could lock and leave a bike.
>
Believe it. I rode there for the priies and was told no bikes in the
building, even though they had a huge amount of extra space, and no
there were no racks outside. I had to ride home and walk back to vote in
the priies and this time I just knew in advance so I walked. Almost 3
miles of walking isn't that bad, although my feet prefer riding a bike.
I hike and rock climb in the mountains when I can no longer ride so a
horizontal walk on a sidewalk is almost like loafing.
Bill Baka
|
| | | | | | |
Date: 12 Nov 2006 16:04:33
From:
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
On Sun, 12 Nov 2006 07:34:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com >
wrote:
>jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:52:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>In the end, polititians tend to care only about what directly benefits
>>>them - if they feel there is a political benefit to spending our money
>>>on bicycle facilities, they'll do so.
>>
>>How does a law that, for instance, makes it ilegal to ride a unicycle,
>>or to require cyclists to use the shoulder even if unpaved, or any
>>other number of anti-cyclist measures, benefit a politician other than
>>by appeasing the interests of the moneyed and motored classes?
>
>First, I know of no areas with such restrictions. There may be some,
>but even so, it's the (rare) exception that would require a bike to
>ride on an unpaved shoulder (not even going to speculate on the
>unicycle ban).
The insularity of Americans is no surprise; neither is their choice of
politicians.
|
| | | | | |
Date: 11 Nov 2006 18:12:41
From: nash
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
<jtaylor@NOSPAM.hfx.andara.com > wrote in message
news:l7nbl2dmqvt54s31qt2rnt20jf6rkkeimp@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:52:05 -0700, k Hickey <k@habcycles.com>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>In the end, polititians tend to care only about what directly benefits
>>them - if they feel there is a political benefit to spending our money
>>on bicycle facilities, they'll do so.
>>
>
>
> How does a law that, for instance, makes it ilegal to ride a unicycle,
> or to require cyclists to use the shoulder even if unpaved, or any
> other number of anti-cyclist measures, benefit a politician other than
> by appeasing the interests of the moneyed and motored classes?
That is because most of the tax payers are drivers. happy driver equals a
vote possibly.
If they changed rules in cyclists favor after the election and changed back
before the next one that would be a worthwhile tactic for everyone.
|
| |
Date: 10 Nov 2006 11:54:49
From: Brian Huntley
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Tom Keats wrote:
> Here's another one for ya: there's a "pedestrian safety" blitz going
> on here right now. Among the usual safety tips, the Authorities are
> admonishing pedestrians to only use /ked/ crosswalks. But here,
> every intersection is a crosswalk, and drivers (although most probably
> don't know this) are legally obligated to respect them as such, whether
> they're ked or not.
There's an unusual "T" intersection near my place where a two-way
street becomes 1-way on the north side, and most traffic esses around
from northbound to westward, or from eastward to southerly. There used
to be a painted crosswalk on the west side, and as far as I can tell
it's still a legal crosswalk though it wasn't painted after the last
paving. When I do use it (on foot) I get yelled at by drivers who have
to actually slow (assuming they *do* slow.)It makes me want to carry a
mace or something.
And no, it's not one street bending, it's Gladstone N/S and Peel E/W.
|
| |
Date: 10 Nov 2006 09:40:23
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
In article <1163166906.303430.280970@f16g2000cwb.googlegroups.com >,
"Buck" <bicyclebuck@gmail.com > writes:
> Tom Keats wrote:
>> Although I'd think that sort of stuff
>> is as at least as worthy of inclusion in the mayor's Public Disorder
>> online poll, as unh*lm*ted cyclists, defecating/urinating in the
>> streets (I guess some drivers might actually /cause/ that,)
>> jaywalking, littering, and open/public drug use:
>> http://mayorsamsullivan.ca/survey/index.php?sid=2
>
> I thought you were joking. I went to the site on a lark. I cannot
> believe that someone was stupid enough to include cyclists not wearing
> helmets in a list of public disorder problems. That means that the
> person who created the survey (or someone who influences the choices)
> actually believes that not wearing a helmet is a sign of disorder! What
> the heck is wrong with these people?
Here's another one for ya: there's a "pedestrian safety" blitz going
on here right now. Among the usual safety tips, the Authorities are
admonishing pedestrians to only use /ked/ crosswalks. But here,
every intersection is a crosswalk, and drivers (although most probably
don't know this) are legally obligated to respect them as such, whether
they're ked or not.
cheers,
Tom
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
|
| | |
Date: 10 Nov 2006 19:43:07
From:
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:40:23 -0800, tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom Keats)
wrote:
>In article <1163166906.303430.280970@f16g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
> "Buck" <bicyclebuck@gmail.com> writes:
>> Tom Keats wrote:
>>> Although I'd think that sort of stuff
>>> is as at least as worthy of inclusion in the mayor's Public Disorder
>>> online poll, as unh*lm*ted cyclists, defecating/urinating in the
>>> streets (I guess some drivers might actually /cause/ that,)
>>> jaywalking, littering, and open/public drug use:
>>> http://mayorsamsullivan.ca/survey/index.php?sid=2
>>
>> I thought you were joking. I went to the site on a lark. I cannot
>> believe that someone was stupid enough to include cyclists not wearing
>> helmets in a list of public disorder problems. That means that the
>> person who created the survey (or someone who influences the choices)
>> actually believes that not wearing a helmet is a sign of disorder! What
>> the heck is wrong with these people?
>
>Here's another one for ya: there's a "pedestrian safety" blitz going
>on here right now. Among the usual safety tips, the Authorities are
>admonishing pedestrians to only use /ked/ crosswalks. But here,
>every intersection is a crosswalk, and drivers (although most probably
>don't know this) are legally obligated to respect them as such, whether
>they're ked or not.
>
Most people who have money (and thus political influence) drive
motorcars much more than they walk or cycle.
They view pedestrians and cyclists as obstructions. Conciously or
unconciously, government droids will follow an anti-pedestrian and
anti-cyclist agenda, unless they are otherwise instructed.
It does us not help to have pro-helmet zealots ignoring/distorting the
facts and advocating MHL's. Some (many?) politicians are equally
stupid, and reading this thread could well try to introduce
legislation requiring trackstands be supplied with every cycle
purchased.
"If only one life is saved..."
|
| |
Date: 10 Nov 2006 05:55:06
From: Buck
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Tom Keats wrote:
> Although I'd think that sort of stuff
> is as at least as worthy of inclusion in the mayor's Public Disorder
> online poll, as unh*lm*ted cyclists, defecating/urinating in the
> streets (I guess some drivers might actually /cause/ that,)
> jaywalking, littering, and open/public drug use:
> http://mayorsamsullivan.ca/survey/index.php?sid=2
I thought you were joking. I went to the site on a lark. I cannot
believe that someone was stupid enough to include cyclists not wearing
helmets in a list of public disorder problems. That means that the
person who created the survey (or someone who influences the choices)
actually believes that not wearing a helmet is a sign of disorder! What
the heck is wrong with these people?
It smacks of the holier-than-though mentality I see among so many urban
planning students. Come to think of it, the worst of the lot I had to
deal with was from Vancouver....
If the survey wasn't active, I'd propose we skew the results a bit. If
I were the mayor, I would have a long conversation with the maker of
that survey. I just hope that the mayor didn't see/approve the survey
before it was posted.
-Buck
|
| | |
Date: 10 Nov 2006 13:19:53
From: Zoot Katz
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
On 10 Nov 2006 05:55:06 -0800, "Buck" <bicyclebuck@gmail.com > wrote:
>> http://mayorsamsullivan.ca/survey/index.php?sid=2
>
>I thought you were joking. I went to the site on a lark. I cannot
>believe that someone was stupid enough to include cyclists not wearing
>helmets in a list of public disorder problems.
Nope, you get that from a lot of drivers. They figure you're a
scofflaw for not wearing a funny hat and like to include it when they
rail against cyclists for their other indescretions.
We're looking for a sticker to say, "I have to wear my helmet so you
can drive like an idiot."
>That means that the
>person who created the survey (or someone who influences the choices)
>actually believes that not wearing a helmet is a sign of disorder! What
>the heck is wrong with these people?
I've heard the Chief of Police is big on helmets possibly due to a
personal experience. Maybe he's brain damaged.
It's all part of the purge preparing for the 2010 Olypics.
--
zk
|
| | | |
Date: 10 Nov 2006 21:54:22
From: Bill
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Zoot Katz wrote:
> On 10 Nov 2006 05:55:06 -0800, "Buck" <bicyclebuck@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>> http://mayorsamsullivan.ca/survey/index.php?sid=2
>> I thought you were joking. I went to the site on a lark. I cannot
>> believe that someone was stupid enough to include cyclists not wearing
>> helmets in a list of public disorder problems.
>
> Nope, you get that from a lot of drivers. They figure you're a
> scofflaw for not wearing a funny hat and like to include it when they
> rail against cyclists for their other indescretions.
>
> We're looking for a sticker to say, "I have to wear my helmet so you
> can drive like an idiot."
>
>> That means that the
>> person who created the survey (or someone who influences the choices)
>> actually believes that not wearing a helmet is a sign of disorder! What
>> the heck is wrong with these people?
>
> I've heard the Chief of Police is big on helmets possibly due to a
> personal experience. Maybe he's brain damaged.
>
> It's all part of the purge preparing for the 2010 Olypics.
I went to the site and tried to leave feedback on that stupid bicycle
comment and got the "Not working yet" message. Now you guys know I won't
put up with that so I sent an e-mail to the mayor to complain both about
the bike comment and why they would put up a broken feedback section and
embarrass themselves as a city that can't even put up a simple page.
I expect an indignant response soon.
Bill Baka
|
| | | | |
Date: 10 Nov 2006 14:45:28
From: Zoot Katz
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 21:54:22 GMT, Bill <bbaka@comcast.net > wrote:
>I went to the site and tried to leave feedback on that stupid bicycle
>comment and got the "Not working yet" message. Now you guys know I won't
>put up with that so I sent an e-mail to the mayor to complain both about
>the bike comment and why they would put up a broken feedback section and
>embarrass themselves as a city that can't even put up a simple page.
>I expect an indignant response soon.
They probably got a bunch of comments they didn't want to hear so,
being ostriches, closed the poll. It had been up for several weeks
already. Through its posting to various mailing lists it likely got
bombarded by cyclists commenting on the "public disorder" caused by
the scofflaw scud jockeys.
My unfavourable comments were directed toward the presence of SOV in
HOV lanes. Illegal turns where during rush hours they're prohibited
and drivers ignoring signs, dividers and barricades barring cars on
the traffic calmed streets. I mentioned that as a citizen I was
disgusted by the city's lack of enforcement and the resulting lack of
revenue to be gained by ticketing those egregious offenses.
--
zk
|
| | | | | |
Date: 10 Nov 2006 23:37:36
From: Bill
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Zoot Katz wrote:
> On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 21:54:22 GMT, Bill <bbaka@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> I went to the site and tried to leave feedback on that stupid bicycle
>> comment and got the "Not working yet" message. Now you guys know I won't
>> put up with that so I sent an e-mail to the mayor to complain both about
>> the bike comment and why they would put up a broken feedback section and
>> embarrass themselves as a city that can't even put up a simple page.
>> I expect an indignant response soon.
>
> They probably got a bunch of comments they didn't want to hear so,
> being ostriches, closed the poll. It had been up for several weeks
> already. Through its posting to various mailing lists it likely got
> bombarded by cyclists commenting on the "public disorder" caused by
> the scofflaw scud jockeys.
>
> My unfavourable comments were directed toward the presence of SOV in
> HOV lanes. Illegal turns where during rush hours they're prohibited
> and drivers ignoring signs, dividers and barricades barring cars on
> the traffic calmed streets. I mentioned that as a citizen I was
> disgusted by the city's lack of enforcement and the resulting lack of
> revenue to be gained by ticketing those egregious offenses.
If we're talking B.C. it used to be pretty nice back in 1978 when I went
up that way. From what I have heard they have an immigrant problem now,
so maybe it isn't that nice any more. 28 years could make a big difference.
A guy I know in the wine country in California who owns a family run
motel had a drunk scud driver put a car through his residence house.
Turns out it was an illegal Mexican, drunk, no license, insurance, or
any thing else and the best they could do is arrest and deport the guy.
The owner was kind of amazed because the house is a good 35 feet off the
street and the driver would have had to make almost an intentional right
turn at 50 MPH to do that kind of damage. The car wound up almost
entirely in the living room. And that is where I used to bicycle every
day at work, thinking it was a safe little town.
Bill Baka
|
| | | | | | |
Date: 10 Nov 2006 16:13:16
From: Zoot Katz
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 23:37:36 GMT, Bill <bbaka@comcast.net > wrote:
>
>If we're talking B.C. it used to be pretty nice back in 1978 when I went
>up that way. From what I have heard they have an immigrant problem now,
>so maybe it isn't that nice any more. 28 years could make a big difference.
Yeah Bill, our immigrant "problem" is priily Koreans and Chinese
coming here, buying up whole blocks and sending real estate prices
through the roof. Neither can they drive worth shit.
There is also a problem with violence among Asian youth gangs but
they keep it to their own communities. Some will point to the
Honduran crack sellers around Main & Hastings but they're not
immigrants, they're illegal aliens or refugees awaiting a hearing
before deportation.
--
zk
|
| | | | | | | |
Date: 11 Nov 2006 15:12:36
From: Bill
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Zoot Katz wrote:
> On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 23:37:36 GMT, Bill <bbaka@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> If we're talking B.C. it used to be pretty nice back in 1978 when I went
>> up that way. From what I have heard they have an immigrant problem now,
>> so maybe it isn't that nice any more. 28 years could make a big difference.
>
> Yeah Bill, our immigrant "problem" is priily Koreans and Chinese
> coming here, buying up whole blocks and sending real estate prices
> through the roof. Neither can they drive worth shit.
>
> There is also a problem with violence among Asian youth gangs but
> they keep it to their own communities. Some will point to the
> Honduran crack sellers around Main & Hastings but they're not
> immigrants, they're illegal aliens or refugees awaiting a hearing
> before deportation.
Asian gangs are a problem here too. I have been watching the news and
per capita they seem to commit 10X the crime of the Mexican population.
The legitimate Chinese seem to be intent on buying real estate, but at
least here they are decent drivers.
Same kind of problems, different causes.
Bill Baka
|
| | | | | | | |
Date: 11 Nov 2006 07:02:19
From: Mark Hickey
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Zoot Katz <zootkatz@operamail.com > wrote:
>On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 23:37:36 GMT, Bill <bbaka@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>>If we're talking B.C. it used to be pretty nice back in 1978 when I went
>>up that way. From what I have heard they have an immigrant problem now,
>>so maybe it isn't that nice any more. 28 years could make a big difference.
>
>Yeah Bill, our immigrant "problem" is priily Koreans and Chinese
>coming here, buying up whole blocks and sending real estate prices
>through the roof. Neither can they drive worth shit.
Having lived in China and Korea, I can understand the way the Chinese
and Koreans drive when they come to the US. It's so absurd at rush
hour over there that I;d dream of the wide-open, structured traffic of
NYC at rush hour (and I'm not kidding). Essentially, if there was a
car-size space on the road, there was a car in it. Gridlock was the
norm, and the "rules" were apparently even less binding than they are
in the US.
k Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame
|
| | | | | | | | |
Date: 11 Nov 2006 15:15:47
From: Bill
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
k Hickey wrote:
> Zoot Katz <zootkatz@operamail.com> wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 23:37:36 GMT, Bill <bbaka@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>> If we're talking B.C. it used to be pretty nice back in 1978 when I went
>>> up that way. From what I have heard they have an immigrant problem now,
>>> so maybe it isn't that nice any more. 28 years could make a big difference.
>> Yeah Bill, our immigrant "problem" is priily Koreans and Chinese
>> coming here, buying up whole blocks and sending real estate prices
>> through the roof. Neither can they drive worth shit.
>
> Having lived in China and Korea, I can understand the way the Chinese
> and Koreans drive when they come to the US. It's so absurd at rush
> hour over there that I;d dream of the wide-open, structured traffic of
> NYC at rush hour (and I'm not kidding). Essentially, if there was a
> car-size space on the road, there was a car in it. Gridlock was the
> norm, and the "rules" were apparently even less binding than they are
> in the US.
>
> k Hickey
> Habanero Cycles
> http://www.habcycles.com
> Home of the $795 ti frame
k,
Have you ever driven in Mexico? I drove from Tijuana down to Ensenada on
the only road down the Baja peninsula and the drivers down there are
near suicidal. The big trucks will run even a full sized American car
off the road and have no regard for rules.
When I got back I actually appreciated American drivers (for a while).
Bill Baka
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Date: 12 Nov 2006 07:36:01
From: Mark Hickey
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
|
Bill <bbaka@comcast.net > wrote:
>k Hickey wrote:
>> Having lived in China and Korea, I can understand the way the Chinese
>> and Koreans drive when they come to the US. It's so absurd at rush
>> hour over there that I;d dream of the wide-open, structured traffic of
>> NYC at rush hour (and I'm not kidding). Essentially, if there was a
>> car-size space on the road, there was a car in it. Gridlock was the
>> norm, and the "rules" were apparently even less binding than they are
>> in the US.
>k,
>Have you ever driven in Mexico? I drove from Tijuana down to Ensenada on
>the only road down the Baja peninsula and the drivers down there are
>near suicidal. The big trucks will run even a full sized American car
>off the road and have no regard for rules.
>When I got back I actually appreciated American drivers (for a while).
I've driven in Mexico, but in a very limited basis (to a resort town
near the north end of Baja). Didn't seem all that third-world to me
at all (perhaps because they're better drivers in that area, or
perhaps because they're not as bad as the drivers in China).
k Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame
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Date: 12 Nov 2006 19:48:47
From: Bill
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
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k Hickey wrote:
> Bill <bbaka@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> k Hickey wrote:
>
>>> Having lived in China and Korea, I can understand the way the Chinese
>>> and Koreans drive when they come to the US. It's so absurd at rush
>>> hour over there that I;d dream of the wide-open, structured traffic of
>>> NYC at rush hour (and I'm not kidding). Essentially, if there was a
>>> car-size space on the road, there was a car in it. Gridlock was the
>>> norm, and the "rules" were apparently even less binding than they are
>>> in the US.
>
>> k,
>> Have you ever driven in Mexico? I drove from Tijuana down to Ensenada on
>> the only road down the Baja peninsula and the drivers down there are
>> near suicidal. The big trucks will run even a full sized American car
>> off the road and have no regard for rules.
>> When I got back I actually appreciated American drivers (for a while).
>
> I've driven in Mexico, but in a very limited basis (to a resort town
> near the north end of Baja). Didn't seem all that third-world to me
> at all (perhaps because they're better drivers in that area, or
> perhaps because they're not as bad as the drivers in China).
Ensenada is the only resort town you can drive to without either a
passport or paying off the local road cops. 5 miles south of Ensenada is
a road block with cops looking for money if they can get it, or maybe I
just went on the wrong day. That was back in 1973 +/- a few years so
maybe things have gotten better. If they have not changed and you
thought the Mexican drivers were not that bad, I am never even going to
attempt it if I wind up in China.
>
> k Hickey
> Habanero Cycles
> http://www.habcycles.com
> Home of the $795 ti frame
Bill Baka
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Date: 10 Nov 2006 12:29:05
From: Set
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
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On 10 Nov 2006 05:55:06 -0800, "Buck" <bicyclebuck@gmail.com > wrote:
>Tom Keats wrote:
>> Although I'd think that sort of stuff
>> is as at least as worthy of inclusion in the mayor's Public Disorder
>> online poll, as unh*lm*ted cyclists, defecating/urinating in the
>> streets (I guess some drivers might actually /cause/ that,)
>> jaywalking, littering, and open/public drug use:
>> http://mayorsamsullivan.ca/survey/index.php?sid=2
>
>I thought you were joking. I went to the site on a lark. I cannot
>believe that someone was stupid enough to include cyclists not wearing
>helmets in a list of public disorder problems. That means that the
>person who created the survey (or someone who influences the choices)
>actually believes that not wearing a helmet is a sign of disorder! What
>the heck is wrong with these people?
It's interesting. When I first stared back riding I wore a baseball cap and
would not have worn a helmet - I thought they were uncomfortable and gorky.
I wonder if drivers subconsciously consider helmet wearing as an admission
that cycling is inherently dangerous, a dunce cap, almost a punishment,
like using training wheels; a way of branding bicycles as 'toys' or
something.
Now I actually like wearing a helmet and if I forget mine as I walk out the
door, will stop and go back and get it. Modern helmets look pretty cool,
actually.
But for drivers it's as though they're thinking 'ok, you're already doing
something hazardous and getting in the way, the nerve not to wear a helmet
so that you'll bounce when we hit you.' ;-)
>It smacks of the holier-than-though mentality I see among so many urban
>planning students. Come to think of it, the worst of the lot I had to
>deal with was from Vancouver....
>
>If the survey wasn't active, I'd propose we skew the results a bit. If
>I were the mayor, I would have a long conversation with the maker of
>that survey. I just hope that the mayor didn't see/approve the survey
>before it was posted.
>
>-Buck
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Date: 10 Nov 2006 01:19:54
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
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In article <56nvk2hlbja5da2o5igfgodtd686qs5rfd@4ax.com >,
Zoot Katz <zootkatz@operamail.com > writes:
> Headed home southbound, (Ontario St. @ 12th Ave.) I'd stopped and
> dabbed to wait for the red light. Cross traffic was heavy.
>
> As the light was changing I looked to the left and saw that traffic
> was stopping. I checked to the right and it was stopped. I mounted
> up, clipped in the other shoe and started to go just as my light
> turned green. Suddenly there was a very large horn, very loud and
> very close on my left. I appears the city truck was either unable to
> stop or the driver just felt like squeezing the light to get across
> the intersection.
>
> I froze. I only needed to hold the track stand for about four seconds
> but it felt like an eternity as the truck passed within inches of my
> body.
That's an ugly intersection. Southbound, as you were, you've got
that hump on 12th just to the left where you can't see what's
coming until it crests the hump, and then it's practically right
in front of you. Northbound on Dumfries @ King Edward is similar,
or even worse (no traffic lights there.)
> I turned to the pair of horrified cyclists behind me and quipped,
> "That would have been messy. But at least it would have been cleaned
> up fast." The truck was a street sweeper.
I once heard of an account of a rider northbound on Ontario, riding
through the traffic-calming car barrier (which lets bicycles through)
at 11th -- a driver behind him tried to follow him, right through
the barrier, knocking the sign over. That one reminded me of the
time I was parked on the sidewalk at 10th & heather, doing some minor
adjustment to my static, kickstanded bike, and a driver drove right
up onto the sidewalk at me. Don'cha just hate it when they actually
/aim/ at bikes?
Then there's the drivers who ignore the "cars go one way" thing
on Columbia, up the hill from Broadway (and MEC.) At least you
can see those ones coming. Although I'd think that sort of stuff
is as at least as worthy of inclusion in the mayor's Public Disorder
online poll, as unh*lm*ted cyclists, defecating/urinating in the
streets (I guess some drivers might actually /cause/ that,)
jaywalking, littering, and open/public drug use:
http://mayorsamsullivan.ca/survey/index.php?sid=2
cheers,
Tom
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
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Date: 06 Nov 2006 20:49:28
From: greggery peccary
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
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"Zoot Katz" <zootkatz@operamail.com > wrote in message
news:56nvk2hlbja5da2o5igfgodtd686qs5rfd@4ax.com...
> Headed home southbound, (Ontario St. @ 12th Ave.) I'd stopped and
> dabbed to wait for the red light. Cross traffic was heavy.
>
> As the light was changing I looked to the left and saw that traffic
> was stopping. I checked to the right and it was stopped. I mounted
> up, clipped in the other shoe and started to go just as my light
> turned green. Suddenly there was a very large horn, very loud and
> very close on my left. I appears the city truck was either unable to
> stop or the driver just felt like squeezing the light to get across
> the intersection.
>
> I froze. I only needed to hold the track stand for about four seconds
> but it felt like an eternity as the truck passed within inches of my
> body.
>
> I turned to the pair of horrified cyclists behind me and quipped,
> "That would have been messy. But at least it would have been cleaned
> up fast." The truck was a street sweeper.
> --
> zk
at least they clean your streets up in Canada. down here all the storm
drains are clogged leaving big pools and small rivers to hide big potholes!
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Date: 06 Nov 2006 20:58:41
From: Zoot Katz
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
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On Mon, 6 Nov 2006 20:49:28 -0800, "greggery peccary" <.@. > wrote:
>> I froze. I only needed to hold the track stand for about four seconds
>> but it felt like an eternity as the truck passed within inches of my
>> body.
>>
>> I turned to the pair of horrified cyclists behind me and quipped,
>> "That would have been messy. But at least it would have been cleaned
>> up fast." The truck was a street sweeper.
>
>at least they clean your streets up in Canada. down here all the storm
>drains are clogged leaving big pools and small rivers to hide big potholes!
They keep the major streets clean. Most of the streets comprising the
"bike route" system are residential streets. They're packed with leaf
goo where we're expected to ride. There were several ponds and
cascading torrents this morning.
This street sweeper wasn't cleaning anything at the time. The brushes
were up, thank dog.
--
zk
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Date: 06 Nov 2006 20:44:01
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
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Zoot Katz wrote:
:::: I turned to the pair of horrified cyclists behind me and quipped,
:: "That would have been messy. But at least it would have been cleaned
:: up fast." The truck was a street sweeper.
:: --
Glad you're alive.
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Date: 06 Nov 2006 17:59:27
From: Zoot Katz
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
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On Mon, 6 Nov 2006 20:44:01 -0500, "Roger Zoul"
<rogerzoul2@hotmail.com > wrote:
>Zoot Katz wrote:
>:::: I turned to the pair of horrified cyclists behind me and quipped,
>:: "That would have been messy. But at least it would have been cleaned
>:: up fast." The truck was a street sweeper.
>:: --
>
>Glad you're alive.
>
I'm glad I didn't soil myself.
--
zk
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Date: 07 Nov 2006 01:42:24
From: nash
Subject: Re: A Trackstand Saved My Life!
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LOL
Similar situation happened to me.
Traffic light had changed and a car and I were busy making our way across a
5 lane intersection. Buddy stops mid way and I stopped cause I was curious
and bingo a lone white truck comes barreling through. One more second and I
might not have survived. Common Sense saved my life.
Another time I was on an admittedly narrow stretch of busy road in Surrey.
Semis and everything going through. Being too tired to find a bicycle
friendly way home. I looked behind and saw a White Construction truck
coming a little way off and decided to watch him... he took way too long to
inch over and i being kind of waiting too long to make a decision to get
out of the clipless, slowly plunked on to the sidewalk. I'd say he gave me
less than a foot and it was a fast heavy vehicle. The truck slowed down to
see me get up but continued. No one else even slowed down. What a crowd.
Just not my day I guess.
Track Standing is definitely more sofisticated though. :)
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