For many years as a recreational and touring cyclist my attitude was much like Rolando's. Anything but a quiet back road was the domain of the automobile and only a crazy cyclist would ride the busier roads. About 3 years ago I made the commitment to do as many errand by cycle as possible. My gasoline use halved and I discovered how many barriers exist to non recreational cyclists. Also many of my former quiet winding back roads are becoming straight five laned curbed and guttered roads where cars behave as though they were on an interstate. So now I agree with Bud but still have difficulty making myself take the lane and back up traffic.
As Bud alluded, years ago being drunk was an acceptable excuse for everything from rape to vehicular homicide. Not long ago environmentalism was the realm of the lunatic fringe. Electric cars were laughable. Someday the idea of road equality for cyclists will be a given but it will not come without a fight.
A lethal threat to bicyclists
For many years as a recreational and touring cyclist my attitude was much like Rolando's. Anything but a quiet back road was the domain of the automobile and only a crazy cyclist would ride the busier roads. About 3 years ago I made the commitment to do as many errand by cycle as possible. My gasoline use halved and I discovered how many barriers exist to non recreational cyclists. Also many of my former quiet winding back roads are becoming straight five laned curbed and guttered roads where cars behave as though they were on an interstate. So now I agree with Bud but still have difficulty making myself take the lane and back up traffic.
As Bud alluded, years ago being drunk was an acceptable excuse for everything from rape to vehicular homicide. Not long ago environmentalism was the realm of the lunatic fringe. Electric cars were laughable. Someday the idea of road equality for cyclists will be a given but it will not come without a fight.
Bruce, that crazy guy on a bike, Day.