Spring Break
Response from cyclist
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: Letters to Editor
Dear Editor,
An open letter to the woman worrying about dangerous bikes:
I'd like to inform you of a detail you might not have considered. People on bicycles don't want to be on the sidewalks either! It is much faster to ride on the flat, open road than to follow behind pedestrians on a cramped sidewalk. There is a reason that bicycles are on the sidewalks and it's as simple as this: the roads aren't safe for a bicyclist.
There aren't any designated bike lanes. I myself have been yelled at to "Get out of the road!" while riding my bike. A friend of mine was assaulted by a motorist while on his bike, and my boyfriend has been hit by a car while on his bicycle.
Our choices boil down to this: anger the pedestrians by merely existing (notice that there was no mention of a bike actually hurting anyone, just that one almost made contact with her) or anger the people in control of 2,000 pounds of moving metal. Make us a bike lane and everyone could be happy. Believe me, I don't like trying to keep my balance, both brakes clamped, while I shout "Excuse me please," at a pedestrian who has their earbuds in.
- Samantha Wells
An open letter to the woman worrying about dangerous bikes:
I'd like to inform you of a detail you might not have considered. People on bicycles don't want to be on the sidewalks either! It is much faster to ride on the flat, open road than to follow behind pedestrians on a cramped sidewalk. There is a reason that bicycles are on the sidewalks and it's as simple as this: the roads aren't safe for a bicyclist.
There aren't any designated bike lanes. I myself have been yelled at to "Get out of the road!" while riding my bike. A friend of mine was assaulted by a motorist while on his bike, and my boyfriend has been hit by a car while on his bicycle.
Our choices boil down to this: anger the pedestrians by merely existing (notice that there was no mention of a bike actually hurting anyone, just that one almost made contact with her) or anger the people in control of 2,000 pounds of moving metal. Make us a bike lane and everyone could be happy. Believe me, I don't like trying to keep my balance, both brakes clamped, while I shout "Excuse me please," at a pedestrian who has their earbuds in.
- Samantha Wells
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