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Driver arrested in road-rage incident
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Additionally, and most importantly, bikes produce almost zero wear and tear to road surfaces, zero winter inversions, zero summer ozone, zero health care costs to anyone who breathes, zero cyclist-caused fatalities (versus 280 due to automobiles in Utah in 07). Result: Cyclists subsidize motorists to use the road, even the ill-tempered ones, and actually improve public health and the environment. Need I even mention a connection between driving and dependence on foreign oil? War in the Middle East? Global warming? (never, mind that's a hoax)
Hate cyclists if you want. Its just the dying gasp of a slothful, entitlement culture asleep at the wheel. Bike commuter tax deductions anyone?
they wear those silly pants! And, it's MY road first!
waaaaaahhhhhhhh.
Your argument about being unable to react to a cyclist doesn't hold water. A bike would be travelling away from you and at least as easy to avoid. Your description of your driving indicates you are going too fast for your abilities.
Heaven help us. The hateful "so what if I kill a cyclist, they have it coming" mentality is appalling. And by the way, I don't know anyone who has died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but I do personally know two cyclists who have been killed by reckless drivers.
Driving a car needs to be better regulated. Take a concealed weapon course and apply everything you learn about a "weapon" to driving. Swerving at someone is the equivalent to brandishing a gun and should be punished as severely.
Wheelbuilder
Motorists - understand the laws of the road, obey the laws, and control your emotions.
Cyclists - understand the laws of the road, obey the laws, and control your emotions.
Oh, wait...that's way to simple and non-controversial for the society we live in today. Everyone continue the long winded, often ridiculous spouting off and arguing. That's much more productive than both sides simply owning up to the fact that motorists and cyclists need to control and improve their emotions and behavior. Give me a break! A bit of common sense and calming down would result in roads where both 2 & 4 tire modes of transportation can peacefully coexist. Keep the rubber side down - whatever you're riding or driving.
Sincerely - an avid cyclist racer who rides on the road every day (and, yes - I signal when I turn, I stop at signs and lights and do my best to obey the traffic laws. I may roll a stop sign here and there...but wait...I do that when I'm driving at times too - I'm sure none of you non-cyclist motorists would ever do such a thing)
The majority of cyclists are courteous. If there is a car behind me and they honk to get me to get out of there way, I will do it if I can safely. Sometimes, the road or hazards on the road dictate that I continue until I can move over to safely let you pass. It is my judgement call on where to ride, either in the lane or to the far right as possible.
A few weeks ago, my brother and I were down in Pleasant Grove, there was a block of road construction with orange barrels down the middle. It create only enough room for one car to go through. While we were riding through this zone a small pickup comes up behind us and starts honking and the driver and passenger were yelling out their windows. How do I safely let them pass? Stop, dismount, get on the sidewalk and wave as they go by?
Racer X Jones got it right. No child wants to grow up without a father or mother. Be Safe!
Also, not all, but MOST people who ride probably also still use cars so the argument of who "pays" for the roads falls a little flat. Are you suggesting that we should not be allowed to use the roads that we helped pay for? Or maybe we should just raise taxes elsewhere to pay for new bike lanes & trails? More construction on the roads would be fun...
AND! Anyone who would actually RUN OVER a biker, probably would react the same way to any other inconvenience: the 80 yr. old on a sunday drive through the scenic backroads. "Run 'em down!" This guy has some issues... I'm sure the judge will require anger management classes...that will really inconvenience him.
So many of you posted comments that begin..."while I don't condone what the driver did--I understand why yada yada". So you don't condone attempted murder. But you understand it. These posters understand why someone would want to murder another person because of the grievous offense of riding a bike. Does this worry anyone else?
2. Golly! You got one of dem "up to date" cars wit one of dem aurtomatic twansmissions!!! Why are you calling others mentally slow? Automatic transmissions have been around since at least the 1950s.
Moreover, when my California Highway Patrol FIL taught my wife to drive she wanted to learn on an automatic. He told her.."You are going to learn to drive a stick, a monkey can drive an automatic".
Hmmmm...
A driver needs to be in control of his car and drive safely, accounting for conditions. Your hypothetical example illustrates a driver who is not in control.
Mr. Barto reportedly swerved at multiple riders before his final meltdown. This is similar to brandishing a gun and should be treated similarly.
As a cyclist, I try to occupy as little of the road as I can and let car drivers pass immediately or at least as soon as possible. When I'm a driver, I try to pass with more than just adequate room and I'm willing to cut a bike rider some slack if I'm briefly held up.
I'm also irritated by poor drivers and bad cyclists, but it's highly unlikely I'll ever be killed by a cyclist. If you drive recklessly, you stand a chance of hurting me or my family. That's why the state controls drivers licenses and drunk drivers who loose their licenses often end up riding bikes.
Please consider your driving habits and drive in control. The most telling thing about your example is the people in the oncoming car are "innocent," but not the cyclist.
Wheelbuilder
Obviously, licensing car drivers is doing nothing to ensure competent driving skills. I'm assuming that Mr. Barto was licensed.
Also, cyclists are not driving IN traffic. Cyclists are PART of the traffic.
Why do some of you haters have such a problem with the shorts? Do they stir feelings in you that you would rather repress?
I'd love to go on a 100 mile ride with one of you.
Me: I'll be wearing lycra shorts that move with my legs so that I won't have serious chafing at the end of the ride. I'll also be wearing a sweat wicking jersey and a helmet.
You: You'll be sporting a nice pair of boot cut 501s, wife beater t-shirt and some Carhartt boots.
You can top that off with an attractive Massey Ferguson baseball cap.
After the ride, we'll see who was more comfortable.
How can you have any kind of rational conversation with such an immature and ignorant person.
Duh...
PS Please don't get angry and mow down a brazen cyclist because of this note!
I see there is nothing but BONE between those ears of yours.
Do YOU call ladies underwear PROPER GEAR?
I prefer a real man with broad shoulders who really works out. Not one who pedals his bike in colorful tights, with big thighs, all day long. You guys seem to need the extra attention for some reason. It's like-- LOOK AT ME SYNDROME--I'M SUCH A PRETTY BOY! HA HA!
Hey "Men in tights" - I'm 6'4" broad shouldered and I never had any trouble snagging a girlfriend(s). Sorry...off the market. Maybe you should take up cycling. You could meet someone. Oh....and I'm assuming you are a woman...right?
Here's my final contribution to this madness. If you are driving around "blind corners" where your speed doesn't allow you to be in control of your car, you either drive too fast, or with too little skill or with inadequate attention. Maybe a speed governor, a performance driving course or a cancellation of a cell phone plan could help you overcome your problem with these "blind" corners. Hint: you will always have the final option of suing the state for making such dangerous roads.
In the countryside there are range cattle that have the right of way. You as a driver are responsible not to hit them, the owner isn't responsible to keep them off the road. If you don't understand the above paragraphs, don't go on the Mirror Lake Highway or many other back roads in the state. If you are forced to choose between an "innocent" driver or an "innocent" cow on a "blind corner," you will be an unhappy camper. Elk and deer are also similarly undisciplined.
Newsflash is cars dont watch for traffic in the shoulders, they watch for traffic in the middle of the road. If you want to be seen on a bike be in the lane of traffic.
I feel, bikes should be licensed the same as cars and property taxes paid on the value of the bikes.
I wonder if the $14,000 custom built bike would still be worth $14,000 if property taxes had to be paid on it.
The road rage guy needs to be put away for a long time, his behavior was criminal, but in the same light, the behavior of many cyclists borders on being extremely childish.
Are these car and truck related taxes used for infra-structure repair? Road work needed due to wear and tear of car and truck traffic? If yes, then perhaps bikes owners should recieve a tax credit since riding a bike instead of using a motor vehicle reduces road damage. I wonder how I would persue this idea--any thoughts?
I don't understand why desnews restricts so many comments and then publishes juvenile taunting by guys like "devin".
Your concerns were addressed above in "Proper Gear". You are obviously completely ignorant about bike gear and have never ridden a bicycle a long distance.
What comment has led you to believe that cyclists are feeling sorry for themselves? Come on a ride, and when you are huffing and puffing, we'll see who is feeling sorry.
Charlie,
Do you lie awake at night worrying about being attacked by a gang of cyclists? Give us all a "brake"!
They made the picture look "real good" huh? Sounds like there's not much we could teach you about driving safely. You seem to know it all already. Great grammer!
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I ride and fortunately find most drivers are very safe. Thank you responsible drivers!