Below is the longest comment AKingsLife.com has ever received. It comes from a gentleman named Dave. So… I felt compelled to just go ahead and make it it’s own post. Get a glass of water, a snack, and maybe use the restroom before you dive into this one…
Here it goes:
Some questions that may help..What is the percentage of bicyclists vs. number of automobiles on the roads designed for automobiles only? (Yes there should be a safer designated area to ride…question is where and who funds this?)
I don’t believe that anyone wants to kill innocent bicyclist with there automobiles. (It is natural to seek blame for tragic accidents… and difficult to pinpoint the fault..) I personally have a hard time understanding why anyone would take the risk of sharing the roadway with thousands of people driving cars that are managing many distractions.(cell phones to me are the worst most common… and how many of you use these while driving…this goes for riders too.. I have seen many cyclist talking and riding) People driving swerve all the time for no apparent reason.. sometimes they just drift.. When I am driving and see cyclist.. I just take the lane furthest away.. but that is me.. and I know that not everyone can or even would do that.. And bicyclist cannot see who is coming and stand no chance for last second manuver to avoid collision..
Even if the Law was written to say that all bicyclist can use the right lane on two lane roads and moter vehicles must yield the right of way and take the left lane…. I still would not share the roadway with vehicles traveling over 30mph…too risky.. You have zero protection between your body and the mass/energy of even the smallest vehicle on the road..
Question…. what would happen to motor vehicles if they decided to line up following eachother on the shoulder of the road at 30mph under the “speed limit”.. Would this be a traffic violation and would they get pulled over? Or what if a group of Harleys did the same wearing a bunch of “hells angels jackets”? (how long would this last)
Bottom line.. It is a free country..(and everyone is free to believe what they feel is right and wrong..and argue for that) And for every argument for your cause…there are just as many for your oppositions cause… Argue all you want.. but at the end of the day.. Before you get on your bikes and share the road way with vehicles on roads built for motor vehicles (not bikes).. take a look at what you may be giving up at home.. doesn’t matter who’s fault it ends up being.. Any collision between a vehicle and a bicycle is not a positive outcome for the cyclist.. and simply not worth the risk..
If you have ever dealt with the sudden loss of a loved one to any accident…you would better understand exactly what you are risking.. a lot of people live in a “fantasy world” where they are invincible. Talk to someone who has personally lost someone to a tragic accident before you make your case….afterall death is the ultimate risk and the reason for all the concern.. “Traffic lights are designed to assist safe passage for vehicles…but if they are ignored for xyz reason(none valid) and a collision occurs death may be the result….
Last thought…. If eighteen wheelers drove at 30-40mph faster than cars (say 100-110mph) and where required to drive in the left land and automobiles in the right lane at 70mph.. how safe would you feel driving?
Even the best written Laws will not “guarantee” safety…
I wish you all the best and safety to you and your families.
Categories: Daily Jibber Jabber.
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