Although I appreciate cyclists' contribution to conservation of resources, I have always been baffled by this whole "share the road" attitude. How does it make sense to have someone riding on a flimsy bike amongst the sometimes monstrous vehicles that many people drive? Most bike riders cannot keep up with the speed limit, and thus hold up traffic and force people to swerve around them. I have seen a great number of cyclists ignoring the rules of the road, speeding past cars lined up at a red light, only forcing them to swerve around the biker again when the light turns green. Also, if the bikes are going to be on the road, they should have to be licensed, shouldn't they? It only makes sense, as other "vehicles" such as boats and snowmobiles have to do so. I just don't think that pretending bikes are the same as cars and have a "right to the road" is very practical.

Well, I think it's that kind of arrogance that ends of killing thousands of bikers every year. The bicycle is not a motor vehicle but the law recognizes it as a vehicle nonetheless and therefore is illegal to ride on sidewalks where we could be a danger to pedestrians. Bicycles also have much better stopping power as well as the ability of the rider to see intersections much more clearly than those do in cars. Drivers need to be much more AWARE of their surroundings as well as being patient with bicyclists. I'd advise you try riding with traffic or getting on a bike to understand how infuriating it is when SUVs or others try to cut you off, push you off the road, hit the gas after passing you forcing you to inhale their exhaust etc. Let's not forget the jeers, the honking, and the complete lack of respect for others on the road.

Oh, come off it..."that kind of arrogance". I drive a tiny manual saturn, that I think is powered by hamsters running on wheels, I'm not crowding you off the road or funneling exhaust fumes directly into your alveoli.
Bicycles have much better stopping power, you're right...because their top speed is about 15mph.
I'm not interested in 'riding with traffic' to understand how frustrating it is, because I think it's foolish and dangerous.

Liberate the hamsters you are torturing in your van and get a bike. Fuck you for not being the least bit sensitive.

I was being sensitive until your self righteous response to my first post (which, consequently, did not answer any of the questions I brought up). Just because I don't agree with you doesn't make me a villain, but way to take the high road, champ. You've represented your cause with a grace and maturity that I'm sure all cyclists will appreciate.

It seems like neither of us likes listening, because I felt just as put off with your "oh come off it" routine as you did with my "fuck you" routine.

As far as questions you asked: bikes are supposed to ride on roads it is illegal for them to ride on sidewalks. Bikes don’t have motors therefore they are not motor vehicles and need not require a license. You mention snowmobiles, but as you and I both know, those have "motors" hence the license... but as I answered your questions before and you don't seem to want to acknowledge the answers, that is your problem and not mine.

And if you've ever ridden a bike in traffic you know how gross the pollution is because you don't even have to stick your face on an exhaust because you get just enough from everyone else. I don't have a "filter" on my bike to shield me from fumes. You also don't understand how people have run people I know including myself off streets by side swiping them or the complete lack of respect for bicyclists (i.e. the honking and jeers etc).

Now, you personally may not be guilty of any of this, except perhaps the part about exhaust, after all you are driving a car, but it happens pretty regularly especially in places like Rochester where there are not enough bikers on the roads. I hope more people will be getting involved in cycling cause then they can tell you of their stories and perhaps start making progressive change happen for cyclists in the city and suburbs.

If you’d like to keep on keeping on killing hamsters in your car and ignoring the fact that the bicycle will out live your fossil-fuel death machine by all means go ahead. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop riding in roads and letting people know what I think of their shitty driving when they try to cut me off, run me over, yell, honk, and pollute the air I have to breath to keep going.

Have a beautiful afternoon.

How do you expect me to react to being called 'arrogant' merely because I submitted my reasons for not agreeing with the bicycle 'right to the road' article? It wasn't nearly as uncalled for as your response in your second post.

I wasn't ignoring your answers to my questions, I just didn't realize the distinction between 'vehicle' and 'motor vehicle' was what dictated the need for a license or not. I still think that's pretty silly, because anyone who expects to share the road should be tested so as to assure they are a responsible 'driver' who is aware of the rules of the road, not to mention paying the licensing fees that go towards supporting maintenance of said roads. And once again, no mention of speed limit considerations- if the speed limit somewhere is 40, and most bikers can't keep up with that, do you expect cars to just pile up behind the biker and wait for them to peddle along? If you're going to be on the road, you need to realize that people are going to pass because we don't all have the luxury of allotting 2 hours to get anywhere.

As well, instead of just complaining about my fossil fuel hamster death machine (which, quite obviously was a joke that you need to get over...but even if it were true, don't you know that hamsters love to run? It alleviates stress.) perhaps you could get involved in coming up with a practical alternative for those of us who have jobs that require a lot of travel and can't afford electric vehicles?

And as a general note, I would highly recommend you dismounting your self-righteous high horse (or should I say high bicycle?) because your attitude is unlikely to win over anyone who disagrees with you.

“How do you expect me to react to being called 'arrogant' merely because I submitted my reasons for not agreeing with the bicycle 'right to the road' article? It wasn't nearly as uncalled for as your response in your second post.”

Because to me you sounded arrogant in your statement of bafflement at the whole “share the road” bit. You came off as a crusty (no offense to the crusties out there) road-hogger. So I was pissed because of what sounded like to me was self-righteous car privilege being used in some fashion to question the reality that is bikers on the roads. I mean, regardless of your opinions on bicyclers, we’re there. And if you’re the type of person that voices bafflement it makes me wonder how you deal with bicyclists when you approach them? It’s not like bikers sit in the middle of the road constantly so no one can go around them. Usually we are off the side and the smallest courtesy like slowing down from your 40mph to go around us either fully in the other lane or half in the other lane makes me feel like I’m respected and that attention and care are being used because I’m not a few ton vehicle that could kill me with impunity.

”I wasn't ignoring your answers to my questions, I just didn't realize the distinction between 'vehicle' and 'motor vehicle' was what dictated the need for a license or not. I still think that's pretty silly, because anyone who expects to share the road should be tested so as to assure they are a responsible 'driver' who is aware of the rules of the road, not to mention paying the licensing fees that go towards supporting maintenance of said roads. And once again, no mention of speed limit considerations- if the speed limit somewhere is 40, and most bikers can't keep up with that, do you expect cars to just pile up behind the biker and wait for them to peddle along? If you're going to be on the road, you need to realize that people are going to pass because we don't all have the luxury of allotting 2 hours to get anywhere.”

Do you understand the difference now between a “motored” vehicle and a “non-motored” vehicle now? Again, your arrogance shines through when you claim it’s silly for people to ride bikes if they don’t know the rules of the road and aren’t responsible drivers. Ever thought that maybe there are people that a) can’t afford to buy a car and b) can’t afford to get license? Probably not. At least that’s what I’m hearing. So there are people who don’t follow motor vehicle rules because they may be ignorant of those rules and were never able to receive the training for whatever reason. People still have to get to work, run errands, etc, and if a bike gets them there that much quicker while easing their burden then so be it. Motor vehicles still need to be aware and pay attention! And not enough of them do! I was almost hit yesterday because a guy pulled out of a shopping plaza without looking in my direction first and saw me at the last second and gunned it. See above for my comment on your passing garbage. Oh and I’d argue that biking reduces my commute, not lengthens it like you seem to suggest. You might try it one day!

”As well, instead of just complaining about my fossil fuel hamster death machine (which, quite obviously was a joke that you need to get over...but even if it were true, don't you know that hamsters love to run? It alleviates stress.) perhaps you could get involved in coming up with a practical alternative for those of us who have jobs that require a lot of travel and can't afford electric vehicles?

And as a general note, I would highly recommend you dismounting your self-righteous high horse (or should I say high bicycle?) because your attitude is unlikely to win over anyone who disagrees with you.”

First off, let the hamsters run free of your death machine. Why should they be exploited to get you places? More arrogance sounds like to me… but I digress from the issue of “practical alternatives.” What is it you do? It’s not like I’m going to have the answer. But perhaps you could use that thing on your shoulders (brain?) and come up with an idea of your own. You must have some downtime from work right? Or breaks? Like I said, it’s not so much that you drive as it’s that you drive with an attitude that claims the road is for cars and nothing else, which is false.

As far as “winning people over,” that’s not really my intent. I’m not trying to win a debate with you or try to figure out the best logically sound way of proving my point philosophically. I’m talking truth and I’m taking you and your driving arrogance down a few notches. Don’t like it huh? Well, neither do bicyclists that have to deal with drivers and their shit on a daily basis while riding our bikes. My intent is to scold you like the spoiled, privileged car driver you are for saying things that are demeaning not only to living, working, and commuting bicyclists, but also to the many thousands of bicyclists killed every year because of motor vehicles that don’t watch the roads and aren’t aware of the kind of power they sit behind. If I sound self-righteous, it’s because everyday there is an injury or a death. I wouldn’t sit here and be pleasant with you about the shit going on in Iraq either. The reality is far too disturbing to have a pleasant conversation with you and try to win you over. If you want to win at something, go play a game.

Ah, petulant child, stamping your feet in fury...be calm. If I wanted to say things that are demeaning to cyclists, believe me I would. But I won't let you drag me there.

-In regards to your childish quip about my understanding the difference between motor and non-motor vehicles...of course I do, and did. However I still don't understand why motor vehicles require licenses when non-motor vehicles don't. Motor or not, if you're operating on a road, you should be required to take the tests and such.

-I didn't say it was silly for people to ride bikes if they're not responsible drivers (however, now that you mention it, I do agree), I said it was silly for them to not have to be licensed and contribute to maintenance fees if they're going to claim the road as their own. And if you can't afford even a license, where is it that you need to bike to and from? Surely not to work, otherwise you wouldn't be in the financial quandary that you mention.

-As far as my occupation, I do freelance work that requires a good deal of travel. There's no getting around it. I don't make much money, but a car is a necessity for me. Until the price of a hybrid comes down to the price of a used saturn, my horrible, evil, barely-any-cleaner-than-a-hummer 35mpg vehicle is going to have to suffice.

-Enough with the lectures about driving arrogance. I'm a very alert and generally accomodating driver...though I have issues with bikes on the road, it does not mean that I try to run your kind into a ditch, I understand that you're a person and I don't want to kill, or even maim you (well, perhaps you're a different story).

I think you do have something to gain/lose with your attitude. If you're so passionate about raising driver awareness/respect for bicycle riders, you should work towards doing so in a positive way, not with that snotty, ineffective chiding that seems to have been your m.o. thus far.

Good luck, frogger!