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Remember this video? NBC picked up on it and aired it on Mother's Day.
Earlier: 'In a city ruled by cars, why is it that you can get places faster on bikes?'
Remember this video? NBC picked up on it and aired it on Mother's Day.
Earlier: 'In a city ruled by cars, why is it that you can get places faster on bikes?'
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Okay, I'm going to risk sounding like a total buzzkill here as I've seen these vids posted on all sorts of blogs and everyone's all "wow, how great are these guys showing up those drivers!"
Well I'm a daily cyclist and all I have to say is what kind of moron rides their bike on the freeway even if it is "in protest"? Really? Did these guys actually sit down and think up their manifesto before "Jackass"-ing their way down the 10? Fair enough if they did, but it's illegal to ride a bike on the freeway. They shouldn't get a ticket, they should be arrested. Come on people, way to make drivers feel more resentful toward fellow cyclists.
How about if we protest against pollution by cycling with helmets, lights and following all the rules of the road, showing drivers out there that we are not only having a good time but that we are not nearly as irresponsible or annoying as they think we are? Is it too much to ask to show that we should be as respected on the roads as those who are surrounded by steel?
Very fair assessment and very well put.
That video makes my head hurt. That shaking video is like Blair Witch project but on the freeway!
delara writes: "Well I'm a daily cyclist and all I have to say is what kind of moron rides their bike on the freeway even if it is "in protest"?"
I'm a daily cyclists and my question is "What kind of moron allows 18-wheelers to attempt to haul goods on the freeway during peak hour traffic?"
The photo of an 18-wheeler getting passed by cyclists on the freeway speaks volumes about our leadership and its feeble response to the gridlock that is responsible for our poison air.
Before we further besmirchify our fellow cyclistas, let's look at the bigger picture for a moment and ask the hard question. Why are so many motorists sitting in single occupant vehicles next to 18-wheelers, all the while parked on a freeway?
By the way, there were also in-line skaters on the freeway ride.
How bad is traffic on the freeway if it's a safer place to ride and skate than the bike path at the beach?
It's bad! Ride on! Skate on!
Fact No. 1:
About a thousand miles of freeways in California are legally ridable (CADOT)
Fact No. 2:
You don't need to wear a helmet if you are over 18 according to CVC 21212(a)
Fact No. 3:
"Moron" comes from the Greek word "moros" which means "dull." These riders on this ride look anything but dull!
Ride on, my "dull" friends! I might want to join one of your "dull" rides one of these days :-)
I am a bicyclists as well. I am sure back in 1965 there were some Civil Rights leaders telling Martin Luther King Jr. "What kind of moron is going to take a bunch of Black people and march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama? It's not only dangerous but illegal!"
Sometimes you must do that which is difficult in order to change the mentality of those who wish to maintain the status quo.
Bicyclists riding in groups are already harassed by law enforcement in the city of Santa Monica and the city of West Hollywood. They are treated like "second-class citizens". As we have learned from our past, either they must demand change using methods of civil disobedience, or else change will not occur.
This isn't just about pollution, traffic gridlock and $4.00 a gallon of gas. It is about being treated equally. According to the law, bicyclist have all the rights and privileges to use the road. Yet it seems, they are not always allowed to exercise their rights.
"Fact No. 2:
You don't need to wear a helmet if you are over 18 according to CVC 21212(a)"
Well would ya look at that - come talk to me when your head gets smashed on the sidewalk like a melon because CVC21212(a) told you you didnt have to wear a helmet. At least you'll have grounds to sue the government if you still have the ability to string a sentence together.
But since we're quoting convenient statistics, how about your survivability chances increase over 90% when wearing a helmet. http://www.helmets.org/stats.htm
Like putting your head in a lions mouth, drinking bleach or watching Dr Phil, just because you can, doesnt make it a good idea.
Danwuh, I agree, helmet is safer then no helmet. Nobody disagrees with you. But it's not the law and as adults we are free to choose.
delara suggests that cyclists should wear a helmet to get more respect. What does this mean? That drivers should get more respect then cyclists? And cyclists only deserve respect if they wear a helmet because they are second class citizens?
I'm blown away by delara's comment that we should wear a helmet to get respect. I deserve respect no matter what I wear and what type of transportation I use! And if delara only gives respect to those who wear a helmet then HE IS THE ONE WHO gives the cycling community a bad reputation not those who choose freely.
In fairness to the original poster Enci, what was actually said and forgive me for cutting it down for convenience;
"...by cycling with helmets, lights and following all the rules of the road.."
Which at no point infers any respect being given or lost, nor does it make the suggestion that cyclists are second class citizens. As per your right as a human being, you interpreted the statement in a different manner to I and possibly the OP.
Bottom line, you read it one way, I read it another. I wholeheartedly agree with the OP and think riding on the freeway in some kind of half assed protest is ridiculous. Hey look, First Ammendment!
For the record "Moros" actually does mean dull, but in the sense that something is no longer sharp. Not boring or tedious.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moron_%28psychology%29