MyDoorsAreOpen
Bluelight Crew
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2003
- Messages
- 8,549
I just got the news today that my cousin's husband was recently hit by an SUV when he was out riding his bike, and injured pretty badly. It'll be months before he walks or cycles again. As a fellow cyclist, I was not only pissed at that driver, but also made very aware of how high a risk I am of having the same thing happen to me. I bike 18 miles a day for work, now that I don't have a driver's license. It's gotten me in shape, but at the same time made me realize what a real law of the jungle kind of place New Jersey's roads are.
I take the bike path along the abandoned canal as far as it'll take me, when it's light out. But I still need to do a lot on public roads, including a few four-laners.
I have had people yell at me as they drive by, and worst of all, had them honk at me when I'm obeying the road rules and not getting in their way. Occasionally an asshole will swerve at me to scare me. Any of these things will make me jump, so I'm lucky I haven't had an accident so far. I've come close though, and have had no problem yelling and giving the finger.
I never had this problem in New York City or Taipei. I felt bikes were just more welcome there as a real form of transportation.
What is your home area like when it comes to cycling? Do drivers there respect the presence of bikes on the road, or is biking seen as strictly a sport, that ought to be kept in parks?
I take the bike path along the abandoned canal as far as it'll take me, when it's light out. But I still need to do a lot on public roads, including a few four-laners.
I have had people yell at me as they drive by, and worst of all, had them honk at me when I'm obeying the road rules and not getting in their way. Occasionally an asshole will swerve at me to scare me. Any of these things will make me jump, so I'm lucky I haven't had an accident so far. I've come close though, and have had no problem yelling and giving the finger.
I never had this problem in New York City or Taipei. I felt bikes were just more welcome there as a real form of transportation.
What is your home area like when it comes to cycling? Do drivers there respect the presence of bikes on the road, or is biking seen as strictly a sport, that ought to be kept in parks?