US Transportation Secretary and Bikes
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A friend of mine is into model rocketry, and some of his are 6 or 7 feet long. So, he & the family are headed to a launch one day with several strapped, nose pointing forward, to the top of his Honda Pilot. As his wife was getting in the car she took in the visual and said, "You know we're going to get pulled over, right?"
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesThat is just too awesome for words :laugh:.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
I was riding to work at Bell Labs in Andover about 25 years ago or so, going down a hill in Haverhill, when an 86 year old guy, half blinded with cataracts, passed me and then made a right turn into a driveway directly in front of me. I had nowhere to go, t-boned the side of the car, and, as the bike flipped into the air, I was literally screwed under the car frame, with my legs still tangled in the bike. The guy stopped, looked around and didn't see anything (I was under the car), and started to drive off, dragging me under the vehicle. I was sliding backwards towards the rear wheels, with my head about to go under one, when I managed to get the fingers of one hand into the window sill on the rear door and pivot my body away from the wheels. It was still touch and go when someone ran in front of the car, screaming 'Stop your car, you f#$%ing old fool!' I'm laying on the ground, watching under the car, as a pair of geriatric support shoes emerge and hit the pavement, and a quavery old voice says 'What I hit, anyway?' :suss:
L u n a t i c F r i n g e
Good lord.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Chris Maunder wrote:
who feel that their tax dollars give them more right to the road than my tax dollars
Not to stick my head in the lion's mouth (or laser guided sharks, if you prefer), but I've never been able to accept this justifation. Like many intellectual exercises, the math may work out okay on paper but it doesn't always mesh well with reality. There are countless nature trails dedicated to hikers and cyclists. If a group of bikers wanted to take their souped up, 1 gazillion horsepower, no muffler trail bikes and tear up and down the nature paths, they could well argue that their tax dollars give them just as much right to the road as anyone else. Nonetheless, I would see that as a gross violation of the purpose for which the trails were built and find the bikers' actions offensive and out of place. Once upon a time, roads were used by horses. Eventually, when automobiles came along, construction and maintenance of roads changed to support motorized transport. Since roads were once the domain of horses and the like, Farmer Jones could drive his 20 mule team down the middle of 2nd Avenue in New York and claim with much righteous indignation that he had just as much right to the road as anyone else. And tax dollar for tax dollar, the man's got a point. But his 20 mule team interferes with the other 99.99999% of people who use the roads for motorized transport. It's not just unrealistic. It's inconsiderate and an example of an attitude which dictates that the needs of the many must bow to the needs of the few. Modern roadways are meant for motorized transport, and from both a productivity and safety point of view it's simply not realistic to insist on bicycles and cars being treated as equals. However, until a better solution presents itself (I'm sure the shark and laser manufacturers are gearing up their lobbyists even as we speak), I thought that an attempt to redesign roadways so that they are more conducive to supporting both types of traffic was a step in the right direction.
Chris Maunder wrote:
see what happens when a wing mirror hits a bicycle helmet. ... Lanes aren't needed. Sharks with friggin' laser beams A different attitude is.
Now you're talking about a completely different topic. If you can find a way to rid the human race of assholes with bad attitudes (without the plan involving putting Nazis in charge), sign me up. If you think that cyclists are the o
Christopher Duncan wrote:
I'm sure the shark and laser manufacturers
Wow. I wan't to work in Georgia where sharks are made! :-D Silliness indulged. You can go back to your regular postings...
If the post was helpful, please vote, eh! Current activities: Book: Devils by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Project: Hospital Automation, final stage Learning: Image analysis, LINQ Now and forever, defiant to the end. What is Multiple Sclerosis[^]?
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Good lord.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Christopher Duncan wrote:
I'm sure the shark and laser manufacturers
Wow. I wan't to work in Georgia where sharks are made! :-D Silliness indulged. You can go back to your regular postings...
If the post was helpful, please vote, eh! Current activities: Book: Devils by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Project: Hospital Automation, final stage Learning: Image analysis, LINQ Now and forever, defiant to the end. What is Multiple Sclerosis[^]?
Actually, they're made in Florida[^]. We just import them. :-D
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
Chris Maunder wrote:
Lanes aren't needed. Sharks with friggin' laser beams A different attitude is.
Bikes that mount an anti-tank weapon with a recoil management system are what's needed.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Chris Maunder wrote:
who feel that their tax dollars give them more right to the road than my tax dollars
Not to stick my head in the lion's mouth (or laser guided sharks, if you prefer), but I've never been able to accept this justifation. Like many intellectual exercises, the math may work out okay on paper but it doesn't always mesh well with reality. There are countless nature trails dedicated to hikers and cyclists. If a group of bikers wanted to take their souped up, 1 gazillion horsepower, no muffler trail bikes and tear up and down the nature paths, they could well argue that their tax dollars give them just as much right to the road as anyone else. Nonetheless, I would see that as a gross violation of the purpose for which the trails were built and find the bikers' actions offensive and out of place. Once upon a time, roads were used by horses. Eventually, when automobiles came along, construction and maintenance of roads changed to support motorized transport. Since roads were once the domain of horses and the like, Farmer Jones could drive his 20 mule team down the middle of 2nd Avenue in New York and claim with much righteous indignation that he had just as much right to the road as anyone else. And tax dollar for tax dollar, the man's got a point. But his 20 mule team interferes with the other 99.99999% of people who use the roads for motorized transport. It's not just unrealistic. It's inconsiderate and an example of an attitude which dictates that the needs of the many must bow to the needs of the few. Modern roadways are meant for motorized transport, and from both a productivity and safety point of view it's simply not realistic to insist on bicycles and cars being treated as equals. However, until a better solution presents itself (I'm sure the shark and laser manufacturers are gearing up their lobbyists even as we speak), I thought that an attempt to redesign roadways so that they are more conducive to supporting both types of traffic was a step in the right direction.
Chris Maunder wrote:
see what happens when a wing mirror hits a bicycle helmet. ... Lanes aren't needed. Sharks with friggin' laser beams A different attitude is.
Now you're talking about a completely different topic. If you can find a way to rid the human race of assholes with bad attitudes (without the plan involving putting Nazis in charge), sign me up. If you think that cyclists are the o
Christopher Duncan wrote:
Chris Maunder wrote: who feel that their tax dollars give them more right to the road than my tax dollars Not to stick my head in the lion's mouth (or laser guided sharks, if you prefer), but I've never been able to accept this justifation
This whole thing certainly does need to be put in context. The specific situations I find are: - riding along on a two-lane-per-direction road, and having cars get cranky because they aren't able to drive using both lanes at once - riding along a deserted country road (two lane) and having cars get cranky because they aren't able to drive using both lanes at once, or cranky because they have to execute an overtaking manoeuvre (a notoriously difficult operation that, once accomplished, can lead to advanced studies in Indicator Usage and Checking One's Blindspot) There are, however, cases were capital punishment should be used - cyclists riding in the centre of the lane, downtown at 6pm on a Thursday - cyclists riding 2 or more abreast on a single lane - cyclists whose jersey and helmet colours do match their bike.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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Chris Maunder wrote:
who feel that their tax dollars give them more right to the road than my tax dollars
Not to stick my head in the lion's mouth (or laser guided sharks, if you prefer), but I've never been able to accept this justifation. Like many intellectual exercises, the math may work out okay on paper but it doesn't always mesh well with reality. There are countless nature trails dedicated to hikers and cyclists. If a group of bikers wanted to take their souped up, 1 gazillion horsepower, no muffler trail bikes and tear up and down the nature paths, they could well argue that their tax dollars give them just as much right to the road as anyone else. Nonetheless, I would see that as a gross violation of the purpose for which the trails were built and find the bikers' actions offensive and out of place. Once upon a time, roads were used by horses. Eventually, when automobiles came along, construction and maintenance of roads changed to support motorized transport. Since roads were once the domain of horses and the like, Farmer Jones could drive his 20 mule team down the middle of 2nd Avenue in New York and claim with much righteous indignation that he had just as much right to the road as anyone else. And tax dollar for tax dollar, the man's got a point. But his 20 mule team interferes with the other 99.99999% of people who use the roads for motorized transport. It's not just unrealistic. It's inconsiderate and an example of an attitude which dictates that the needs of the many must bow to the needs of the few. Modern roadways are meant for motorized transport, and from both a productivity and safety point of view it's simply not realistic to insist on bicycles and cars being treated as equals. However, until a better solution presents itself (I'm sure the shark and laser manufacturers are gearing up their lobbyists even as we speak), I thought that an attempt to redesign roadways so that they are more conducive to supporting both types of traffic was a step in the right direction.
Chris Maunder wrote:
see what happens when a wing mirror hits a bicycle helmet. ... Lanes aren't needed. Sharks with friggin' laser beams A different attitude is.
Now you're talking about a completely different topic. If you can find a way to rid the human race of assholes with bad attitudes (without the plan involving putting Nazis in charge), sign me up. If you think that cyclists are the o
Christopher Duncan wrote:
Now you're talking about a completely different topic. If you can find a way to rid the human race of assholes with bad attitudes
Throw in pretty much any dipshit who drives an SUV in that category. I can't tell you how many times I've been close to being run over by these inconsiderate douche-bags as a pedestrian on green light, with a WALK sign all lit up.
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
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Christopher Duncan wrote:
Chris Maunder wrote: who feel that their tax dollars give them more right to the road than my tax dollars Not to stick my head in the lion's mouth (or laser guided sharks, if you prefer), but I've never been able to accept this justifation
This whole thing certainly does need to be put in context. The specific situations I find are: - riding along on a two-lane-per-direction road, and having cars get cranky because they aren't able to drive using both lanes at once - riding along a deserted country road (two lane) and having cars get cranky because they aren't able to drive using both lanes at once, or cranky because they have to execute an overtaking manoeuvre (a notoriously difficult operation that, once accomplished, can lead to advanced studies in Indicator Usage and Checking One's Blindspot) There are, however, cases were capital punishment should be used - cyclists riding in the centre of the lane, downtown at 6pm on a Thursday - cyclists riding 2 or more abreast on a single lane - cyclists whose jersey and helmet colours do match their bike.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I would agree with all of that, but respectfully add one more to the list: - cyclists who wear spandex (or anything like it) unless they look like Jessica Alba. That last part's for you, Doug.
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
Missles (atgm, rpg, "recoilless rifles") have minimal recoil. You need to make sure you're not in the backblast though. On the plus side you can crisp the idiot tailgating you as part of a 2 for 1 special. :laugh:
3x12=36 2x12=24 1x12=12 0x12=18
Good to know. Thanks!
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Christopher Duncan wrote:
Now you're talking about a completely different topic. If you can find a way to rid the human race of assholes with bad attitudes
Throw in pretty much any dipshit who drives an SUV in that category. I can't tell you how many times I've been close to being run over by these inconsiderate douche-bags as a pedestrian on green light, with a WALK sign all lit up.
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
You just have to learn to see the humor in all things (assuming you survive the experience, of course). SUVs, almost none of which have seen the business end of either Sport or Utility, became massively popular because auto industry execs discovered that, for a family, the minivan is the single most practical mode of transportation out there. Problem is, sexist world that we live in, it's usually the guys who make the buying decisions. And most guys simply don't have a big enough set of enough self confidence to survive being seen in such a vehicle by their macho buddies. The solution? Create something with the utilitarian appeal of a minivan (actually, a minivan kicks an SUV's top heavy butt in pretty much every functional category), but looks manly. And thus, the SUV was born. And so, the next time one of these bozos buzzes you, just remember. They're driving a minivan with a facelift because they have to do what the wife tells them. [Insert the plural of your favorite machismo insulting descriptive epithet here.] :-D And just for the record, when I was a working musician, I drove a minivan, not an SUV. Biology speaks sufficiently to identify my gender. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
Missles (atgm, rpg, "recoilless rifles") have minimal recoil. You need to make sure you're not in the backblast though. On the plus side you can crisp the idiot tailgating you as part of a 2 for 1 special. :laugh:
3x12=36 2x12=24 1x12=12 0x12=18
5! Heaven knows I do love tactical brilliance. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
You just have to learn to see the humor in all things (assuming you survive the experience, of course). SUVs, almost none of which have seen the business end of either Sport or Utility, became massively popular because auto industry execs discovered that, for a family, the minivan is the single most practical mode of transportation out there. Problem is, sexist world that we live in, it's usually the guys who make the buying decisions. And most guys simply don't have a big enough set of enough self confidence to survive being seen in such a vehicle by their macho buddies. The solution? Create something with the utilitarian appeal of a minivan (actually, a minivan kicks an SUV's top heavy butt in pretty much every functional category), but looks manly. And thus, the SUV was born. And so, the next time one of these bozos buzzes you, just remember. They're driving a minivan with a facelift because they have to do what the wife tells them. [Insert the plural of your favorite machismo insulting descriptive epithet here.] :-D And just for the record, when I was a working musician, I drove a minivan, not an SUV. Biology speaks sufficiently to identify my gender. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesExcept that half the time the drivers are women!!! Talking on their godammn cell phones. What I wouldn't give for a lightsaber...
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
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Except that half the time the drivers are women!!! Talking on their godammn cell phones. What I wouldn't give for a lightsaber...
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
You don't seriously think it's the vehicle that the women wanted, do you? Besides, who needs a light sabre?
Jim Crafton wrote:
Talking on their godammn cell phones.
The Force can have a strong effect on the weak minded. "Honest, officer, I don't know how my car ended up in a tree! It just happened. Really!" :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
You don't seriously think it's the vehicle that the women wanted, do you? Besides, who needs a light sabre?
Jim Crafton wrote:
Talking on their godammn cell phones.
The Force can have a strong effect on the weak minded. "Honest, officer, I don't know how my car ended up in a tree! It just happened. Really!" :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesChristopher Duncan wrote:
You don't seriously think it's the vehicle that the women wanted, do you?
I don't know (and frankly I don't really care - I just want them off the road), but you hear a lot about the "soccer moms" and their affinity for cars like these because of so called safety "features".
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
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I'm sure the topic of bikes, transportation and assorted greens is complex, and since this is the federal government I also have no doubt that there's some sort of bureaucracy botch in there somewhere, but this is exactly the kind of step in a positive direction I was talking about the other day. I think people who ride bicycles (cyclists, folks, not bikers), whether for health or environmental reasons, are to be applauded. My main complaint is that for the most part, the current roadway systems were not built to accommodate cyclists and thus they are generally a hazard to safety on the roads for all concerned. In my mind, the solution is not to put more spandex on streets designed for motorized transport, but to start rethinking our roadways with this new reality in mind. Consequently, I found this article to be highly encouraging, even if it's only baby steps. I'd love to see a three stripe roadway system with separate, dedicated areas for cyclists, Corvettes, and then all those other, lesser vehicles. :-D Transportation Secretary Announces "Sea-Change" for American Transport: Bikes! [^]
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesMost of the Western states have bike lanes on major thoroughfares, especially within cities. A motor vehicle crossing the wide white line is subject to major fines for violating bike space. Unfortunately, there are no equivalent penalties for bike riders who stray from their designated paths, endangering themselves and everyone else on the roadway.
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
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Keith, you realize our wives are connected on facebook? :)
If the post was helpful, please vote, eh! Current activities: Book: Devils by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Project: Hospital Automation, final stage Learning: Image analysis, LINQ Now and forever, defiant to the end. What is Multiple Sclerosis[^]?
Frightening eh? ;P
Dalek Dave: There are many words that some find offensive, Homosexuality, Alcoholism, Religion, Visual Basic, Manchester United, Butter. Pete o'Hanlon: If it wasn't insulting tools, I'd say you were dumber than a bag of spanners.
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Chris Maunder wrote:
Lanes aren't needed. Sharks with friggin' laser beams A different attitude is.
Bikes that mount an anti-tank weapon with a recoil management system are what's needed.
Software Zen:
delete this;I carry an air-horn in my jersey pocket. That also works to flush the local fauna out of hiding.
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At the risk of having the hamsters set upon me, I find the converse is the problem. There is a heavily used cycle lane sharing paths with pedestrians the cyclist are totally reckless, I've almost been hit several times. Additionally they don't require mudguards, so they flick dirty puddle water at your with impunity, and I live in the UK, so the place is covered in puddles pretty much permanently. Driving next to them is almost as bad. At night, normally they don't have any lights (which is illegal) or they have flashing lights (also illegal) which totally distract you from everything else. For some reason the cyclists don't feel the need to obey the traffic lights and/or will cross half via the pedestrian crossings half via the road, change lanes with no warning and completely block the road at the 5mph they seem to be able to attain. Worse, I don't particularly want to see some lycra clad individual's a*se sticking into my face, with the possible exception of Natalie Portman or similar :-).
Dalek Dave: There are many words that some find offensive, Homosexuality, Alcoholism, Religion, Visual Basic, Manchester United, Butter. Pete o'Hanlon: If it wasn't insulting tools, I'd say you were dumber than a bag of spanners.
Try a couple of miles on bike and see how you feel :) Yes l agree there are some cyclists who have little regard for other users. On the other hand how many bicyle riders have injured / killed people? Personally l'm far more concerned about car drivers than l am about some dirt or how my arse looks in lycra ;P Oh did mention the car/van/lorry/bus drivers that for some reason don't feel the need to obey the traffic lights and/or will cross half via the pedestrian crossings half via the road, change lanes with no warning and completely block the road / cycle lane, open doors without looking, think they can over take me with 2 inches to spare, regardless of the oncoming traffic / weather conditions etc opps did I start ranting :omg: my bad.... must be these inconsiderate people l share the roads with as a car driver, bike rider, pedestrain :-D
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At the risk of having the hamsters set upon me, I find the converse is the problem. There is a heavily used cycle lane sharing paths with pedestrians the cyclist are totally reckless, I've almost been hit several times. Additionally they don't require mudguards, so they flick dirty puddle water at your with impunity, and I live in the UK, so the place is covered in puddles pretty much permanently. Driving next to them is almost as bad. At night, normally they don't have any lights (which is illegal) or they have flashing lights (also illegal) which totally distract you from everything else. For some reason the cyclists don't feel the need to obey the traffic lights and/or will cross half via the pedestrian crossings half via the road, change lanes with no warning and completely block the road at the 5mph they seem to be able to attain. Worse, I don't particularly want to see some lycra clad individual's a*se sticking into my face, with the possible exception of Natalie Portman or similar :-).
Dalek Dave: There are many words that some find offensive, Homosexuality, Alcoholism, Religion, Visual Basic, Manchester United, Butter. Pete o'Hanlon: If it wasn't insulting tools, I'd say you were dumber than a bag of spanners.
It's a vicious circle.. Cars don't treat cyclists legally (as a vehicle, pass in another lane, signal when passing, etc), so cyclists start using footpaths. And those of us that stay on the road like we're legally required to by law, develop a form of insanity from dodging cars. Flashing lights get more attention than a single light, and the whole point of those lights are for out next of kin to prove in a courtcase that the driver could see us. Legal doesn't matter. Bike lanes are full of junk flicked there by cars wheels, so if you're using a road bike, you're going to buckle the rim and take a fairly hard fall onto ashpalt, most likely into the path of an oncoming truck. Then motorcyclists will use it, or a car will slide in to turn off. A few km down the road. No offense to walkers, but people wander, no-one seems to be able to walk in a straight line, so riding on a shared lane really is dodging pedestrians. :P Then it's illegal to ride a bike on the footpath, in Aus at least. Doomed if we use the road, doomed if we use a bike lane, doomed if we use a shared lane, doomed if we use the footpath. 'melts bike down for molotov parts and declares revolution'
