🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <dodd-1111941109060001@reliant.arlut.utexas.edu>,
Stirling S Dodd <dodd@cayman.asg.arlut.utexas.edu> wrote:

>To add my OPINION, I feel that bikes and cars can coexist so long as
>bicyclists use a little common sense (not ride up Lamar during rush
>hour for instance) and cars show a little more curtousy.  

I'm all for courtesy, but I question your assertion that riding up
Lamar during rush hour is discourteous.  What if I'm on a bicycle
trying to get to a destination on Lamar at rush hour?  Why is it not
discourteous for a driver to be driving there making it inconvenient
for the cyclist but not vice versa?  What if a major road like Lamar
is the fastest and most convenient way to get from A to B?  Why should
the cyclist give up the convenience of choosing such a route simply
because some drivers object to the 10 or 20 second delay that his/her
presence causes?


>When I
>cycle, I try to avoid narrow streets where I know that I'll have to
>ride obtrusively in the traffic lane, and stick to less travelled
>streets. When I drive, I give as wide a berth to cyclists that I can
>when I pass, I slow down, and I'll even drive behind them slowly until
>a safe opportunity for both of us to pass arises.  There simply isn't
>anywhere I need to be so quickly, that I can't take 15 seconds to
>treat a cyclist with caution and curtousy.


So your definition of courtesy is for the cyclist to give up
convenience and for the motorist to simply drive safely and legally?
As you say, it usually takes only 15 seconds to treat a cyclist with
caution and courtesy.  An alternative route for the cyclist may take
many *minutes* longer and if their destination is on the major road,
it may not even be possible to find such a route.

In my opinion, courtesy cuts both ways.  Bikes and cars can coexist if
everyone realizes that cyclists and drivers are simply trying to get to
their destinations, and we all respect the rights of others.  This
includes the right to use Lamar at rush hour.

-- 
Siddarth Subramanian
siddarth@cs.utexas.edu
Austin, Texas, USA