Bikes Taking The Lane : Blog Post
Thread started by
GarySe7en at 08.7.08 - 11:30 am
In the fallout of some of the big news stories concerning cyclists, like the freeway ride and the Mandeville Canyon incident, I spent quite a bit of time combing the comments of motorists and systematically trying to argue cycling safety and legal concerns usually little piece by piece rebuttals to specific gripes. There were a lot of comments made with a total lack of understanding of cyclists rights to the road. In response to this, I've started writing articles for my blog that run down in full detail why cyclists do certain things that motorists do not understand, so I can link back to support arguments in the future instead of explaining the same thing over and over. The intention is for the articles is to be informative for both motorists and cyclists, and will include safety tips for both parties.
I'm calling the series Bicycle and Automobile Coexistence, and I made this little illustration to go along with it. The first major article for the series (the first post was an introduction) which I posted this morning, addresses cyclists taking the lane, with the CVC link provided for reference as well as pictures and diagrams. As time permits in coming weeks I will do similar articles on different topics, focusing first on points where I hear the most confusion. Education for motorists sharing the road with cyclists, and for cyclists themselves is pretty poor right now, and I want to do what bit I can to address the matter. If you like what this article is about, feel free to link to it all over, it doesn't do any good unless it gets read, and hopefully by more then just those already in the know.
Gary Rides Bikes - Coexistence 2: Bicycles Taking The Lane
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i read this. its quite good. i was needing something like it just the other day, in fact. i was having a friendly discussion with a car-advocating friend of mine, and i found myself at a loss for a sensible response to some of the same issues you discuss. word.
lackflag08.7.08 - 11:50 am
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WOW!!!
Awesome job Gary! Hopefully your link can be added to the links page of the top right of this page. Looks like it would be a great reference for everyone to go to.
Keep up the good work and your help is well appreciated.
User108.7.08 - 11:51 am
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word!!
also - who did that awesome artwork?? it's so cute!!
redridinghood08.7.08 - 12:13 pm
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Glad people are liking it so far, I hope it becomes a useful resource.
RRH - I did the art for the graphic, It was quickly sketched up in photoshop.
GarySe7en08.7.08 - 12:18 pm
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linked it to the front page yo. nice article.
Roadblock08.7.08 - 12:41 pm
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This reminds me of the insta-rebuttal pages that people create to combat insane creationists online.
You obviously read through the bullshit that people posted online about bicycles, and have neatly taken apart the issue and assembled in the light of reason.
This is a tremendous resource.
Just to annoy people, I think I'll post links to it the next time some "pro-car anti-bike" troll gets started in an online forum.
ubrayj0208.7.08 - 12:51 pm
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Nice work, Gary! Very rational and clear.
If you'll excuse me being the nit-picky grammarian, the line "Use you're ears" should read "Use your ears".
mr rollers08.7.08 - 12:59 pm
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Thanks for the front page link Roadblock, and I fixed the grammatical error rollers, thanks for catching it. It's really my fault but I'm going to point fingers at my proof reading girlfriend haha.
GarySe7en08.7.08 - 1:28 pm
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This is great, Gary.. I'm going to do a full profile piece on Streetsblog next week and maybe I can get the New Yorkers (who have 5 times the audience I do) to carry it as well.
daymen08.7.08 - 2:01 pm
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you know when you point a finger, three are pointed back at you.
great work :)
dannyzuko08.8.08 - 9:10 am
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Getting featured on Streetsblog would be great, there is stuff for cyclists to read in here, but I really want to engage a wider audience.
GarySe7en08.8.08 - 2:21 pm
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