Cyclists are not the enemy!

[Desert Donkey]

An open letter to all citizens of the Hattiesburg area (And elsewhere),

Cyclists are not the enemy!

I ride a bicycle home from work three days a week from Camp Shelby to my apartment on West Fourth Street. It's an 18-mile trip from my building to my apartment. I ride because I want to get in better shape, and my work schedule precludes PT time. I ride because it saves me an average of $40.00 a week in gas money, and I ride because I ENJOY it.

For years, I have used a bicycle to run errands around town, and the best part of doing so is the fact that you actually get to SEE the part of town you're riding through, rather than having it just be an un-noticeable blur going by outside the car window. You can say hello to people as you pass, and can even stop and chat a bit. What's not to like?

Another positive aspect of cycling is the fact that it is much, much better for you than sitting in traffic, cursing and spitting at the other drivers, steering wheel white-knuckled in one hand and a hamburger clutched in the other. I see more fat people sitting in cars than I do riding bikes or walking, and I think there's something to that.

Cars induce laziness, and nowhere is that better illustrated than in the person I saw driving the hundred feet to their mailbox rather than walking to get the mail. I saw no handicapped sticker on their tag, nor did they appear to be in any way disabled when they got out to open the mailbox, so the only thing I can come up with is sheer sloth. Is this what we've come to?

Somehow, the citizens of this area have decided that those of us who choose not to use our cars are a threat, and judging by the reaction I get on my bicycle, it is evidently serious enough to threaten our lives over. I suspect that this has something to do with the fact that everyone around here seems to be in a huge hurry to get somewhere, and having to take an extra ten seconds to pass a cyclist is just too damn' much to ask, dammit.
My question is this: Is it my fault that you have poor time-management skills, and cannot leave in time enough to get to your destination without endangering others?
Here's another one: Is the extra ten seconds you think you'll save by trying to run me down worth it? I mean, is it REALLY worth killing or maiming someone over? I'd really like an answer to this one.

Some drivers seem to think that cyclists are contributing to traffic congestion by using the same roads as the almighty car gods. I disagree. Think about it: The amount of traffic congestion in a given area is directly proportionate to the number of cars on the road. If you subtract a number of cars, you will thereby reduce congestion. It follows that if more people walked(WHAT?), biked(No way!) or (Gasp!)took the bus, there would be fewer cars on the road and therefore less congestion. SO, by this line of reasoning I am actually helping you to get where you're going that much faster by not adding one more car to the mix. So show a little love, ok?

There will be those among us who will strongly disagree with everything I've said here, and that's fine. Disagreement and debate is how ideas are refined and improved. However, I'd like to keep the disagreement as civil as it can be, and I strongly discourage anyone from acting out their displeasure behind the wheels of their cars. So, the next time you see a cyclist going down the road, don't honk, spit, curse, throw things or try to run him/her down. Be courteous, and think about the fact that they're helping in a small way to make your driving experience just a tiny bit better by not clogging up the road.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

Double D I applaud you and your ride to work everyday. I am however hoping that your route does not include any length of US 49. Man that is a dangerous stretch of roadway... Tell me you take the side roads and I will not give you any grief at all... :smt105

[Baxter54]

Double D - I am all for cycling and saving gas. However, when people take a device intended to go 10-15 MPH and ride on a busy two lane road designed for devices that go 45 MPH you are going to have danger. There have been several times when I have had to follow behind a cyclist because there was no room to pass without swerving into oncoming traffic. In my opinion it is the cyclists responsibility to stay out of the normal traffic flow as much as possible for everyone's safety. I am all for cycling in the right conditions, but I would respectfully disagree that HWY 49 and 4th street are right conditions.

[gonefishin]

I think the problem is that most drivers have dealt with to many cyclists that have no clue about how to ride. I think that any person that is going to ride their bike on high traffic roads or congested cities should at least take a short course on how to deal with this traffic. Most people have no idea that a cyclists is subject to the same traffic laws as a driver.

[aaron]

The problem is not drivers. The problem is the city. No sidewalks, no bike lanes. Riding on the street doesn't just create a danger to you, it creates danger to everyone around you. Many accidents have happened because of a slow lane following a cyclist.

[Baxter54]

I agree completely. I would love to see the city add more sidewalks and or cycling lanes.

[Bluesman]

Did somebody really spit or throw something at you??? Maybe you need to get No-Halo to get you one of them shiny deputy badges and a taser/9mil... or something and then you can just taze, shoot or arrest em.:smt118

[Desert Donkey]

Double D - I am all for cycling and saving gas. However, when people take a device intended to go 10-15 MPH and ride on a busy two lane road designed for devices that go 45 MPH you are going to have danger. There have been several times when I have had to follow behind a cyclist because there was no room to pass without swerving into oncoming traffic. In my opinion it is the cyclists responsibility to stay out of the normal traffic flow as much as possible for everyone's safety. I am all for cycling in the right conditions, but I would respectfully disagree that HWY 49 and 4th street are right conditions.

Very true, and I do get off the road surface as much as I can, as a nod to other travellers, but there are some places where there IS no shoulder for me to get off on, so I have to travel as best I can on the road.

I never travel on ANY part of 49 or 98; I only take the "roads less travelled". I am only on Elk's Lake Road for maybe a mile or so, just enough to get across 98, and then it's back on the side roads again.

As to motorists having to wait for cyclists, the fact is that there aren't that many of us around here to begin with, and having to wait an extra minute or so isn't going to hurt anything. I've had to drive behind cyclists too, but I don't see it as an inconvenience; As long as we all make it home safely, that's all that matters.

[Desert Donkey]

Did somebody really spit or throw something at you??? Maybe you need to get No-Halo to get you one of them shiny deputy badges and a taser/9mil... or something and then you can just taze, shoot or arrest em.:smt118

Yep, they've done both. The beer bottle was a near-miss, and I wish I'd had my pistol with me that day, so I could have returned fire on that worthless SOB.

Just last week, some jackass in a dark green Chevy Suburban swerved over at me and honked his big ol' manly train horn at me on Elk's Lake Road. Some people think that sh*t is cute, but if I ever get my hands on one of them, I'll make sure they don't ever pull that crap again, I promise you. Threatening my life is NOT something I have much of a sense of humor about, and I will be looking for Mr. Suburban on my commute home.

I probably sound a bit unhinged at this point, but having people swerve their cars at me in self-righteous road rage really pisses me off(and scares the sh*t out of me), and I figure that if they can threaten MY life, then it's OK for me to return the favor.

[Desert Donkey]

I think the problem is that most drivers have dealt with to many cyclists that have no clue about how to ride. I think that any person that is going to ride their bike on high traffic roads or congested cities should at least take a short course on how to deal with this traffic. Most people have no idea that a cyclists is subject to the same traffic laws as a driver.

Another aspect is the fact that many motorists don't know how to drive, either. When the drivers aren't abiding by the law, that creates much more dangerous conditions than someone cycling could ever hope to. I mean, really: it is absolutely necessary for people to drive over 100 MPH on these highways, as I see them doing EVERY day? They're not even saving any time going that fast, but their obnoxious sense of entitlement has blinded them to the fact that they're endangering every other person around them.

[Bluesman]

That beer bottle thing was serious... I bet it was fresh and they were throwin em back while they were commuting... The bottle could have done severe damage to your head/face if it didn't kill you it would have at least caused the strong possibility of extensive recon. surgery... Did you get a tag number or something??? I bet if you did you could have em picked up for littering at least since their finger prints would be all over the bottle.:smt102

[Desert Donkey]

That beer bottle thing was serious... I bet it was fresh and they were throwin em back while they were commuting... The bottle could have done severe damage to your head/face if it didn't kill you it would have at least caused the strong possibility of extensive recon. surgery... Did you get a tag number or something??? I bet if you did you could have em picked up for littering at least since their finger prints would be all over the bottle.:smt102

It came from behind, and I was trying to get further off onto the shoulder, so I didn't have time to get the tag number of their truck. I'm just glad that bottle didn't connect, because they were going about 50 MPH, and it would have taken me right off my bike. Rat bastard sumbitches...

[Conveyor Belt]

I havent' been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of any projectiles. I have been buzzed a few times, by kids and old folks. Most of my experience has been positive, save for the guffaws from porch dwellers or people yelling things out the window.

I miss the ride. I just don't have the time to set aside for it right now.

Like I said to PD a few months ago... you should just commute with a rifle slung across your back. They'd think twice about that shit then.

[mac]

I don't carry a gun because I'm scared I'd use it-- especially if someone threw a bottle at my head. Too bad you were too busy swerving (and probably having a mild heart attack) to get a tag number. I'm pretty sure that would be considered assault ----or something.

Why do people care that much? I mean, it makes me anxious when I have to pass someone on a bike because I'm hoping they don't come over into my path while I'm trying to get around them, but damn. A bottle at 55 mph could seriously mess you up.

[Remington]

Bicycles and cars don't mix when there is a big speed differential. If a road is designed for cars going 25 mph and the bicycle is going 20 mph, then there is no big difference. But if the road is designed for 45 or 55 mph and the bicycle is going 20 mph, then that's a big difference. That's why there a minimum speeds on some highways.

[dollfus46]

An open letter to all citizens of the Hattiesburg area (And elsewhere),

Cyclists are not the enemy!

I ride a bicycle home from work three days a week from Camp Shelby to my apartment on West Fourth Street. It's an 18-mile trip from my building to my apartment. I ride because I want to get in better shape, and my work schedule precludes PT time. I ride because it saves me an average of $40.00 a week in gas money, and I ride because I ENJOY it.

For years, I have used a bicycle to run errands around town, and the best part of doing so is the fact that you actually get to SEE the part of town you're riding through, rather than having it just be an un-noticeable blur going by outside the car window. You can say hello to people as you pass, and can even stop and chat a bit. What's not to like?

Another positive aspect of cycling is the fact that it is much, much better for you than sitting in traffic, cursing and spitting at the other drivers, steering wheel white-knuckled in one hand and a hamburger clutched in the other. I see more fat people sitting in cars than I do riding bikes or walking, and I think there's something to that.

Cars induce laziness, and nowhere is that better illustrated than in the person I saw driving the hundred feet to their mailbox rather than walking to get the mail. I saw no handicapped sticker on their tag, nor did they appear to be in any way disabled when they got out to open the mailbox, so the only thing I can come up with is sheer sloth. Is this what we've come to?

Somehow, the citizens of this area have decided that those of us who choose not to use our cars are a threat, and judging by the reaction I get on my bicycle, it is evidently serious enough to threaten our lives over. I suspect that this has something to do with the fact that everyone around here seems to be in a huge hurry to get somewhere, and having to take an extra ten seconds to pass a cyclist is just too damn' much to ask, dammit.
My question is this: Is it my fault that you have poor time-management skills, and cannot leave in time enough to get to your destination without endangering others?
Here's another one: Is the extra ten seconds you think you'll save by trying to run me down worth it? I mean, is it REALLY worth killing or maiming someone over? I'd really like an answer to this one.

Some drivers seem to think that cyclists are contributing to traffic congestion by using the same roads as the almighty car gods. I disagree. Think about it: The amount of traffic congestion in a given area is directly proportionate to the number of cars on the road. If you subtract a number of cars, you will thereby reduce congestion. It follows that if more people walked(WHAT?), biked(No way!) or (Gasp!)took the bus, there would be fewer cars on the road and therefore less congestion. SO, by this line of reasoning I am actually helping you to get where you're going that much faster by not adding one more car to the mix. So show a little love, ok?

There will be those among us who will strongly disagree with everything I've said here, and that's fine. Disagreement and debate is how ideas are refined and improved. However, I'd like to keep the disagreement as civil as it can be, and I strongly discourage anyone from acting out their displeasure behind the wheels of their cars. So, the next time you see a cyclist going down the road, don't honk, spit, curse, throw things or try to run him/her down. Be courteous, and think about the fact that they're helping in a small way to make your driving experience just a tiny bit better by not clogging up the road.
My two main problems with bicycles is 1. They want the street but don't want to obey traffic laws. 2. When the ride in Cleveland Park where people walk their dog or with their spouses you can't hear them coming up behind you like you can a car. And running in packs like they are in the Tour de France, taking up the entire road at 45mph downhill in a 25 mph speed zone tends to chap my cheeks.

[dollfus46]

The problem is not drivers. The problem is the city. No sidewalks, no bike lanes. Riding on the street doesn't just create a danger to you, it creates danger to everyone around you. Many accidents have happened because of a slow lane following a cyclist.
Bikes have no business on sidewalks. They are sideWALKS not siderides. They run stop signs, red lights never signal. They are a hazard on the road. Granted, they have a right to the road too. They need to obey traffic laws, and we need to give them some space too.

[Conveyor Belt]

I wish the city would ticket bicycle riders. Too many dangerous ones giving the rest of us a bad name... just like there are bad motorist that make cyclists wary of all.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

The fact the car is 2000 pounds plus and the cyclist is at most 200 should automatically make them wary... Plus the roads Double D is talking about are not that heavily congested... But in this day and age DD of a cellphone in one hand mascara in the other hand a cup of coffee between the legs and a knee on the wheel makes todays bicyclist an endangered species... If the world was perfect which it is not bicyclists would have no problems... But they better have on loud clothing and a rear view mirror as well...
The only person you can control is yourself... Just assume the other idiot will do everything wrong and you may survive...

[Desert Donkey]

I always call out to people on the Longleaf trace when I'm passing them, usually when I'm about 20 feet or so behind them-"Passing on your left." It doesn't cost me a thing, and it keeps people from being startled when I pass at speed.

I always slow down when I see kids, and I stop and dismount when I approach horses(Some horses spook easily at bicycles, so I try to reduce the chance of that).

On the road, I obey every traffic law, to include using hand and arm signals, and I stop at signals and stop signs. I can relate to seeing some cyclists disregarding traffic laws, but for the most part we abide by them better then most of the motorists I see every day. For instance, you'll never see one of us blowing through three lanes of busy traffic at 100 MPH to get into a merge lane in front of everybody else, as I have seen on a regular basis at the 59/98 Interchange.

I agree that we could use some regulation, but I think it'd be more appropriate to more firmly regulate the crazy assed motorists out there. They do ten times more damage than we do, and get away with little more than a slap on the wrist.

[Desert Donkey]

Well, I made another 18-miler through the backwoods today, with little ill effect. had a couple of jackasses who "really showed me" who was "boss of this here road", but other than that it was gravy.

The weather was just about perfect, with "abundant sunshine", in the words of the Weather Channel.

I'm no longer sore after the ride, so I'm getting my "bike legs" back. I can't wait until the longer days of spring and summer.

Pretty soon I think I'll swap my tires out for some 26x1.5's or maybe 26x1.0's to see if I can squeeze a little more speed out of my rig. Later, I'm gonna install an air shock to replace the coil-over type I have now, which will save a few grams and enable me to lock it out for the climbs.

This whole commuting thing ain't bad thus far.

[James Moore]

Keep up the good work DD.

When my bike shop was in Petal I had a customer who also rode his bike from Petal to Camp Shelby. He did this rain or shine and in freezing wind or blazing summer sun. One year he logged over 10,000 miles on his commute.

When he rode in a cross state group ride from Meridian to Vicksburg he intimidated the younger sleek riders clad in neon cycling clothes and on multi-thousand dollar racing bikes. Don rode a Bridgestone mountain bike complete with fenders and racks and an AM/FM radio on the handlebars. He also made the cross state ride wearing his camo fatigues and polished marching boots.

Don loved to blow past the 20 year old racer types blasting country music from his radio. Unlike most other racers types he would also wave at and smile to everyone he encountered. This just seemed to add insult to injury to those prima donnas left in his wake.

When it was time for Don to get his annual military physical the doctor on base took his vitals then informed him that he was going to have to go to Jackson for his physical. When Don asked 'why'? the doc said, "If I turn in this report for a 50 year old man, they will question MY ability as a physician - no man your age should have these stats."

Ride on Desert Donkey, ride on.

James

[James Moore]

The problem is not drivers. The problem is the city. No sidewalks, no bike lanes. Riding on the street doesn't just create a danger to you, it creates danger to everyone around you. Many accidents have happened because of a slow lane following a cyclist.

Aaron,
Can you provide any links or supporting data to indicate that accidents are caused by drivers properly yielding to cyclists and pedestrians?

James Moore
President,
Bike Walk Mississippi

[James Moore]

Currently in the Mississippi legislature transportation committee is House Bill 810 which would require cars leave 3' when passing a cyclists. It would also make it illegal for a driver to make an immediate right hand turn after passing a cyclists when doing so would cut off the cyclists.

The bill will only have a chance of becoming law if it emerges from the committee (the vast majority of bills never do) and I'm told that noon Tuesday is the deadline. When I get to the office Tuesday AM I'll post the contacts for the committee chairman.

Many other states have already enacted "safe passing laws" to protect cyclists. This bill (HB810) would cost nothing and save lives.

I'd also like to address comments that suggest cyclists should not ride on streets with 45MPH + speed limits. There is a reason that our roadways are referred to as the "public right of way" and not the "automobile right of way".

These commonly owned corridors exist to serve all members of the community regardless of their modes of travel. Without full access to these jointly owned common spaces some members of our community would literally be landlocked from where they are to where they need to be.

Many communities in this country have realized the benefits to creating transportation networks that safely accommodate all members of society. Until our community comes to that realization, please slow down and share the road.

James Moore
President,
Bike Walk Mississippi

[Desert Donkey]

Keep up the good work DD.

When my bike shop was in Petal I had a customer who also rode his bike from Petal to Camp Shelby. He did this rain or shine and in freezing wind or blazing summer sun. One year he logged over 10,000 miles on his commute.

When he rode in a cross state group ride from Meridian to Vicksburg he intimidated the younger sleek riders clad in neon cycling clothes and on multi-thousand dollar racing bikes. Don rode a Bridgestone mountain bike complete with fenders and racks and an AM/FM radio on the handlebars. He also made the cross state ride wearing his camo fatigues and polished marching boots.

Don loved to blow past the 20 year old racer types blasting country music from his radio. Unlike most other racers types he would also wave at and smile to everyone he encountered. This just seemed to add insult to injury to those prima donnas left in his wake.

When it was time for Don to get his annual military physical the doctor on base took his vitals then informed him that he was going to have to go to Jackson for his physical. When Don asked 'why'? the doc said, "If I turn in this report for a 50 year old man, they will question MY ability as a physician - no man your age should have these stats."

Ride on Desert Donkey, ride on.

James

Wow! Looks like I'm gonna have to up the ante! :-D

That's the kind of 50 year-old man I want to be!

[R1ZOOM]

Mr. Moore I need to bring my bike over to you to gt tuned up. I bought it from you my first year in college about 11 years ago. It is a Diamondback Sorrento and has been very trouble free. Several years back I let an ex-girlfriend borrow it for a while to ride on rails to trails and she left it out in the weather. It came back in pretty bad shape, and I haven't ridden it much since then.

[James Moore]

Mr. Moore I need to bring my bike over to you to gt tuned up. I bought it from you my first year in college about 11 years ago. It is a Diamondback Sorrento and has been very trouble free. Several years back I let an ex-girlfriend borrow it for a while to ride on rails to trails and she left it out in the weather. It came back in pretty bad shape, and I haven't ridden it much since then.

Anyone who does that to a bike should be referred to as an "ex";)

James

[MamaTyson74]

wow, call me lazy......theres NO WAY I could ride a bike that far. Actually I dont even think I could ride a bike anymore. Its been over 20 years since I got on a bike :-(

[Remington]

Aaron,
Can you provide any links or supporting data to indicate that accidents are caused by drivers properly yielding to cyclists and pedestrians?

James Moore
President,
Bike Walk Mississippi

Here's some interesting reading....

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/traffic/car-bike.htm

[luvnlife]

wow, call me lazy......theres NO WAY I could ride a bike that far. Actually I dont even think I could ride a bike anymore. Its been over 20 years since I got on a bike :-(

Thought I'd be a good mother one day and go riding with one of my girls. I couldn't walk right for a week.:smt009

[MamaTyson74]

Thought I'd be a good mother one day and go riding with one of my girls. I couldn't walk right for a week.:smt009
:cry: The things us mothers do!! :kekeke:

[Conveyor Belt]

wow, call me lazy......theres NO WAY I could ride a bike that far. Actually I dont even think I could ride a bike anymore. Its been over 20 years since I got on a bike :-(

Yes, you could. You just have to have the motivation to do it.

I'm sure Mr. Moore could tell you stories of the retiree's who come in looking for something to do, buy a pair of bikes and end up doing 100 mile rides.

Me, I started out getting winded at doing 1/2 mile rides. It didn't take too long before I could do 10 miles. I think the longest ride I've been on was 18 miles.

[MamaTyson74]

Yes, you could. You just have to have the motivation to do it.

I'm sure Mr. Moore could tell you stories of the retiree's who come in looking for something to do, buy a pair of bikes and end up doing 100 mile rides.

Me, I started out getting winded at doing 1/2 mile rides. It didn't take too long before I could do 10 miles. I think the longest ride I've been on was 18 miles.
See thats what Im lacking.......motivation :ohnoes:
I got on my treadmill last night.....HAHA!! I used to could go 5 miles no problem........last night 1/2 mile and I could do anymore :cry:

[fuzzis]

CB is right...when I bought my bike three years ago, I hadn't ridden in years. By the end of that summer, I had done the length of the Trace and back several times. Now it's been awhile since I've ridden again because I kinda feel like if I'm going to be exercising I should be walking my dog, who would love to be an outside dog but unfortunately gets to live indoors. :(

[Remington]

I'd also like to address comments that suggest cyclists should not ride on streets with 45MPH + speed limits. There is a reason that our roadways are referred to as the "public right of way" and not the "automobile right of way".

These commonly owned corridors exist to serve all members of the community regardless of their modes of travel. Without full access to these jointly owned common spaces some members of our community would literally be landlocked from where they are to where they need to be.

Many communities in this country have realized the benefits to creating transportation networks that safely accommodate all members of society. Until our community comes to that realization, please slow down and share the road.

James Moore
President,
Bike Walk Mississippi

Farm equipment that chugs along a road at 15 to 20 mph are required to display a slow moving vehicle sign and/or an escort with flashers on higher speed roads. Since farm equipment is much more visible than a bicycle, should bicycles on a higher speed road also display a slow moving vehicle sign and/or an escort with flashers?

The term "public right of way" means that it is publicly owned and there is no "automobile right of way" terminology. Interstates are public right of way, but that doesn't mean you need to be riding your bicycle or pushing a baby stroller during your daily constitution down the interstate.

Higher speed roadways are specifically designed for cars and trucks....not for walking, bicycles, skateboards, etc. But due to lobbying, bicycles are allowed on certain higher speed roadways even though the roadways weren't designed for them.

[James Moore]

House Bill 810 provides language that establishes upon the motorist the "duty" to safely pass a cyclist (a minimum of 3ft clearance and only if it is safe to do so). It also prevents a motorist to make an immediate right turn and clears up the ambiguity that all cyclists should use the right halfway of the roadway.


House Bill 810 is soon to either survive committee or die in committee this Tuesday, February 19. A link to the bill is below and the underlined text is the language that is being added:

http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2008/html/HB/0800-0899/HB0810IN.htm (http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2008/html/HB/0800-0899/HB0810IN.htm)

The last day for the bill to make it out of committee is today, Tuesday, February 19th. If you know anyone on this committee or in the house or senate please contact them ASAP.

The number for anyone to call is 601-359-3770. Leave your message and the message will be delivered immediately by a page to the legislator.

Your legislator needs to contact Warren McBride, who is the House Transportation Chairman, and tell Chairman McBride that they are in support of House Bill 810. They can leave the message at his desk. Whether they are on the committee or not, they need to express their support by Noon Tuesday.

Transportation Warner F. McBride, Chairman; Donnie Bell, Vice-Chairman
Members: Tracy Arinder; Toby Barker; Charles Jim Beckett; Kelvin Buck; Larry Byrd; Tad Campbell; Bryant W. Clark; Mary H. Coleman; J. P. Compretta; Mark DuVall; Mark Formby; Jack Gadd; Robert L. Johnson III; Brandon Jones; Bennett Malone; Alex Monsour; Ken Morgan; Harvey Moss; Billy Nicholson; Margaret Rogers; Bobby Shows; Johnny W. Stringer; Preston E. Sullivan; J. Shaun Walley; Greg Ward; Tommy L. Woods; Henry Zuber III

[James Moore]

...
The term "public right of way" means that it is publicly owned and there is no "automobile right of way" terminology. Interstates are public right of way, but that doesn't mean you need to be riding your bicycle or pushing a baby stroller during your daily constitution down the interstate...

Most of my customers you see riding on West fourth street are not out for their daily constitutional. The are coming home from working as a night janitor at USM or they're on their way to Garfield's to cook your supper or wash dishes. They choose West Fourth street not as a means of recreation but because it's slightly less deadly than Hardy.

Here is the story of one such customer, Rosetta, who rode her bike to every destination as it was her sole means of transportation;

When you first open a bike shop everyone who comes in is your favorite customer - but over the years, customers segregate themselves into categories of more desirable and less desirable. After 23 years I still appreciate all who contribute to my livelihood but there continues to be a select group of customers that I truly look forward to seeing in the shop.
When I hear these customers' voices from my secluded office all my work stops as I go out to enjoy their visit.

In 1984, my first year, a 47-year-young black female took a taxi from her home to my small shop in Petal with her broken bike in the trunk. She paid the cabby to wait while I got her on the road again.

Rosetta Burkett was a small impoverished woman with a big smile and a passionate love of her only means of transportation. As I worked on her hand-me-down bike, she browsed the shop asking me the prices of the bikes.

I tried to interest her in the newest fad called "mountain bikes" stating that they would be more suitable for scouring the roadside and carrying aluminum cans to the recycler - her source of income - but she only wanted to talk about the 10 speeds - her description of any bike with skinny tires, curved down bars and small seat.

Over the years Rosetta brought in old bike after old bike for basic resuscitation and always told me of her intentions to eventually come in and buy the fastest 10 speed I had. I can't remember how many different times she would have me figure up how much a week she would need to save for a specific model she spied on the floor - never to have even the 20 percent down payment we required for a new bike layaway.

Fast forward to five years ago when a customer calls and informs me that he met a lady searching a Dumpster for cans on an old bicycle and he would like to anonymously purchase her a new bike. By his description I knew he had met my Rosetta.

I invited the man to the shop where I agreed to sell him a new bike for Rosetta only if I could do so at my cost and I'd pay half of that. Feeling that I was the expert I overruled Rosetta's longings for a racing bike and suggested a practical Giant Sedona comfort bike.

The deal was done and I went to Rosetta's humble apartment to inform her of the impending gift bike. I told her that I would deliver the bike at 10 a.m. the next day and left her in a state of overwhelmed joy.

The next day my employee (also my sister) was so excited about delivering the bike that she insisted we go an hour early. Ignoring my suggestion that Rosetta may not be ready at 9 a.m., I finally relented and we loaded the bike.

Keep in mind that at this time Rosetta is now 64 years old and covers the city daily on her bike as she makes her rounds to gather cans and check on those she refers to as "the elderly."

When we made the turn onto her street she was sitting in a chair by the side of the road dressed in her Sunday clothes, holding a Bible, and looking in our direction. Rosetta was hugging our necks before we got out of the vehicle and was tearful as we unloaded the bike.

Without hesitation she mounted the bike - Sunday dress and all - and road circles in the gravel parking lot making no attempt to avoid the puddles from the last night's rain.

I drove Rosetta home one day after she checked her bike in for repair. As I drove she told me of her good fortune over the weekend when she found a man's wallet on the floor of a Gulf Coast casino. She explained that she discovered $300 cash in the wallet and began "praising Jesus" for her good fortune.

Somewhat puzzled I asked Rosetta if the wallet contained any identification which would have allowed her to return the money to its rightful owner. She smiled and acknowledged that there was ID but she felt that God was using her to teach the man that he should be home with his family rather than spending their money in a casino.
How could I argue with an agent of God?

Even though Rosetta had a small one-bedroom apartment she spent most of her day using her bike to get around town doing for others. I finally convinced her to use a helmet and soon she would come in often and choose a new one always going for just the right look.

She preferred the BMX/Skate style helmets and chrome was her favorite color. When she paid, one never knew from which article of clothing she would be pulling her cash. Sometimes she kept cash hidden in several areas of her garments. We'd just turn our heads discreetly while she pulled together the funds to complete the transaction.

We got word from a family member that Rosetta was in the hospital a few months back and I took the crew to visit. Not accepting the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, she told me that just as soon as she was back on her feet that she would be in for a new 10-speed bicycle and she wanted the fastest that I could get. We assured her we would be waiting to make the deal happen when she was ready.

Rosetta recently died and her memorial service was held in the impoverished neighborhood she just months earlier scoured for cans. The simple white casket, the sole flower arrangement on the floor and the room full of mismatched metal folding chairs were characteristic of the meager life she had lived.

I had taken a photo of Rosetta taken the morning she received the gift bike and made a framed enlargement for the family.
Never has such a small afterthought of a gesture meant so much.
The family immediately placed the photo of a smiling, cycling Rosetta atop the closed casket. Through that photo it was comforting to feel the warmth of Rosetta's smile in that somber setting.

I am truly fortunate in my field of work that I am blessed to meet the Rosettas of our community. This privilege is not available to the investment banker or the manager of a Starbucks but because of the utilitarian nature of my work it is available to me.
Leaving the visitation I read through the one page obituary and was haunted by the sentence that read, "Her close friends were Florence Floyd, Cliff Brown, and Mr. Moore."

I considered her a really good customer - she considered me friend. In the future I will try much harder to be worthy of such a title.

Rosetta is on a new journey now and I hope she encounters good bike shops with lots of fast 10 speeds on display. I hope they are all priced at $300 because I have a feeling that she just might have that amount tucked away somewhere on her person that even the undertaker failed to find. Godspeed, Rosetta, Godspeed.
Your friend, Mr. Moore

[Desert Donkey]

Farm equipment that chugs along a road at 15 to 20 mph are required to display a slow moving vehicle sign and/or an escort with flashers on higher speed roads. Since farm equipment is much more visible than a bicycle, should bicycles on a higher speed road also display a slow moving vehicle sign and/or an escort with flashers?

The term "public right of way" means that it is publicly owned and there is no "automobile right of way" terminology. Interstates are public right of way, but that doesn't mean you need to be riding your bicycle or pushing a baby stroller during your daily constitution down the interstate.

Higher speed roadways are specifically designed for cars and trucks....not for walking, bicycles, skateboards, etc. But due to lobbying, bicycles are allowed on certain higher speed roadways even though the roadways weren't designed for them.

I can promise you that I'm not out for my "daily constitutional" when I ride the roads from Camp Shelby to my house. I use my bicycle as a practical, efficient, money-saving and fitness-building vehicle to make my way home every day. I will continue to use my bicycle as a mode of transportation for as long as I am physically able. My cycling also enables me to meet the physical requirements of my military service by helping me to increase my endurance and cardiovascular fitness. I'm also losing weight and gaining muscle that I would never be able to do sitting behind the wheel of a car every day. I save over $40.00 a week riding my bike, and put about a hundred fewer miles a week on my car, so the practical benefits are VERY real.

Mr. Moore has addressed this entire issue much more eloquently than I can, and I wish more people would take his words to heart, because our community would benefit from what he has to teach us.

I understand that folks around here have hugely important places to go, and that they absolutely have to travel at speeds well in excess of the speed limit to get there, but I submit that all these "problems" with cyclists on the road would disappear if drivers used better time-management and did not feel the need to drive in an unsafe manner. Sparing that extra ten seconds to wait for an opening to pass a cyclist is not going to hurt anyone, whereas flying into a blind fit of rabid, foaming road rage over that extra ten seconds will surely kill someone one day. Which is a better solution, do you think?

[Remington]

I can promise you that I'm not out for my "daily constitutional" when I ride the roads from Camp Shelby to my house. I use my bicycle as a practical, efficient, money-saving and fitness-building vehicle to make my way home every day. I will continue to use my bicycle as a mode of transportation for as long as I am physically able. My cycling also enables me to meet the physical requirements of my military service by helping me to increase my endurance and cardiovascular fitness. I'm also losing weight and gaining muscle that I would never be able to do sitting behind the wheel of a car every day. I save over $40.00 a week riding my bike, and put about a hundred fewer miles a week on my car, so the practical benefits are VERY real.

Mr. Moore has addressed this entire issue much more eloquently than I can, and I wish more people would take his words to heart, because our community would benefit from what he has to teach us.

I understand that folks around here have hugely important places to go, and that they absolutely have to travel at speeds well in excess of the speed limit to get there, but I submit that all these "problems" with cyclists on the road would disappear if drivers used better time-management and did not feel the need to drive in an unsafe manner. Sparing that extra ten seconds to wait for an opening to pass a cyclist is not going to hurt anyone, whereas flying into a blind fit of rabid, foaming road rage over that extra ten seconds will surely kill someone one day. Which is a better solution, do you think?

I didn't accuse you of taking a "daily constitutional". That was a hypothetical situation in the extreme to point out that just because something is considered "public right of way", that doesn't mean it is something is designed for a certain activity. You mentioned where you ride and how you avoid Hwy 49 and that you take the back roads, which I have absolutely no problem with.

My post has nothing to do with you and I salute you for your choice of transportation. My point was that just because it is "public right of way" doesn't it mean it is the best place for all types of transportation, as it was implied by JM. If you chose to ride down the middle of US Hwy 49 and had cars slamming on their brakes and causing rear end collisions because you felt that you had as much right to be there as a car, I would say you were more concerned about your rights than the safety of others. But since you choose to take the secondary roads, then you don't sound that way at all and I would have no complaint with you and would have no problem of patiently waiting to pass you when it was safe.

I have a bicycle myself, but I'm not about to get on a high speed high traffic road.....I'll take the side roads and keep myself and other safe.

[Desert Donkey]

I didn't accuse you of taking a "daily constitutional". That was a hypothetical situation in the extreme to point out that just because something is considered "public right of way", that doesn't mean it is something is designed for a certain activity. You mentioned where you ride and how you avoid Hwy 49 and that you take the back roads, which I have absolutely no problem with.

My post has nothing to do with you and I salute you for your choice of transportation. My point was that just because it is "public right of way" doesn't it mean it is the best place for all types of transportation, as it was implied by JM. If you chose to ride down the middle of US Hwy 49 and had cars slamming on their brakes and causing rear end collisions because you felt that you had as much right to be there as a car, I would say you were more concerned about your rights than the safety of others. But since you choose to take the secondary roads, then you don't sound that way at all and I would have no complaint with you and would have no problem of patiently waiting to pass you when it was safe.

I have a bicycle myself, but I'm not about to get on a high speed high traffic road.....I'll take the side roads and keep myself and other safe.

I see your point, and agree with a great deal of what you have to say. I apologize for bristling at your first post, but in my defense I should add that not all our worthy citizens are as sensible as you are. I have had more than my fair share of open, and even dangerous hostility directed at me for the simple fact of riding a bicycle. I don't understand where this comes from, but I know that the social isolation and aggressiveness engendered by our current "car culture" plays a big part in it.

I think people harass cyclists from the safey of their cars and trucks because they can get away with it, in much the same way as they can get away with abusive behavior on the internet. Anonymity grants impunity, or so they think.

It doesn't have to come to this, people. We can share the road without rancor, just as they do in other areas, and it won't hurt a thing.

[James Moore]

Remington wrote,
"My point was that just because it is "public right of way" doesn't it mean it is the best place for all types of transportation, as it was implied by JM."

Remington,
I've never implied that all public right of ways were the 'best' place to ride. I do contend that all public right of ways should accommodate public travelers of all modes. I realize that currently they do not and that's where we as a society got off track sometime back.

With the sole exception of interstate highways - which even place severe restrictions on how they may be used by cars (controlled access and minimum speeds) - all public roadway projects should be designed to give safe passage to all members of our community whether by motorized conveyance, bicycle, or foot.

James

[Desert Donkey]

Another bone to pick on the subject of public road ways is, why did the City of Hattiesburg block off all the cross streets on West Hardy except for the most heavily travelled (and dangerous) intersections? Now, cyclists and pedestrians are faced with the choice of either trying to negotiate congested intersections or attempting to hop the new median strips in order to cross Hardy.

This would be an example of society getting off track when it comes to public access to the roads and through ways.

Cars are not the end-all, be-all mode of transportation, and to cram increased automobile traffic down our throats in the name of "progress" is downright disgusting.

[CircusRide]

I've never viewed cyclists as the enemy. I've always referred to them as "points".

[fuzzis]

Hey Rem...how much does it cost to add bike lanes to a street project? :confused:

[Remington]

The extra cost would be the extra R.O.W., earthwork, drainage pipe, asphalt or concrete, and striping to widen an additional 6' minimum, which is half of a lane. Cowan-Lorraine Road has a bike path that was included and so do the new bridges to cross Biloxi Bay and St. Louis Bay.

[James Moore]

In many cases bike lanes can be added by simply reassigning the existing space. A good example is Central Avenue in Petal. The two travel lanes and the turn lane are all 13' wide - the width of many state highways with 65 MPH speed limits - yet the speed limit is 35.

For this speed limit and now significantly reduced level of traffic 3 nine foot lanes would be suitable creating space for two 6 foot bike lanes without an additional square inch of pavement or right of way. Paint is cheap.

Hardy Street from 49 to downtown is another example where the current level of traffic would be better served by converting the 4 lanes of 2 way traffic into a three lane street - two travel lanes and a center turn lane. Currently with no turn lane rear end accidents are almost a daily occurrence.

By going from 2 travel lanes in each direction to one not only could you add the missing turn lane you could add a 6 foot bike lane on each side of the road. All without adding another square inch of asphalt. Imagine how the redevelopment efforts of downtown would benefit if USM could be reached from downtown on bike in 10 minutes safely.

In other situations there would be substantial costs including all those Remington mentioned. What we as a society must decide is to what extent are we willing to trade dollars for lives.

In the past 24 months there have been over a dozen cyclists and pedestrian deaths in Forrest County alone. While both cyclists and pedestrians may or may not have been negligent the undisputed fact is that no cyclists was killed riding in a bike lane (as there are none in Forrest County) and no pedestrian died on or in the vicinity of a sidewalk.

James Moore
President,
Bike Walk Mississippi

[Remington]

9' is too narrow for a lane

[Tully Mars]

9' is too narrow for a lane

So what is the MDOT standard lane width for a street with a 35 mph design speed?

[Remington]

..

[James Moore]

So what is the MDOT standard lane width for a street with a 35 mph design speed?

I won't make up an answer to a question when I don't know the answer but I do know that New York city has purposely reduced the size of some city streets to 9' lanes to both create space for bike lanes and to also induce traffic calming.

With or without bike lanes, it's been shown that by simply painting the lane borders narrower (like from 13' to 9') automatically causes drivers to reduce speed. Reduced speeds in those cases reduces the number of traffic accidents as well as the severity of those remaining accidents.

I also know that Bouie Street (in front of Shempers scrap yard) has 9' - and less - lanes including the center turn lane that accommodates the 18 wheelers that come and go from that operation.

James

[Tully Mars]

..

Or perhaps the question should be restated:

What do you think is an acceptable lane width for a city street with a 35 MPH design speed if 9' is too narrow.

[Remington]

Oh, I would say around 11' minimum with 12' preferable.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

According to AASHTO (American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials) Which attempts to help standardize many of the things we see on the many highways we travel and also according to MDOT the "RECOMMENDED" width of any traversed lanes should be 10-12 feet in width. With 12 feet
Here let me just copy and paste it from the PDF
1. Lane Width. The portion of the roadway for the movement of vehicles exclusive of shoulders is called the traveled way. For safety, efficiency and ease of operation, lane widths for the traveled way in the range of 10 ft to 12 ft are used. The use of 12-ft lanes is predominant on high-speed highways. So 10 feet is the minimum recommended width. They also go into several paragraphs which includes shoulder and lack of shoulder on the roadways...
I also ran across Illinois and their discussion on creating bicycle pathways and AASHTO Standards for the cyclist. And followed that to an eventual end... Here is the FHWA site on Bicycles and highways,...http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/
I did find a page that had links to the most bike friendly communities in Mississippi but like an idiot I closed the tab and did not think about it til later. I will try and find it in my history but I been burning up kilobytes over here researching all this...
Illinois site on bike friendly http://www.bikelib.org/roads/aashto.htm
Ok I found another page (http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/communities/) that said Mississippi towns aren't bike friendly but yours could be the first! Woo Hoo!!! Truthfully as many have pointed out there would be a lot more cyclist if they had a safe place to ride in town... Perhaps a parallel street to the main one would work for now?...

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

Ok a lot of verbage there... Authorities on Standards say 10 minimum for slower speeds and 12 for high speed interstates.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

But if you were to take an hour or two and do a little people watching on Hardy or your favorite busy street. Sit there and watch how many people are paying attention to their surroundings... You will see makeup eating telephoning and all of them sometimes at the same time... Even with a 12 foot lane and a 5 foot lane for bicycles I would still be scared to ride it...

[Remington]

12' foot is preferable and 11' is minimum

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

Huh? Where did you read that Rem? I turned crossed eyed trying to find the specs I did on MDOT AASHTO and FHWA sites... Or are you talking about the size of the bike lanes?

[Remington]

Check your PM DTS

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

Got it Rem!! Thanks...

[goober66]

Currently in the Mississippi legislature transportation committee is House Bill 810 which would require cars leave 3' when passing a cyclists.

Unfortunately, I don't think a new state law would have much effect at all. Without an expensive ad campaign, few motorists would even be aware of it. It's like the new "Move Over" law requiring drivers to give up a lane to emergency crews working accident scenes. Few know; even fewer care. \

'Course, another law wouldn't hurt anything either.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

Witnessed by law enforcement though gives LE something in which to cite a motorist. Happily here in Picayune we still move over for emergency vehicles when we see or hear them coming... It has taken some of the transplants from La a little off guard but they are adapting to it well...
WE even still pull over when a funeral procession is coming down the road.
Please tell me Hattiesburg hasn't gotten so big they no longer do these things...

[goober66]

Yeah, it has.

H'burg is a mixed bag. Some do, some don't. I was in a funeral procession in Tuscaloosa a couple weeks ago that was ridiculous. Folks were blowing past, cutting into the line to make turns, etc.

Anyhow, cops can always do a careless driving cite. That would probably have more bite than the bike passing law violation.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

Yeah, it has.

H'burg is a mixed bag. Some do, some don't. I was in a funeral procession in Tuscaloosa a couple weeks ago that was ridiculous. Folks were blowing past, cutting into the line to make turns, etc.

Anyhow, cops can always do a careless driving cite. That would probably have more bite than the bike passing law violation.I really wouldn't want to take a chance with the idiots in cars anyway even if my lane was a 12 footer and theirs was a 15 footer... I would do my best to stay on the side streets as much as posible...

As for the cite? You're right. We have so many laws the LE just about has to have an expert on speed dial as to know what to write...
Which just goes to prove a saying I heard once.
The more you make things idiot proof the better the idiots are made!

[Grover]

Another positive aspect of cycling is the fact that it is much, much better for you than sitting in traffic, cursing and spitting at the other drivers, steering wheel white-knuckled in one hand and a hamburger clutched in the other. I see more fat people sitting in cars than I do riding bikes or walking, and I think there's something to that.


This paragraph says a lot aboute th problem with cyclists. Many, I will say most do not stop for redlights or stop signs.

[Desert Donkey]

Another positive aspect of cycling is the fact that it is much, much better for you than sitting in traffic, cursing and spitting at the other drivers, steering wheel white-knuckled in one hand and a hamburger clutched in the other. I see more fat people sitting in cars than I do riding bikes or walking, and I think there's something to that.


This paragraph says a lot aboute th problem with cyclists. Many, I will say most do not stop for redlights or stop signs.

Interesting observation, but I have noticed that many, I will say most, motorists don't stop for those pesky red lights and stop signs, either. I cannot count the number of times that I've watched upwards of five cars blow the red lights at the intersection of Hardy and 40th Avenue. I watch them do the very same thing at many other intersections as well, and I also see them wildly gesticulating at ME from behind when I refuse to do the same thing in my car.

It would seem then, that the "problem with cyclists" is a relatively minor concern when compared with the appallingly bad driving on the part of the citizens of Hattiesburg. Think about it: A cyclist can do very little damage on his/her vehicle, whereas the slovenly motorists in this town think nothing of using their 5,700 pound wheeled battering rams to force their way through intersections and bully other drivers off the road.

Sure, one has a right to purchase as large, ungainly and inefficient a vehicle as one's heart desires, but I think it should be a requirement that you be able to drive it without threatening or harming others. A car in the wrong hands is many thousands of times more dangerous than any firearm.

[Desert Donkey]

Well, it's now the end of five straight days of bike commuting home from work. My legs are feelin' the burn, but I feel pretty good so far. My coworkers all look at me like I have three heads when I tell them how far I ride home, as if 18 miles is some impossible distance or something.

I've been noticing a LOT of obese people in large vehicles lately, driving along and sometimes munching along, too. Some of them are so glued to their phones that they can't even keep the barge between the ditches, yet at the same time, they'll honk at me as I ride on the shoulder of the road, like I'm some kind of threat to them or something. What gives?

The way I see it, if you're so threatened by a cyclist that you have to honk your horn or swerve and attempt intimidating one of us, then you might as well go ahead and purchase a set of man-boobs and get registered for sexual re-assignment, because you ain't no kind of man.

[primetime]

I thought about getting a bike, but with all the potholes and the way people drive, it's not worth it. Besides, my car can get me to the gym faster than a bike can, and that's imporant to me because when I'm not at work, I'm at the gym. I've never been very fond of putting my life in the hands of other peoples judgement, and riding a bike for that distance is very risky. I do agree though, that people sitting at red lights stuffing food in their mouth because they are in such a hurry to get home and sit on the couch.....well...that's even worse!

[Concernedforhburg]

With the price of gas on the constant raise. The price of bikes has to also increase. Buy today, save tomorrow.

I now have two. My road bike for distance, and my cruiser to get me to work if needed.

PROGRESS HATTIESBURG should give us bike trails all over Hattiesburg.

[my_shade_of_gray]

Wow, what a great thread! And I agree with DD and JM all the way. I purchased a Honda Metropolitan scooter in June of 2007, and boy did I quickly notice how hostile other motorists were, even though I did and still do travel at or near the same speed they are. I never ride it on 49, but I frequent 98. I suppose with the Metropolitan it isn't so much an issue of being afraid of other motorists as it is with a bike, but the insults and jocular swerves (sad that people think alarming another motorist is funny:() and honks are incessant.
That being said, I purchased 2 bikes from Moore's Bike Shop early this year, one being an old Joannou Racer in January (on which i'm still breaking in my Brooks leather saddle) that I ride to USM's campus every day and around town for errands, coffee, etc. The other is a Giant OCR2 which I ride on the Trace and occasionally around town. Regardless of where I'm going, I love taking my bike. I hardly ever use my SUV since the purchase of my scooter, but when it got too cold for the Met, I started riding my bike. I would love to be able to ride my bike to work but I would have to use 4th street about from campus to Turtle Creek Crossing next to the mall. As much as I would love ditching my vehicle altogether in exchange for bike travel, I don't even feel entirely safe in my XTerra on 4th Street! People drive like maniacs on that road and are so unconscious of other vehicles it's ridiculous. Lot's of big Z71s and Yukons and other gas guzzling SUV and truck types that seem to think a scooterist going THE SPEED LIMIT is asking to be maimed or insulted. I really wish more people would start walking/cycling daily commutes instead of hauling ass to the nearest McDonalds and scarfing down a grease bomb on the way to work, only to have to bolt through traffic to make it there at the last second.
I do encourage all to get a bike and go ride it! I love riding the Longleaf Trace in the afternoons and taking a long ride on the weekends. Sometimes I'll just ride downtown (mostly using back roads mind you) and then turn around and come home just because it is so enjoyable to be able to see the city like you really can't while in a vehicle. Good points DD. I hope many people read this and become more aware that... Hey! there are things on the road that have wheels that don't weigh 2 tons, and maybe I should give them a little respect, heck, even a little courtesy.

[Desert Donkey]

Well, here's another letter, but it's a more personal one this time:

Around 6:25 PM I was rounding the curve on the frotnage road behind the Grand Theater, when some ignorant jackass in a white four-door, late model(like 2004-ish) Dodge dakota pickup, USM license plate S2346(couldn't make out all the numbers) decided to show how tough he was by nearly running me down in the apex of the curve while passing me at extremely high speed, straddling both lanes in the process and nearly losing control of his truck.

Here it is: Dear Mr. Jackass,

If you threaten me like that again, I am going to be on the lookout for your vehicle around town, and when I find you, we are going to have a very animated chat about road manners and attempted vehicular manslaughter.

If you're reading this, you had better cool your jets and think hard about what it may cost you to try that little stunt again.

I take threats to my life VERY, VERY seriously, and you just made it to the top of my frag list, buddy.

[sunnycorral]

The problem is not drivers. The problem is the city. No sidewalks, no bike lanes. Riding on the street doesn't just create a danger to you, it creates danger to everyone around you. Many accidents have happened because of a slow lane following a cyclist.


BINGO. We need sidewalks for those unafraid of exercise. ;)

[58ford]

I always avoid squishing bicyclists. They might get caught in the grill & puncture the radiator. Maybe we should employ some sort of a cowcatcher kind of arrangement to bop them out of the way & make the roads safer for the driving public.
Do you think the street sweeper can pick one up or do they have to send out the road crew?

[wilebill]

Do you think the street sweeper can pick one up or do they have to send out the road crew?
I saw the street sweeper try to pick one up one day, but the vacuum wasn't strong enough to suck him up. So the operator had to sit on top of him with the brushes wearing him down until the pieces were small enough for the vacuum. Must have taken it 15 minutes.

[brianinms]

I ride my motorcycle as much as I can as it gets more than double the gas mileage my truck does. A common theme that I have noticed when passing someone on a bicycle is that they drift towards me when I begin to pass them as they are staring at me. If you are looking at a fixed object you will naturally travel in that direction. Thus if you are on a bicycle and are about to be passed keep your eyes and head pointed straight forward.

[Remington]

We were talking about riding motorcycles at work today and I was wondering just what type of mileage a motorcycle gets. Say a touring motorcycle such as a gold wing. 50 mpg???

[brianinms]

We were talking about riding motorcycles at work today and I was wondering just what type of mileage a motorcycle gets. Say a touring motorcycle such as a gold wing. 50 mpg???

A gold wing drinks gas, and maybe gets 30mpg. You could pay 17k for a Civic that gets 40mpg and be better off. I have a sport bike and depending on my riding style I can get 125-150 miles on 3 gallons of gas.

[58ford]

I used to have a GL1100i it got in the 50mpg range, but mileage could vary greatly depending on weather & driving conditions.

[fusil de asalto]

I've got a vulcan and get 50-55mpg depending on my driving. My truck gets 17mpg.

[sunnycorral]

I have a Vespa GT200 and it gets 75mpg.

[brianinms]

This sounds like a gas mileage pissing contest ... lol. However, I would rather walk every where than ride a Vespa down 98 W.

[dollfus46]

Can someone tell me the difference between a Harley Dovetail, Fat boy, and Low rider? I'm lookin' Which would be easiest to have sex on at, say, 35mph?

[dollfus46]

BINGO. We need sidewalks for those unafraid of exercise. ;)
I was under the impression that a cyclist, one who rides a bicycle, should ride in the street and obey the same laws as automobiles. Am I confused....again?

[brianinms]

I wouldn't look to get a Harley. I think you would be better off with a Vulcan or some other metric cruiser. Yes, harley's may be assembled in the US , but a ton of the parts are made in foreign countries.

[SoMissTV]

I was under the impression that a cyclist, one who rides a bicycle, should ride in the street and obey the same laws as automobiles. Am I confused....again?

You're correct. Bicycles are to be ridden on public roadways; sidewalks are for pedestrians.

[58ford]

You're correct. Bicycles are to be ridden on public roadways; sidewalks are for pedestrians.
SoMiss, technically a bicyclists are pedestrians. That aside, you are right about driving in the road & following driving rules.
Thus my earlier suggestion about cow catchers on autos to make driving safe from bicyclists.

[SoMissTV]

The dictionary defines a pedestrian as, "A person walking along a road or developed area."

Cyclist is not included in this definition.

[wilebill]

Thus my earlier suggestion about cow catchers on autos to make driving safe from bicyclists.

I've come to the conclusion that you're a visionary, a man ahead of his time.

[Conveyor Belt]

As long as you guys leave me the hell alone when I'm riding, you can cattle catch whomever else you wish.

Ped- pedi- latin for foot.

Pedestrians are on foot.

Cyclists are on wheels.

[dollfus46]

I heartily take exception with the thread title. Cyclists ARE the enemy and we should take no prisioners. JMO

[James Moore]

Can someone tell me the difference between a Harley Dovetail, Fat boy, and Low rider? I'm lookin' Which would be easiest to have sex on at, say, 35mph?

Since it only takes one hand to operate the throttle and brake on all three I'd say you could pull it off on either of the above.

James

[jojobeans1120]

Can someone tell me the difference between a Harley Dovetail, Fat boy, and Low rider? I'm lookin' Which would be easiest to have sex on at, say, 35mph?

You are SO bad!!!

Since it only takes one hand to operate the throttle and brake on all three I'd say you could pull it off on either of the above.

James:laugh::laugh::laugh:

[James Moore]

You are SO bad!!!

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

He never should have said "cyclists ARE the enemy." I take care of my own.

James

[Conveyor Belt]

Since it only takes one hand to operate the throttle and brake on all three I'd say you could pull it off on either of the above.

James

Who needs hands???

[Desert Donkey]

I always avoid squishing bicyclists. They might get caught in the grill & puncture the radiator. Maybe we should employ some sort of a cowcatcher kind of arrangement to bop them out of the way & make the roads safer for the driving public.
Do you think the street sweeper can pick one up or do they have to send out the road crew?

Looks like I'm going to have to weld tire spikes to my bike frame and fill the frame tubes with about a 15 pound bursting charge and an impact switch.

If I go under the wheels, I'm taking the car with me.

[58ford]

Looks like I'm going to have to weld tire spikes to my bike frame and fill the frame tubes with about a 15 pound bursting charge and an impact switch.

If I go under the wheels, I'm taking the car with me.
SEE!!! Now they're threatening us! All right motorists, I don't know where we can get cow catchers on short notice, but a buddy of mine in Detroit can hook us up with some snowplow blades that ought to do the trick.

[Desert Donkey]

SEE!!! Now they're threatening us! All right motorists, I don't know where we can get cow catchers on short notice, but a buddy of mine in Detroit can hook us up with some snowplow blades that ought to do the trick.

Plow blades, eh? Well, I figure a ten-pound Hall Effect shaped charge ought to do the trick for that. I can just attach it to my rear rack with a standoff spike extending out the back.:evil:

The arms race continues.

You motorists keep it up, and I'll have to go "borrow" my M1A1 from MATES. Then I'll pretty much be the reigning King of the Road.:-D

[brianinms]

Plow blades, eh? Well, I figure a ten-pound Hall Effect shaped charge ought to do the trick for that. I can just attach it to my rear rack with a standoff spike extending out the back.:evil:

The arms race continues.

You motorists keep it up, and I'll have to go "borrow" my M1A1 from MATES. Then I'll pretty much be the reigning King of the Road.:-D

You and your Huffy Roadmaster don't phase me!

[dollfus46]

Since it only takes one hand to operate the throttle and brake on all three I'd say you could pull it off on either of the above.

James

You obviously aren't familiar with my dexterity, or lack thereof.:laugh: Be like trying to poke cooked noodles up a bee's butt. I'd need a 20 mile straight away ridin' on glass.;)

[dollfus46]

Really. does anyone know the difference in the three harley's?

[dyates]

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2008_Motorcycles/08_compare_families.jsp?locale=en_US