Or so screamed the long-honking Suburban driver on Northbound 12th Ave. this morning. He seemed to have a pretty strong egoic attachment to that thought. The screaming happened as I passed him – in my own lane – when he was stopped in traffic, after he had passed me – in my own lane. Hmmm, which of us was driving according to the traffic laws? That’s right: me. Which one of us made an illegal pass? Yep: him. Who’s what’s wrong with this city? Neither of us: there’s room for everybody here.
This kind of thing happens to me most days on Northbound 12th Ave. between Hawthorne and Burnside. I’m beginning to think that driver education is what’s needed most for bicycle safety. Both automobile and bicycle drivers need educating. I could go on about all the jackassery I see bikers doing, but I think my boss is almost here, and he’s bringing me bagels this morning. Later!
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:57 pm
You know, when I first met you, I kept thinking there was just something about you: something I couldn’t put my finger on. But today I’m like “A ha! That’s it! She’s *what’s wrong with this city.*”
I have a hard time letting stuff like this roll off my back, but the things drivers think/yell are just so ludicrous sometimes. Some guy (in, of course, a SUV) stopped and rolled down his window to yell at me last week after I sort of shrugged resignedly when he cut me off. I guess he wasn’t in all that big a hurry after all.
Glad to see you’re still riding in! FWIW, I find 16th to be a pretty good conduit for heading north from inner SE…. gets you all the way to the highway in relative peace.
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:32 am
Good point – if they’re in such a hurry, how come they have time to stop and yell at us? They’re probably just jealous. Kind of like how some people complain when other people “have too much money.” Total jealousy.
I’ve been on 16 (see a previous post) and it not only has a stop sign every other block, but it also crosses several busy streets without benefit of a light. It’s a pain for me in rush hour.
I need a bike like Hollie’s that can fly.