Civil disobedience in Colorado
Fritz asked if I could write on this topic. I'm happy to oblige.
On July 25th, bicycle riders at Colorado's Sunrise Century may encounter some protesters. An unsigned flier urges area motorists to engage in "civil disobedience" by blocking area roadways with their vehicles as a means of protesting the state's new three feet passing law. Like similar laws in other states, the Colorado version requires that motorists pass bicyclists no closer than three feet. Some drivers object, saying that the new law puts them in jeopardy while they attempt to pass on narrow mountain roads with limited sight lines.
Yes, it's the motorists claiming they're at risk around bicyclists. They could collide with another motor vehicle when they blindly pass without being able to see if the roadway is clear. As we all know, a ton-and-a-half of steel and glass offers dubious safety around those pesky bicyclists, heavily armored in their Styrofoam hats and Lycra.
We have a word for motorists like this - whiners. Here's an excerpt from the news story:
Threats made to disrupt bicycle tour
posted by: Jeffrey Wolf written by: Dave Delozier
BOULDER - Alex Hearn has one word to describe the Sunrise Century: fun. It is not competitive and its primary purpose is to give people the chance to ride a bicycle through some of the prettiest canyons you will find anywhere.
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So imagine his surprise when he learned this year's Sunrise Century was being targeted for civil disobedience. Hearn started to learn about it when fliers started showing up in mailboxes in the area of Left Hand Canyon north of Boulder. The flier carries a title of: "Civil Disobedience, July 25th Block Dangerous Cyclist Day, Boulder, CO."
...The flier goes on to say, "On July 25th in celebration of drivers' rights many cars will use the Left Hand Canyon Road, drive slowly and many may break down unexpectedly, blocking areas to the cyclists on the return leg of the 'Sunrise Century.' Please use judgment during this civil disobedience."
The Sunrise Century had already contacted the Colorado State Patrol and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office to provide traffic control and support for the ride. In light of the threat to disrupt the event, law enforcement officers may have an addition role to fill.
(MORE)
The news site had a photo of the note. Here's what I could read:
On August 5th new regulations limiting drivers rights regarding dangerous bicyclists will be STATE LAW.
CYCLISTS FLOUT COMMON SENSE, ENDANGER THOSE IN CARS ON MOUNTAIN ROADS IN THE NAME OF SELFISHNESS; CARS WILL BE FORCED TO CROSS DOUBLE YELLOW LINES ON DANGEROUS LIMITED VISIBILITY ROADS DUE TO THE EXPANDED RIGHTS OF CYCLISTS.
Yadda, yadda, yadda. Where to begin? Give the author credit for getting the spelling right, at least.
Naturally, I have much more to write on this topic. The rest of the post is over on the Examiner site. As usual, I couldn't resist a snarky response. It's a character failing.
On July 25th, bicycle riders at Colorado's Sunrise Century may encounter some protesters. An unsigned flier urges area motorists to engage in "civil disobedience" by blocking area roadways with their vehicles as a means of protesting the state's new three feet passing law. Like similar laws in other states, the Colorado version requires that motorists pass bicyclists no closer than three feet. Some drivers object, saying that the new law puts them in jeopardy while they attempt to pass on narrow mountain roads with limited sight lines.
Yes, it's the motorists claiming they're at risk around bicyclists. They could collide with another motor vehicle when they blindly pass without being able to see if the roadway is clear. As we all know, a ton-and-a-half of steel and glass offers dubious safety around those pesky bicyclists, heavily armored in their Styrofoam hats and Lycra.
We have a word for motorists like this - whiners. Here's an excerpt from the news story:
Threats made to disrupt bicycle tour
posted by: Jeffrey Wolf written by: Dave Delozier
BOULDER - Alex Hearn has one word to describe the Sunrise Century: fun. It is not competitive and its primary purpose is to give people the chance to ride a bicycle through some of the prettiest canyons you will find anywhere.
Advertisement
So imagine his surprise when he learned this year's Sunrise Century was being targeted for civil disobedience. Hearn started to learn about it when fliers started showing up in mailboxes in the area of Left Hand Canyon north of Boulder. The flier carries a title of: "Civil Disobedience, July 25th Block Dangerous Cyclist Day, Boulder, CO."
...The flier goes on to say, "On July 25th in celebration of drivers' rights many cars will use the Left Hand Canyon Road, drive slowly and many may break down unexpectedly, blocking areas to the cyclists on the return leg of the 'Sunrise Century.' Please use judgment during this civil disobedience."
The Sunrise Century had already contacted the Colorado State Patrol and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office to provide traffic control and support for the ride. In light of the threat to disrupt the event, law enforcement officers may have an addition role to fill.
(MORE)
The news site had a photo of the note. Here's what I could read:
On August 5th new regulations limiting drivers rights regarding dangerous bicyclists will be STATE LAW.
CYCLISTS FLOUT COMMON SENSE, ENDANGER THOSE IN CARS ON MOUNTAIN ROADS IN THE NAME OF SELFISHNESS; CARS WILL BE FORCED TO CROSS DOUBLE YELLOW LINES ON DANGEROUS LIMITED VISIBILITY ROADS DUE TO THE EXPANDED RIGHTS OF CYCLISTS.
Yadda, yadda, yadda. Where to begin? Give the author credit for getting the spelling right, at least.
Naturally, I have much more to write on this topic. The rest of the post is over on the Examiner site. As usual, I couldn't resist a snarky response. It's a character failing.
Labels: bicycling advocacy, bicycling education
posted by Ed W at 6:57 PM
4 Comments:
Snarkasm is not a failure of character... it is your role, your duty, your obligation!
I've just started reading your blog. Lots of great stuff here... nice work!
Perhaps the most ridiculous part of all this is that the motorists are the ones who voluntarily put themselves in danger by not overtaking safely, or so they claim: "CARS WILL BE FORCED TO CROSS DOUBLE YELLOW LINES ON DANGEROUS LIMITED VISIBILITY ROADS"
No-one is forcing you, all you need do is wait until it's safe to overtake. Duh!
Gary Parker and I are going to play with the idea of the Universal Right of Speed, though in the context of a motorist blindly passing, it may be more of a psychological problem. It could simply be a strong compulsion that evades conscious, willful control. In fact, it could be something worthy of the investigative skills of our resident intellectual, Doctor Walter Crankset. I'll call him right away.
Let's just hope he doesn't use that fake German accent again. I hate that.
I've never noticed Oklahoma drivers being shy about crossing the double yellow line, surely Colorado drivers aren't that different. There were quite a few examples of this "fine behavior" noticed during Oklahoma Freewheel 2009. It's like they either don't know what the double yellow line means or are too stupid not to pass cyclists on blind curves or blind hills by driving on the wrong side of the road.
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