USA Today's editorial page includes a piece entitled "Motorists and cyclists can learn to be friends", consisting of brief comments on the issue by readers . I was struck (!) by one comment in particular:
The author: John M. Haddow. It's a stupid statement for a variety of reasons. The initial premise is false; certainly a majority of cyclists know the traffic rules apply. And while many run stop signs (although slowing down a bit), very few run red lights. And what does it mean that he owes cyclists any respect? Is he declaring open season?
I suspect the majority of freeway drivers exceed the speed limit, and I rarely see drivers at stop signs come to a complete halt, rolling slowly a bit before picking up speed again. Does he claim a corresponding lack of respect for most drivers? A driver behind the wheel of a multi-ton vehicle is far more dangerous to one's health than a cyclist on a twenty-pound bike. This doesn't excuse a cyclist's disregard of stop signs or stop lights, but the misplaced outrage toward cyclists continues to puzzle me.
The majority of bikers seem to feel that traffic laws don't apply to them. They move right through red lights and stop signs. If they feel that way, I don't owe them any respect on the road.
I suspect the majority of freeway drivers exceed the speed limit, and I rarely see drivers at stop signs come to a complete halt, rolling slowly a bit before picking up speed again. Does he claim a corresponding lack of respect for most drivers? A driver behind the wheel of a multi-ton vehicle is far more dangerous to one's health than a cyclist on a twenty-pound bike. This doesn't excuse a cyclist's disregard of stop signs or stop lights, but the misplaced outrage toward cyclists continues to puzzle me.
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