Poinciana Favorites And ‘Sharrow’ Bike-Lash
By Rick Boettger
Two topics today: A s
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Have we lost our practical sense? Key West is a congested place. Bikes do not mix well as equals with motorized vehicles in this island traffic, especially when driven by sightseeing tourists who come here yet leave their heads at home. Though we do need to share the road, it’s imperative that ALL OF US be mindful of safety, not just motorists.
Though I applaud the many cyclists who ride safely, many others are a menace (including some skateboarders). It seems the “rights” these folks feel entitled to extend to doing just about anything they please. This includes riding in the center of the lane (or enough of it to impede traffic flow), couples riding abreast to chat, cruising through stop signs/red lights, going the wrong way down one-way streets, not signaling for turns, not wearing helmets/safety gear, not having lights or reflectors, and riding the lane in the opposite direction. I have even seen cyclists talking and TEXTING on their cell phones! The government tells motorists that driving on the roadways is a PRIVILEGE. When did it become a RIGHT to cyclists and skateboarders?
I hear so much whining about how unsafe it is to ride a bike in Key West yet see many taking little responsibility for their own safety. As a motorist, I want equal “whine time.” If you want safety and equality on the roadways, respect the same rules of the road as motorists and don’t be a “street terrorist”. Adjust your view that it’s a motorist’s responsibility to simply “watch out for you” while you do as you please. Try giving the same courtesies and be as mindful to motorists as you expect them to do for you.
You want more equality? Perhaps cyclists need to take a class on safety, pass a test for a cyclist license and have insurance like motorists. If a cyclist is the cause of an accident, points should be assessed against that license or else take “driving school” or a retraining class.
I could go on and on highlighting the disproportionate set of circumstances motorists face to retain their “privilege” while cyclists skip everything, be exempt from licensing & insurance, graduate college straight from kindergarten and automatically receive the “right” to the roadway. I guess it’s just another “welcome to America” scenario. Now go to Germany and observe the harmony between not only motorized and bicycle traffic but pedestrian traffic too. It works in that country where folks know and obey the rules. God forbid we try it here! It’ll be like converting to the metric system! It makes too much sense! lol
It’s time motorists put a foot down and push back a little. Yes, we all have to safely share the road. However, cyclist “street terrorism” is out of control. I curse myself every day for not installing a dash cam in my vehicle. It’s just a matter of time before a cyclist runs another stop sign and ends up under my truck. Of course, it’ll always be the big bad truck’s fault for not driving defensively while my insurance skyrockets and I’m charged with manslaughter.
Regardless of your means of transportation, your expectation as an equal on the roadway comes with the responsibility to obey the rules and have common sense with regard to safety. Don’t make it another “welcome to America” scenario and have it ALL ABOUT YOU!
Sam Clemens, aka Mark Twain, said: “When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.”
Sterling! 😀