Saturday, April 08, 2006

Evil Knevil was safer

State considers backpedaling on freeway bicycle ban
A state proposal to ban bicycles on Portland-area freeways has cyclists up in arms.

But advocates say the dust-up is also a sign of how much the Oregon Department of Transportation still doesn't understand cycling's role in solving the state's traffic problems.
I'm not sure how anyone could make such a laughable statement but the post below might have something to do with it...

"If you're in reasonable shape, you can darn near keep pace with traffic," he said. "There's nothing cooler than passing a car on the highway on your bike."

Now that's a sad statement too. Not sad for a cyclist because it would be cool to pass a car on a freeway but sad for the motorist because obviously there are some serious congestion problems.

Bottom line: I would not ride my bike on a freeway. Pitting 250 lbs that go 25 mpg against something that weights 2 1/2 tons that goes 60 mph is just suicide.

19 comments:

MAX Redline said...

Actually, I'm all for it!

I get so tired of these folks blowing stopsigns and riding not in the bike-lanes but out in the road.

Now they want to ride on the freeways? I see huge potential, here. For one thing, there wouldn't be any need to send out ambulances and fire-trucks; just send out a rendering company to scoop up the mess.

And in time, you'll see fewer aggressive bike-riders on the usual roads, blowing through stopsigns, halting buses, and so forth.

I see it as a win-win. They get to exercise their "rights" right up until they get painted across the freeway, and in turn, we have that much less to deal with.

Anonymous said...

Max -- did your parents ever have any children in which a brain actually developed?

Scottiebill said...

If the legislature goes along with this abject stupidity, then the law should have a clause inserted that releases any driver of legal responsibility if a bike rider gets injured or killed while he is riding on the freeway. The only way a driver could be held responsible is if that driver is speeding or drinking or under pursuit by a policeman and is issued a citation by that policeman for whatever offense has been committed.

Otherwise, these idiots that want to ride a bike on the freeways are on their own and cannot hold anyone else but themselves responsible.

Further, all bike riders should be compelled to license their bikes, as we have to do with our cars and trucks. In that licensing, they would forfeit any claims against a driver should they be involved in an accident, unless, of course, that driver was doing something stupid, like driving 100 mph or drinking or whatever and had been cited for that offense.

To pass a law allowing bikes on the freeway is just plain stupid. If that law is passed by the legislature, then anyone involved in an accident between a bike rider and a motor vehicle driver should be allowed, make that compelled, to sue the State for any and all damages, including attorney fees and repairs to the vehicles involved, as well as funeral expenses for the bike rider.

To do anything else would be total irresponsibility on the part of the legislature, except for passing the law in the first place.

Scottiebill said...

Anonymous, one might ask the same question of your parents that you asked of Max. Or better yet, as them if thay had any children that lived.

We must assume that from your rather inane question of Max, that you are a bike rider. If so, that would explain a lot.

MAX Redline said...

anonymouse,

You been bike riding on the freeway again? Will you never learn?

Anonymous said...

Well, Max and Scottie, unlike you, my mom and sister are two different people.

Anonymous said...

bikes on freeways? That's crazy! Maybe when cyclists start acting more mature on city streets then they can upgrade to freeways. Maybe we should start issuing cyclists special licenses if they think they are responsible enough to take on the freeways. Make them take a test? I wonder if that would work.

MAX Redline said...

anonymouse,

It's clear that you need to start wearing a helmet when you ride. Likely a bit late in your case, but you do serve as a warning to others.

Thank you for your service in this regard.

Anonymous said...

Max -- I watched with intrigue your appearance this week on Jerry Springer. What is it like being the only creature known to scientists who was conceived via anal sex?

Anonymous said...

People, please leave the filthy mouthed libs to their own dismal end.

May they leave their mark in the world as a stain on the pavement.

MAX Redline said...

What is "Jerry Springer"?

I listen to Mike Darcey each week, and have never heard about it.

Anonymous said...

Damn cycle nuts. Here's the problem in addition to dealing with these nut jobs. If cycling becomes more prevalent on the freeways, the government will use that to further regulate transit on said freeways. You guys know what that means, right? You are just asking for the government to come in and regulate you even more, as if they aren't doing enough of that right now.

Anonymous said...

Bicycling is a great way to get around. I ride to and from work almost every day.

But, I have a hard enough time dodging traffic that's moving at 30mph. I would never try riding on a freeway..it's just stupid.

Or...maybe we are witnessing a new extreme sport in the making: "freeway bicycle slalom"

BEAR said...

Hey, Daniel, neat April "fool" prank....you had me going there for a minute. Bikes on freeways??? BWAhaaahaha!!

Anonymous said...

Bear -- You're a moron.

Anonymous said...

I ride the Sunset regularly (every day on the way to/from work) and these people aren't even paying much attention. They trod along not looking and I and others have had to slam on the brakes several times to avoid hitting them.

I think something is wrong when I have more concern about their safety than they do for their own safety.

BEAR said...

I'm a moron? You're the one who wants bikes on freeways....sheesh

Scottiebill said...

Anonymous 1239 - You are wrong on a few points: I do not have a sister or a brother. Therefore, my Mother was the only Mother I have known. Second, it is obvious you do not have a Mother. You must have been kicked out from under a rock by some snake who needed the space for something productive, something that you seem to have no idea of.

Scottiebill said...

Daniel, My apologies. I am using your blog spot for a forum to attack the abject idiots that seem to have infested the area. Maybe a good saturation of Raid will rid the area of the infestation. One can only hope Anon and Roger will inhale deeply.