Scofflaw Cyclists?
Thread started by
Roadblock at 01.14.10 - 2:26 pm
IT seems that yesterdays Transportation Committee hearing and Monday's City Council meetings were wrought with the phrase "scofflaw cyclists." This phrase was being used by naysayers and bureaucrats as a catch all excuse and deflection everytime cycling infrastructure was being pushed on the agenda.
EXCUSE ME?
Does the LADOT and the haters in city council bring up "Scofflaw Car Drivers" everytime a new piece of car centric infrastructure is discussed? These people need to shut their mouths about scofflaw cyclists because last I checked the sheer volume of traffic tickets and revenue generated from them for Los Angeles is proof positive that we have PLENTY of "scofflaw auto drivers" in this town. Using their reasoning, maybe these ignorant politicians needs to curb all automotive projects too?!
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maybe if we had better infrastructure we wouldn't have to be scofflaws?
shotgunBOOMBOOM01.14.10 - 3:03 pm
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I actually wrote a big long thing about how I feel about this, but part of my New Year's Resolution this year is to be a more positive person! If I'm going to do that, I have to restrain myself against posting my opinion on how the authorities are treating cyclists, and my opinion of politicians in general. Although that kinda gives it away, I guess. ;]
outerspace01.14.10 - 5:00 pm
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I already broke my resolution.
We're always going to be facing the same types of resistance now matter how much things progress for us in the future. Just keep at it.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by outerspace
01.14.10 - 5:07 pm
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even scofflaws deserve respect and protection.
a few weeks ago i was on a ride when an suv made intimidating moves at the group. a moment later a patrol car rolled up. i said to the officer, "excuse me but the suv behind you was just driving recklessly and made aggressive moves at us." he responded, "if you guys rode on the right you wouldn't have that problem."
this sums up the attitude the police now have toward bicyclists... that we deserve what we get.
its been years since the dark ages when women who were raped were blamed because they were wearing provocative clothes.
today we are dealing with the same ignorance.
indigis01.14.10 - 5:56 pm
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Depending on where you are & who you're talking to, those "dark ages" of which you speak are still in effect...People are *always* gonna be there to try to knock you down & take the wind out of your sails & treat you shitty. I think the trick is (as cheesy as it sounds) to BE the change you want to see, use your anger for the Forces of Good (it can have great power there), and PREVAIL/PERSEVERE, above everything else. Keep smiling, loving riding, keep the bike community strong and make it stronger. We have a really AWESOME community, and that's gonna get us a lot farther in making any and all points known. No matter how long it takes.
sinaphile responding to a
comment by indigis
01.14.10 - 6:17 pm
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If I were to go so far as to mention it to the police, and the police gave me that kind of response, I might have reminded the officer that not all the bikes are in the middle of the road, there are some law-abiding cyclists that might have been injured, and furthermore, being annoying on your bicycle is not grounds for assault with a deadly weapon. But then he would have probably thrown you in jail.
Oh, erm... I mean, I'm a more positive person! He would probably have ...! Uh, given... given you flowers?
outerspace01.14.10 - 6:55 pm
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Damn right I'm a scofflaw cyclist. I feel that the rules of the road weren't designed for me (as a cyclist) so sometimes I have to make up my own. I do whatever I need to do to get through traffic. I have no problem with taking responsibility for my actions. If I fuck up and get hit it's no one's fault but mine.
Velocipede01.14.10 - 8:59 pm
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its been years since the dark ages when women who were raped were blamed because they were wearing provocative clothes.
they still do, just less often. that's all we're working towards. just like there's still segregation in america, just less. we all need to keep at it.
tortuga_veloce responding to a
comment by indigis
01.14.10 - 11:27 pm
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Sheesh. Disappointing? yes. Surprising? no.
Keep at it we must.
Coe coe buttaa01.15.10 - 10:51 am
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Ridazz Roulette!
