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Never be so dumb to follow a bike lane

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TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher

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May 20, 2012, 2:09:35 PM5/20/12
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We've got dozens of them, but none are connected. You may think it
would get you through and find out that you are stuck with no
particular place to go, a sidewalk perhaps if you are lucky. They are
the product of "evil idiocy," to quote someone who was describing
driver behavior. This type of idiocy though is the design of the
system --the engineers to be exact-- not the idiots having a mind of
their own.

We got three types of bike facilities around here:

1- bike lanes that don't connect,

2- share the lane with the idiotic drivers,

3- ride on sidewalks and bump into pedestrians.

They launched a full blown bike sharing program without proper
facilities. That's evil idiocy.

But that's only my humble opinion.

------------------------------------------------------------
http://webspawner.com/users/BANANAREVOLUTION

Tom

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May 20, 2012, 2:20:01 PM5/20/12
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everyone is an idiot but me and you and i have serious doubts about you!!!!!

TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher

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May 22, 2012, 12:09:58 PM5/22/12
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On May 20, 3:27 pm, Phil W Lee <p...@lee-family.me.uk> wrote:
> "Ian Field" <gangprobing.al...@ntlworld.com> considered Sat, 19 May
> 2012 20:59:59 +0100 the perfect time to write:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >"TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher" <comandante.ban...@yahoo.com>
> >wrote in message
> >news:f025e747-2d61-4485...@j10g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
> >> We've got dozens of them, but none are connected. You may think it
> >> would get you through and find out that you are stuck with no
> >> particular place to go, a sidewalk perhaps if you are lucky. They are
> >> the product of "evil idiocy," to quote someone who was describing
> >> driver behavior. This type of idiocy though is the design of the
> >> system --the engineers to be exact-- not the idiots having a mind of
> >> their own.
>
> >A recent story in UK newspapers:
>
> >Workers painting road markings couldn't get to the kerb because of parked
> >cars - so they painted the cycle lane markings just inside the line down the
> >middle of the road.
>
> Repeating it doesn't make the ill-informed "journalism" right.
> Those were sharrows, and were never intended to be by the kerb.
> An ignoramus who believed all farcilities should be in the gutter
> "broke" the "story" and the paper were too stupid to realise how
> idiotic it proved them to be by publishing it.
> Of course, "tabloid journo is moron" isn't news, so selling that rag
> as a newspaper may well have been a breach of the trade descriptions
> act.

Sharrows can also be evil or smart. We find them here after a long
winding and grinding causeway --which you better do on sidewalks-- and
then "appear" on a blind curve. Again it "disappears" in half a mile.
What engineer could have pitched such a curve?

CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY WORD.

Now, what happens where there are no sharrows. Don't cyclists belong
anyway?

Oh, another causeway does something similar. Is the Devil loose around
here?

TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher

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May 22, 2012, 12:09:47 PM5/22/12
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If you drive a Toyota you got a high probability of idiocy.

Cyclists are way smarter than that.

TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher

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May 22, 2012, 12:35:15 PM5/22/12
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On May 21, 8:31 pm, Frank Krygowski <frkrygowREM...@gEEmail.com>
wrote:
> John B. wrote:
> > On Mon, 21 May 2012 08:23:46 -0400, Frank Krygowski
> > <frkrygowREM...@gEEmail.com>  wrote:
>
> >> John B. wrote:
> >>> On Sun, 20 May 2012 23:19:36 -0400, Frank Krygowski
> >>> <frkrygowREM...@gEEmail.com>   wrote:
>
> >>>> Sometimes I get yelled at when cycling, too.  Or get a horn honked at
> >>>> me.  It doesn't happen often, though.  And when it happens it doesn't
> >>>> make me behave any differently.
>
> >>>> Sometimes I mutter quietly "Why do you think _you_ know more about
> >>>> bicycling than I do?"
>
> >>> Rather like those who think "Why do you think know more about
> >>> automobiles", isn't it?
>
> >> Rather like Joe Sixpack telling Richard Petty about how he should be
> >> doing NASCAR.
>
> >>> But more seriously, there was a post on another site that probably
> >>> goes a long way to describe the auto - bike controversy. The poster,
> >>> certainly a car driver said, in essence:
>
> >>> Why aren't those things licensed and inspected - how do we know that
> >>> they are safe.
>
> >>> Why aren't those guys tested and licensed - how do we know that they
> >>> know what they are doing?
>
> >>> Why do they believe that they can break highway laws, run stop signs,
> >>> etc., without penalty.
>
> >>> Why don't they gets points on their licenses and lose their licenses
> >>> if they keep breaking the law.
>
> >>> The various replies that the chap got all boiled down to "Hear, Hear!"
>
> >> Of course.  Many motorists forget that operating a deadly vehicle in
> >> public is a privilege requiring licensing and insurance, while
> >> non-motorized travel is a right.  Many motorists have the false belief
> >> that the roads exist only for their convenience.  Most motorists think
> >> their constant disobedience of traffic laws is reasonable, yet similar
> >> behavior by others is despicable.
>
> >> "Anyone who drives faster than me is a raving maniac.  Anyone who drives
> >> slower than me is a doddering fool."
>
> >> Motorists who hold those views most strongly are the ones most likely to
> >> post on the internet.
>
> > I'm not sure what you are saying here. Are you saying that there is
> > need for highway regulations? That testing vehicles for safety
> > features, like brakes, steering, lighting is unnecessary? That
> > establishing some sort of minimum skill level that is necessary before
> > being allowed to operate a vehicle on the public highways is
> > unnecessary?
>
> I'm not sure which part of my writing you're confused about.  But to hit
> the high points:
>
> 1) I think it's laughable for motorists to criticize my biking, as if
> they know more than I do.  Like, for example, the woman in the
> right-turn-only-lane to my right, when I was in the center
> straight-ahead lane because I was, naturally, going straight head.  She
> said something about me thinking I'm a car.  Yep, she's probably never
> bothered to learn fact #1 about riding on the road - but she felt
> confident enough to criticize, despite total ignorance.
>
> 2) Some motorists are very quick to complain that cyclists never obey
> the rules of the road.  They complain especially when posting comments
> on the internet.  I imagine that includes those motorists I watch run
> the stop sign in front of my house - i.e roughly 50% of those passing
> by.  While I wish many cyclists did better (like the salmon rider I
> encountered this evening), I also think those who drive in
> glass-windowed vehicles shouldn't throw stones.
>
> 3) Do I think safe vehicle design is necessary?  Yes, up to a point.
> Especially if the type of vehicle in question kills tens of thousands of
> Americans each year.  More benign vehicles need much less testing.  This
> should be logically obvious.
>
> 4) I think those operating deadly vehicles on the roads need a higher
> skill level than what is now required in the U.S.  Those operating much
> more benign vehicles need not be held to the same requirements.  And I
> repeat: This should be logically obvious.
>
> 5) To carry the logic one step further (so to speak):  I don't think
> shoes need safety tests, and I don't think pedestrians should have to
> pass any test at all before using the public ways.  In fact, I'd prefer
> that motorists be trained to stay out of their way.
>
> --
> - Frank Krygowski

Pedestrians should be required to make a dash across the street in 5
seconds or less. Drivers should pass a test to make sure the horn is
loud enough, say 120 decibels. A train horn is better. The pedestrian
must learn that drivers can block the sidewalk because they are
important people on business. Nobody, but nobody, should interrupt the
frantic pace of life.

We cyclists are pedestrians on wheels, so we must learn the rules.

TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher

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May 23, 2012, 11:37:41 AM5/23/12
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On May 22, 12:52 pm, "i2i" <boo...@netzero.net> wrote:
> "TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher" <nolionnoprob...@yahoo.com>
> wrote in messagenews:a512fba7-d423-4a2a...@a1g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
> On May 22, 12:33 pm, "i2i" <boo...@netzero.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > "TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher" <nolionnoprob...@yahoo.com>
> > wrote in
> > messagenews:9abb9335-690a-4591...@v9g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
> > On May 20, 6:56 pm, liaM <cud...@mindless.com> wrote:
>
> > > Le 5/20/2012 8:18 PM, TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher a
> > > écrit
> > > :
>
> > > > We've got dozens of them, but none are connected. You may think it
> > > > would get you through and find out that you are stuck with no
> > > > particular place to go, a sidewalk perhaps if you are lucky. They are
> > > > the product of "evil idiocy," to quote someone who was describing
> > > > driver behavior. This type of idiocy though is the design of the
> > > > system --the engineers to be exact-- not the idiots having a mind of
> > > > their own.
>
> > > > We got three types of bike facilities around here:
>
> > > > 1- bike lanes that don't connect,
>
> > > > 2- share the lane with the idiotic drivers,
>
> > > > 3- ride on sidewalks and bump into pedestrians.
>
> > > > They launched a full blown bike sharing program without proper
> > > > facilities. That's evil idiocy.
>
> > > > But that's only my humble opinion.
>
> > > > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > > >http://webspawner.com/users/BANANAREVOLUTION
>
> > > personally I prefer environments that keep people on their toes,
> > > alive and responding to events as they occur, like that of riding a bike
> > > in Paris where all the above applies. And not just biking; in life
> > > too :)
>
> > "Welcome to the jungle." It's a deadly game though. Something like
> > Russian roulette. I saw the movie 'El Topo' the other day where they
> > play this game in church --to prove "miracles"-- until one kid shoots
> > himself. Yes, kids can ride bikes in traffic too and die because they
> > got no place. So the metaphor is perfect.
>
> > Europeans are less inclined to road rage too. At least their traffic
> > is more organized and have cameras everywhere. Different game.
>
> > ----------------------------------------------------
>
> > you could try riding your
> > bike on the autobahn
> >Wait, I'm certified to walk and ride a bike in America. That's an
> >international permit, right?
>
> you need a permit to walk
> in america now ? damn, i just
> can't keep up anymore.

You need to be a member of AARP --seniors make up 90% of pedestrians--
and the rest is just homeless and idiots.

Well, you don't find pedestrians in America so this is a moot point.

TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher

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May 23, 2012, 1:12:06 PM5/23/12
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On May 23, 11:35 am, "TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher"
Sorry, I don't want to put anyone down that doesn't deserve it.

I used to be one of those idiots walking on American sidewalks. Half
the time the sidewalks weren't even there, but I walked miles and
miles just for the hell of it --to keep it balanced. Some ancestral
reason told me that humans are made to move not to drive. It was the
roots of my now legendary Wisdom of the Jungle.

But I was stupid, even more so than those drivers who take a car to
the grocery store. The difference is that I was a harmless idiot while
they were harmful idiots. Then the MIGHTY BICYCLE enlightened my path.
It's not an easy path but certainly not idiotic. The bicycle means a
beast of burden as well as a comfortable ride through the mean streets
of America. Then I started struggling with it and the Wisdom of the
Jungle dawned on me. The lion hardly gives you space to breathe and
you must be looking over your shoulder all the time, but you must be
OUT OF THE CAGE no matter what. It's a philosophy that today makes me
take out my chihuahua --Tequila-- with me. He makes himself
comfortable in a basket but he's not missing out the action. Anyway he
likes it better than walking.

A new era is dawning where the stupidity of the car and walking is
left behind. The cargo bike is here...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_uTrSARmyvI/T5Whxk6edVI/AAAAAAAAADQ/9sd4IhcY3ZM/s1600/halsted.jpg

Communities are revived and SUVs are junked.

Paul Hovnanian P.E.

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May 24, 2012, 9:19:24 AM5/24/12
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TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher wrote:

> We've got dozens of them, but none are connected. You may think it
> would get you through and find out that you are stuck with no
> particular place to go, a sidewalk perhaps if you are lucky. They are
> the product of "evil idiocy," to quote someone who was describing
> driver behavior. This type of idiocy though is the design of the
> system --the engineers to be exact-- not the idiots having a mind of
> their own.

Its because you cyclists have allowed yourselves to become pawns in anti-car
politics. The car-haters are shutting down bike lanes and pushing you folks
out into general traffic lanes. The idea is that you make good speed bumps
to calm traffic flows.

--
Paul Hovnanian mailto:Pa...@Hovnanian.com
------------------------------------------------------------------
The world is coming to an end ... SAVE YOUR BUFFERS!!!

Message has been deleted

TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher

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May 24, 2012, 12:40:19 PM5/24/12
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On May 24, 9:19 am, "Paul Hovnanian P.E." <p...@hovnanian.com> wrote:
> TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher wrote:
>
> > We've got dozens of them, but none are connected. You may think it
> > would get you through and find out that you are stuck with no
> > particular place to go, a sidewalk perhaps if you are lucky. They are
> > the product of "evil idiocy," to quote someone who was describing
> > driver behavior. This type of idiocy though is the design of the
> > system --the engineers to be exact-- not the idiots having a mind of
> > their own.
>
> Its because you cyclists have allowed yourselves to become pawns in anti-car
> politics. The car-haters are shutting down bike lanes and pushing you folks
> out into general traffic lanes. The idea is that you make good speed bumps
> to calm traffic flows.
>
> --
> Paul Hovnanian     mailto:P...@Hovnanian.com
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> The world is coming to an end ... SAVE YOUR BUFFERS!!!

Not true, it's raining sharrows on us... ;)

On May 23, 8:00 pm, m...@home.spamsucks.ca (Király) wrote:
> TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher <comandante.ban...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > 2- share the lane with the idiotic drivers,
>
> > 3- ride on sidewalks and bump into pedestrians.
>
> Go with #2. It isn't nearly as dangerous as many people believe. If
> you're on the sidewalk you have to cross a road every block, which puts
> one in conflict with turning cars. This situation results in greater
> likelihood of being hit by a car than had you stayed on the road in the
> first place.

Then why put all those sharrows? Maybe they are trying to fix the
problem that drivers don't know we should be on the road. Or pretend
not to know --which proves they are idiots.

http://flyingpigeon-la.com/2012/05/why-it-should-be-raining-sharrows/

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