Cyclists are not one of us...

A growing trend amongst cyclist seems to be to have dual persona's. On the road they try to dominate traffic lanes, run wild among the SUVs, trucks and cars and play dodge with motorcyclists at intersections. It's not good enough that the City of Vancouver saw fit to provide them with on street cycle paths and places to park their bicycles they now want to take over the side walks, cross walks and about every square inch of available tarmac when riding two to three abreast on the road.

I applaud the dedication to fitness and the environment that these individuals express by riding their cycles. But, of course there is always a but, could cyclist make up their minds. Do you want to be road going worriers that stick to the rules of the road (well some times) or will you be wheeled pedestrians, using cross walks as a means to avoid traffic signals, jumping the side walk to turn right or do an illegal left turn... Either way some of you, not all of you, are really pissing a lot of motorists off. Splitting lanes, cutting in front of waiting vehicles at intersections just makes you objects of scorn not envy. http://www.transportation.gc.ca/cnt/cntpg.aspx?l=ENG&pg=24

I'm amazed that there aren't more accident involving cyclists. I'm all for cycling but can those individuals that choose this method of transport please respect others using the roads. Common sense, one would think, would prevail if you just realized that like motorcyclists, cyclist are not wrapped in sheet metal. Even a slight bump can bring you down to disastrous effect.

So all I ask is a little common sense. Try not to put you and others at risk by splitting lanes, frequently changing your riding from street to side walk, using the right turn lane to go straight ahead when sitting at a junction etc. And most of all drop the attitude, you know whom I'm talking too, just drop it will ya. Pissing other motorist off is arragant and dangerous and quite frankly all that smugness wrapped up in licra ain't going to protect your sorry ass in an accident....and for crying out loud wear your helmets! http://www.bikecommuters.com/2007/03/29/becoming-a-bike-commuter-2/

Great BMW Motorrad promo vid for the adventurous rider

I love this vid, kinda reminiscent of 'The Long Way Round' but much, much shorter. Music is cool and fits well with the location. Have fun watching.

http://www.bmw-motorrad.ca/En/flash_content/index.html

Anti Speed Blitz launched

An article that appeared in the Vancouver Province (04/30/08) page 4, mentions the Month Long Crack Down aimed at Motorcyclists, mainly for speeding, dangerous driving etc. Read the article http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/index.html.
Always love to see out of context statistics and generalities by the media, makes for a fun read.
What I'd love to see is a ban in BC on hand held cellular devises while people are driving. Negotiating around swerving cars and trucks while distracted motorist juggle phone calls, text messages and drinking their coffee, while paying no attention to other road users, seems to be of no concern to any one except those they eventually hit. Maybe recognising and puting a stop to these poor and dangerous driving habits would be a good start to saving injury to and even the lives of those not wrapped in sheet metal . Other provinces have recognised the problem and banned the use while driving using these devises. Insurance companies have even provided statistics that show that insurance claims have increased where the 'Cell' has been the culprit. ICBC http://www.icbc.com/road_safety/motorcycle_safety_links.asp love to spear head inititives to induce better and safer driving but would seem to be rather quiete when it comes to this issue. If you believe that cell phone use while driving is puting you at risk I urge you to contact your local MP and ask what they are doing to have the use of these hand held devices banned .