Killer Bikes

I'm sure this debate comes up in a lot of forums but "surfed" across it today and felt compelled to post it up. A New York Post editorial about dangerous cyclists: Dangerous Bike Riders Run Wild with Impunity in NYC. I thought the author was making a salient point, but he quickly falls into a poo-slinging tirade. It's unfortunate that this editorial could have served as an important start point for debate about regulations for cyclists but he fails to keep up the mature dialogue. When people start accusing cyclists of being Lance Armstrong wanna-be's, I get pretty turned off. I think it's legitimate that cycling is under-regulated and people don't learn how to properly ride a bicycle at an early age. There is no education in schools. You can buy a bike as inexpensive as $60 at Target and there's no telling how you'll use it--on a sidewalk, on a road, in a parking lot. Many people on bikes have no clue that they should be behaving like cars and at the same time have the capacity to act like pedestrians. It makes cyclists a lot less predictable to the uninitiated driver. People who want to cover all their bases before getting on the road do some serious internet searching about local cycling laws, visit websites that offer commuting tips and road safety, and go out of their way to meet up with fellow cyclists to learn how to be better cyclists. Otherwise, bikes on sidewalks are a common occurrence, and it almost seems like the obvious choice when compared to intimidating streets where cars unquestionably rule. Almost everyone whom I've talked to are surprised to hear that biking on the road is the safer and more responsible choice. It's all about education.