Bicycles, as lightweight objects which can’t be permanently affixed to anything, are an easy target for thieves. Even when they are locked, a determined thief will manage to break them free.
It’s a combination of determination on the part of the thief and the limitations of the lock. No bicycle lock is foolproof. With enough time and effort a thief can break or cut the lock and make off with the bike. Continue reading ….
There are some really strange stories on the Internet about cyclists’ experiences. And given that they are posted on the Internet, one has to wonder about their veracity.
It isn’t always easy to know who wrote the story, although sometimes the author’s identity, if it can be determined in the real world, lends the story credence. We can assume that if the person wrote about his own experience, there is some truth to it, even if it is only his recollection and interpretation of the events which ensued. Continue reading ….
Yet again, the passage of a 3 foot passing law, designed to protect cyclists as drivers pass them, sparked a debate. This time, the debate ensued in San Diego, California.
The argument was over sharing the road, not surprising given that, with the passage of the law, drivers would now be required to give cyclists more room when passing then they had before. In the eyes of some drivers, this was unfair because they thought that cyclists caused more accidents than drivers and therefore resented having to change their driving habits to increase the safety of other road users. Continue reading ….
Sometimes it seems as if advertising people will do anything to sell us their wares. Many of the things they do are outrageous, and if the rest of us did these things, we would be admonished for being unethical or worse.
In advertising, shocking images are used to draw the viewer’s attention to the ad, with the intent of making him or her want to buy the product. Such methods are meant to make the product memorable. Continue reading ….
What have our societies become when local authorities are forced to apply for grants to build sidewalks for children? While this is a good thing, as it allows the children to engage in healthier options for traveling to school, it speaks volumes about where our priorities are.
For instance, a recent article on a local news site for Ithaca, New York was entitled “Village to Get $300K for Sidewalks.” Apparently, the village of Dryden applied for a grant under New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan to provide $70 million in state funding for bicycle and pedestrian sidewalk projects.
Complaints about bad bicycle behavior almost always get a response from the police. Compare this to the many times pedestrians, bicyclists or motorists complain about bad driving; it rarely results in any action at all.
In many places, Boston included, drivers are expected to drive erratically. Dangerous driving is the norm and rarely do the police attempt to do anything about it. Continue reading ….
Sometimes riding a bicycle in the Boston area can make one feel as if bicyclists are not welcome. It’s not just the drivers who create this environment, but the inconsistency in bicycle infrastructure.
In some areas, there are decent bike lanes or at least the roads are marked with symbols which remind all road users that cyclists have a right to use the road. Such areas are easier to navigate in that a bicycle’s place is established and fighting unsuspecting cars is less of an issue. Continue reading ….
Many things about cars are taken for granted. They have been part of our everyday lives for so many years, we can no longer imagine life without them.
We see cars as making transportation easier. We see them as providing freedom and personal mobility. We see them as status symbols and signs of success. All of these messages permeate the fabric of our culture and are perpetuated as memes through advertising and word of mouth.
As well known as these themes are it can’t be overlooked that cars have caused more subtle changes in the lives of certain populations. These changes are contrary to how we generally see cars, that is, as a sign of progress and modernity. Continue reading ….
I never thought I would see the day when any official would seriously contemplate legally allowing bicyclists to share the sidewalks with pedestrians, particularly in urban areas. Generally, although not in all cases, bicycles are prohibited on sidewalks in business districts and residential areas where there is a lot of foot traffic. The idea is to protect pedestrians against irresponsible cyclists.
It is always a good idea to protect pedestrians. Their interests should come before cyclists’, whenever sidewalk use is the issue. Sidewalks were invented to protect pedestrians from motor vehicle traffic. Continue reading ….
Driving in and around cities has got to be one of the most stressful and frustrating experiences anyone can have. Drivers can’t let their guard down for even one minute for fear that a wayward car will lull them into an accident. After a while, dealing with this situation becomes tedious and fatigue sets in.
Upon purchasing my first car, I expected a life of leisure. I never thought that driving a car could lead to fatigue. After all, aren’t cars supposed to make our lives easier? Aren’t they supposed to provide convenience and comfort?
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