Cyclists are MUCH more likely to be bums or deadbeats than are motorists. Most motorists have FAR more invested in their mode of transportation than do cyclists. Motorists, on the average, also pay far higher taxes, therefore are entitled to a privileged position on the roads.
>> "His Highness the TibetanM>> > Some of these "freedom" advocates are elitist riders who go
>> > over 20mph
>> > and want to include mundane practical cyclists in the same
>> > category.
>>
>> Yes, I think that's a problem -- a significant proportion of
>> vocal bike
>> advocates I've encountered seem to be fairly serious bicyclists. >> I
>> guess that's understandable (they care more than most people), >> but it's
>> inevitably going to result in a somewhat skewed perspective.
>>
>> The main beneficiaries of a bike-friendly environment, on the
>> other
>> hand, are going to be casual users.
>>
>> -Miles
>
> Thank you, thank you. They think we should brave the roads the
> way
> they are... ;)
>
> I rather think we need other strategies:
>
> 1- TAMING TRAFFIC (it's not safe for drivers, how can it safe for > cyclists?)
>
> 2- GIVE VALUE TO CYCLISTS (yes, we are often treated like
> monkeys)
>
> 3- BUILD BIKE FACILITIES (sometimes bike lanes, sometimes bike
> paths,
> sometimes shared lanes)
>
> We don't want to separate bike and cars by 3' and forget it... We > need
> bike facilities or cyclists TAKE THE LANE. Two people certainly > MUST
> take the lane.
>