Bike This

          No matter how many notes I scribble, no matter how many reminders I make, no matter how many directions I go, I seem to miss some of the points that I thought were important enough to try to remember. All of that has led me to this point. Are you ready?

          Let me just dive right in head first and say that I’m all for being active, getting exercise, picking your fat ass off of the couch and being mobile. Participaction is what they used to call it where I come from, with Joanne, what’s her face and Hal, not memorable enough to remember. But the point was all about being active and having fun doing it.

          Fast forward to the now reality and take a look at things like cycling, or bicycling, as some call it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for being active and staying in shape. I even own a bicycle. It’s all a good thing, but...

          Some of you cyclists seem to have forgotten the general rules of the road. No I’m not out on a mission to chastise all people that choose to ride their bike for exercise, but only the militant few that think that the road was made for them. I would like to remind those folks of some forgotten legalities.

          Stop signs matter. Almost sounds like a potential protest rally. If you want to be considered a vehicle, you need to obey the rules. No matter how goofy you think you look, arm signals help. Drivers discern where you are going, duh. You may be well aware of that fact, but the people behind you are not. Do you actually drive your car in that frame of mind? If so, please send me pictures of all of the dents in your vehicle that you have blamed on other people.

          You have an inherent responsibility to NOT be a hazard to traffic. Yes you heard me right. The cars need to be cars and travel along the road. They can easily avoid you when they can, and you can all go about your day.

          When you choose to ride your bike on a major thoroughfare, that is lane reduced due to construction, while you're avoiding the water drainage receptacles (weaving around the sewers), you really don’t seem to have the right to complain about the lack of space you are given, dumbass.

          Just because you can, does not necessarily mean that you should.