Clemsongirl posted about the traffic in Atlanta on her way home the other night and mentioned that some cyclists were on the road and she was frustrated and just wanted to get home and put on some comfy pjs! Many of you guys, my fellow bloggy friends, made some rather harsh comments about cyclists. My husband came across Clemsongirl's post and was floored by the comments. He was saying, "And several of your 'followers' were on there going off!" So, I ask, why the hate ladies? Where is the love?
Here is my love. This is my husband after a 120 miles bike race called the Triple Bypass--held each year in the mountains of Colorado. His Bike = His Sanity
My husband is an avid cyclist (to say the very least) and this Plaid family knows all about cycling rules, regulations, their rights to ride just like everyone else on the road, etc. He even has some plaid-ish type socks (ok, argyle) courtesy of his wife. Although I do understand that it can be frustrating when you come across cyclists on the road (or anything for that matter--children, dogs, runners, etc.) but somebody's life is worth more than the 15 seconds you are delayed in traffic.
Someone even commented that cyclists should stay on trails or get their own bike lanes. Well, trust me when I tell you this--cyclists wish they could have their own lanes. My husband, as well as his friends, all ride in the bike lanes when there are some there. But there aren't many there. I, for one, would feel SOOOOOOOO much better if there were more bike lanes. I know my husband is taking his life into his own hands when he rides, and I pray practically every time he goes out. (He rides like 4-5 times a week--20 to 30 miles each time.) But that would mean paying more taxes, and nobody wants to that. So, the states put into place laws that give cyclists the same right to the roads as a motorized vehicle.
Please think about this the next time you see a cyclist. This is probably someone's husband/wife, dad/mom, son/daughter, etc. It is my husband, riding off his stress from work, his family ( me! HA), etc, all the while getting exercise and staying healthy for his family and himself.
This is my son, future cyclist. He has had a 'big boy bicycle' since he turned 2. He also has a helmet. We are teaching him the rules of the road. Education means knowledge and power and we want the next generation to have it all! This is one way of doing that.
Please think about this the next time you see a cyclist. Give them a thumbs up and move over a little or slow down for a few minutes! It will make you feel better and them, too! Now I'm going to hug my cyclists--big and little! Why don't you do the same?
10 comments:
My best friend's husband frequently bikes the 20+ miles to work in Jacksonville. I'm amazed and proud of him and he's never had anybody make negative remarks to him.
It's really interesting hearing the different sides on this subject. (I had just read Clemson Girl's post) I think it is great that you posted your thoughts. I will think about what you wrote the next time I start getting impatient behind a cyclist. Heavens knows they get impatient with us drivers.
I always wonder why there are no bicycle lanes here where you can ride a bike 11 1/2 months out of 12, and they are everywhere in places like Colorado, Minnesota, etc. I think people appreciate the good weather so much that they will do anything to be outside. Even in Lincoln, we could ride from one end of town to the other without getting on the road, and that was 25 years ago.
Since I live by the mountain here, there are cyclists everywhere. We don't have a lot of trails, but it's getting better.
We do have a big problem here with cyclists riding across the entire road rather than single file. Maybe that's what they were doing when Clemsongirl was behind them.
I do wish there were more bicycle lanes. My daughter rides, but more on trails. She lives in Atlanta so I certainly hope she is careful if she does ever ride on the street. I think she tries to avoid it because it is not safe. By the way - you future cyclist is P-R-E-C-I-O-U-S!!!
I will think about your post every time I get too impatient from now on. My patience level has definitely increased since having Little Man since he loves to see those big packs of bikers.
My biggest complaint is that we do have other options here but it seems that many people do not use them. The town we live in has a comprehensive bicycle plan that connects main roads with bicycle lanes to greenway trails to serve both the recreational bicyclist and the commuter. We also have a 22-mile multi-use trail that runs directly through our area that is perfect for the recreational biker - even a large group. I apologize if I offended you or your husband. I have never and would not ever do anything rude or dangerous. Just irritated at the situation.
And by the way, thank you for your encouraging comment about my closet! I need all the encouragement I can get! :)
Great post. My uncle and my cousin participated in that bike ride is Colorado. They also rode in one that crossed Texas during the heat of summer...
Your little guy is gonna be a cutie...just like his daddy.
Have a great day, and before I go...
It's Great To Be A Florida Gator!
Very well put. You know we agree with you as my husband rides (wishes he could ride more) also. I can tell the other readers that while on vacation in a beach town (where there were no bike paths, a car did not yield the right of way and hit my husband on the bike. It threw him off the bike, and thank God he landed in the grass. He was not hurt, nor his bike, so it was a very slow hit, but nonetheless... HE WAS HIT BY A CAR. The car was damaged but more importantly the driver was basically having a nervous breakdown. the driver was relieved when my husband was OK but was still very shook up. OK... Get to the point already.... IT CAN HAPPEN..... YIELD TO THE CYCLIST.... TAKE THE EXTRA FEW SECONDS...
Hello, since your family is into biking, I thought you mike like our online store for outdoor gear. Even though Fort Collins, CO has wide bike lanes, my wife is an avid user of bike lights.Also, your kids may enjoy these fun free PDFs about poison ivy and hiking.
Great post. A couple of years ago, I witnessed a biker who got hit and was killed-it was horrible and ever since then, we are VERY careful of cyclists. That is great that your husband has found a way to stay physically active that he's passionate about. It's too bad that there aren't more bicycle lanes.
Awww, look at that little future Lance A. What a cutie! (and the hubby too! -- lol!)
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