PB Letter 5/14 from Bruce Sutor

[Steve Corner]

Bruce wrote an excellent letter to the editor regarding the rumble strips and how they affect the ability to safely ride on county roads. Unfortunately the overwhelming response has been to slam this as preposterous and accuse bicyclist as, among other things 'spandex wearing crybabies who should just stick to the bike trails.' This one guy "Buckley" (a scholarly genius I might add) is trying to defend Bruce and the biking community of Rochester but there is little strength in just one voice.

If you get a chance, maybe a few words to counter the onslaught of anti-bikers would be nice. You will need to register with the PB; the link to Bruce's letter is here:

www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=23&a=452410#comment

[Guest]

It’s worth a shot, I suppose, but I gave up on the PB comments some time ago. They are usually dominated by anti-gubbmint, illiterate tea-baggers. Maybe it’s changed, but any “discussion” would degenerate pretty fast and usually end up blaming Al Gore for everything. Probably the best argument would be to find out how much the dubious grooving costs and go at it from the wasting tax dollars point of view and get Sarah Palin to be pro-cyclist. Someone’s going to get killed. Either a cyclist going 30mph downhill will hit the strips and lose control. Or, the sleepy driver, drunk driver, texting driver will hit the strips, and over-correct into oncoming traffic. In Michigan and Wisconsin many of the roads have rumble strips on the center line to prevent the much more lethal head on collision. Who cares if the drunk drives into the ditch. My $.02.

[Charly tri]

Nice, way to play into stereotypes.

So the fact that my political leanings are more to the right then the left does that mean I am betraying my beliefs by riding a bike? I better burn my NRA card, rip up my sign Palin picture, peel off my vote Bush bumper sticker, and remove my I heart oil companies tattoo.

There are ignorant people everywhere, the Internet just happens to be a good place for them to get heard. I consider these people terrorists and a good reason to invade Iran.

[Steve Corner]

There is a semblance of reason on the comments now, especially toward the end.

Thanks to all, especially 'Teakettle' and 'Lochrider'.

On the contentious remarks on this thread, I would say that this issue has something for both sides. For those on the Left, there is the obvious 'cyclist rights' and protecting the ability to travel in an environmentally friendly and healthful manner. For the Right, this issue can be seen as a metaphor for overzealous government 'programs' that protect the lowest common denominator at the expense of the law abiding public, often with the unintended consequence of helping no one (except the friendly, well connected, construction company). ;)

[Charly Tri]

Again, playing into stereotypes.

All liberals are pro environment, health, and cycling. It is assumed conservatives are all against these.

All conservatives are pro small government, and giving money to big companies. Again, liberals are all against these.

So then we launch into name calling if we don't agree with the other's view (see comments on the PB and from the "guest"). Oh well.

Thanks for those who commented intelligently and thanks to Bruce for the letter.

[Mike Williams]

Hey, I love the rumbles. i'm training for Paris-Roubaix next year so I'm on then all the time. ;D

[lochrider]

The cobbles are worse on the bike and on the body. ;-)