Please be careful with this.person in Bear Branch

Ha ha ha.  I missed the bike nuts the first time around.  4951

@ForeCPA90: And THEY BOTH missed the real reason people were upset, and it’s not because she was cutting in line, like she thinks. She sort of lightly skimmed over it to tell the back story as to why she does this. Everyone has time management concerns, which isn’t unique to her. It’s the child, in a side car, out there and vulnerable, in the street with heavy rush-hour traffic, as she darts in and around cars. People were more concerned for the child and not whether she cut in line. Drivers might see her, her flag and the ball sack on her bike, but does a driver see the child, low to the ground behind her? 4951

This thread is absolutely ridiculous - only people in Texas would act this way - wish more parents were biking their kids around vs riding in their cars, maybe there would be less fat people in Texas.   I speak for myself as well - I need to get on a bike myself.   This is how people in the Netherlands cart their kids around.  4951

beandawgs: They should be wearing helmets. 4951

beandawgs: You totally missed the point of what upset people.  It has nothing to do with reducing the amount of bikers or time people spend biking.  It had to do with 1) not darting around and between cars in traffic and 2) her not using the green belt to get to Bear Branch, which you CAN do, without taking Tree Lane.  That's what bothered people.  I applaud anyone using their legs to get somewhere rather than one foot.  Just be smart about it; don't be a dumb***.  4951

beandawgs: Do they hve the same traffic issues, big trucks and SUVs that might not be able to see the child near the ground? 4951

ZMAN: True, until they get hit by a car, have medical bills, decide they COULD care less, and start the sad gofundme on KDC. 4951

beandawgs:
Totally agree BUT we are NOT in The Netherlands or Germany ( I wish!!!) we are in Texas which is not bike/ commuter friendly so we cyclists need to not only know the laws but also be very defensive in how we ride. I have had too many close calls with cars while riding safely. I have had food and drinks thrown at me while riding and obeying all traffic laws. No way would I purposely try to rise the ire of a driver. I defended her at first but after reading that this was more than a woman on a bike in traffic I could no longer defend her actions. Seriously you just can't hop on a bike and ride as you wish. Before I even moved down here I had read the laws governing cyclists so I'd know the differences between Ohio and Texas

Now if we were in Europe this discussion wouldn't take place. lol I got cussed at by a German for stopping at a crosswalk while riding in Germany. Cyclists and pedestrians have the right away at unprotected crossings. It was instinct for me to stop for clear traffic. I only caught a few words 😱
4951

donnatella:
Yes they do- well not big SUVs because the roads are very tiny- take one lane out of our usual residential road and cut off 20%. Traffic can be very heavy in the cities. There are tons of pedestrians and cyclists that commute - but still many cars.
The difference is many roads ( at least in Germany) have bike lanes- some of them dedicated. An even bigger thing is that EVERYONE ( drivers, cyclists, pedestrians) follow the laws and obey traffic signals. There is no jaywalking or rolling through stop signs. If a car hits a cyclist then the driver automatically gets sited. I felt very safe riding there.
That won't happen here which is why we cyclists need to ride safely and defensively and try to be diplomats 4951

You flipping rock!!!  I would love to hang with you. 4951

mutton: Laws about riding a bike on a sidewalk are confusing at best. Some areas it is ok, but others not. 4951

@Jpgurl: Wish all cyclists had that mindset. Some have that road warrior attitude. That’s all fine and great but in a vehicle vs bike accident, that attitude can get you killed. 4951

@Jpgurl: I went to college in Austria - distinctly remember jaywalking once and never again - got honked at , cursed, etc - they very much follow rules of the road.  I also lived in California - there pedestrians very much have right of way didn't stop as much as I do here to cross in a crosswalk.  4951