BikeSafeSanAntonio

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Some drivers speak out…

We found this in the Express-News & wanted to share it.  Two random comments from drivers in San Antonio about cyclists:

October 25, 2009 – Want rights? Obey law 
The Oct. 14 E-N reported cyclists are again asking what can be done so all road users can travel safely.The night before, I was driving west on Commerce Street at Alamo. The light turned red. I and two motorists on my left stopped. Along came five bike riders who slowed down, then ran the red light.This can be seen any night of the week, anywhere in the city. They flout the law and then demand respect. Why do they think they are above the law?

Manny Gonzalez

 

 

November 2, 2009 – Cyclists at fault too 
An Oct. 25 letter by Manny Gonzales expressed a viewpoint many motorists have concerning cyclists in this city. However, the letter only mentioned how cyclists run red lights.Cyclists also ride two or three abreast taking up sometimes an entire lane and blocking vehicles behind them. Downtown, they frequently ride through intersections and run red lights with no regard to traffic around them. It’s only a matter of time before one finds himself on the asphalt, dead or in serious condition. Where are the police? Do they observe but ignore these kids?Cyclists must obey the same traffic laws as motorists. Stop publishing comments about how awful we motorists are without also publishing how arrogant and dangerous these two-wheelers are as they ride recklessly on streets and highways.

 Thomas Carlucci

 

This is important information.  It should send a message to all cyclists out there.  As cyclists, we need to obey the law & be courteous & safe while on the road.  For those of us cyclists that do these things already, we need to speak with cyclists that we see or know with these poor practices to ensure we all do this better.

Mr. Gonzalez, please know that not all cyclists feel that they are above the law.  Mr. Carlucci, the majority of cyclists don’t feel all motorists are awful.  There is good & bad on both sides, unfortunately. 

We at BikeSafe San Antonio want you to know  that we hear what you are saying and will continue to work towards educating cyclists about proper riding technique.  It is our hope that we can assist in raising awareness, not only with drivers, but with cyclists themselves, to increase safety on the road for all.

Something we would like drivers to consider is while there are several cyclists that ride in the above mentioned manner, please keep in mind there are many, many cyclists that do it properly.  It is frustrating, as well as dangerous,  as a driver to have to deal with reckless cyclists.  But please don’t let the poor behavior of a few lessen the importance of the many.


November 2, 2009 - Posted by bikesafesanantonioadmin | Uncategorized | , , ,

2 Comments »

  1. When a cyclist breaks a law and he gets hurt or killed it’s his own fault and the motorists goes home that night.

    When a motorists fails to obay the law and hits a cyclist and is hurt or killed the motorists may be at fault but he goes home that night.

    We as cyclists pay for our own errors, mistakes and yes our “arrogant and dangerous” actions with our health or our lives. Should we pay for the inatentiveness or disrespect of motorists with our lives also?

    We as cyclists we should obay the law! Unless we are going back to vigilante mentality the motorists should pitty the dumb cyclist for breaking the law and thus risking his life. If you see a cyclist failing to obay the law and he gets hurt you have the moral obligation to act as a witness for the inocent motorist. On the other hand if the motorist is at fault do you feel the same obligation to the cyclist?

    Comment by Jeff Bike | December 7, 2009 | Reply

  2. Jeff – The points you bring up are excellent. We need to all act on our moral obligation to to take the time to witness if we observe a collision, whether for the innocent motoist or the innocent cyclist.

    It’s intersting that in Dutch law, in a auto/bike collision the driver is assumed at fault, but has the opportunity for rebuttal. What that means is that the driver will initially be deemed at fault, but has an opportunity to prove the cyclist was at fault. We like that. They base it off the belief that the auto can do more harm, so carries a greater burden of responsibility. But it leaves a lot of room for the cyclist to be proven to have been at fault, as well.

    Bottom line – cyclists need to try and build a healthy relationship with drivers & drivers need to do the same. People can be forced to follow laws, but if they care about you they are much more likely to act caring towards you.

    We had hoped this article would show that we are all imperfect and both sides need to assume responsibility in making the situation better. We can’t wait on the state or city to do it all for us.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    Comment by bikesafesanantonioadmin | December 7, 2009 | Reply


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