Hello Ross

 -=> Quoting Ross Sauer to Peter Coggon <=-

 RS> The Hummer is just a big status symbol on wheels.

   I had a 4x4, but then I lived and worked in Central Ontario
and also did service work on a radio site at a ski hill and
the 4x4 was okay..until I saw the 6 wheeled military version.
That made and still makes the Hummer...well no match.
 
 RS> I live in Sheboygan, WI.
 RS> Very few bike lanes or paths, the only real bike path is the Old Plank
 RS> Road trail, it runs from Erie and Kohler Memorial Drvie, out all the
 RS> way to Plymouth, about 25 miles.

    OK... at least you do have somewhere to cycle.  We have it here
in tourist country ,roads designated as such, and doesn't matter
who you are or what you drive..on the road you are all included
in the Highway Traffic Act.... I think most places look at it this
way, but then the problem is the drivers of whom I agree...I know
it as a cyclist too, and also looking thru the windshield....the
cyclist...some are too young to be even on the road exercising their
rights as a vehicle on the road....BUT failing to stop at stop signs
lights, and crosswalks  
and others.
 
 RS> That's just it.
 RS> Far too often drivers of cars are oblivious to bicycles and for that
 RS> matter, scooters and motorcycles.

  Here the size of the tires decides if it is legal to ride on the
sidewalk or go forced by law to the road... whether or not they 
have studied or are aware of the rules governing being on the road
in that area.

   I have no idea why in Holland, France or England, that the cyclist
and motorized vehicle are at peace?    Why in North America and I
have cycled in Ohio and Indiana and Ontario  that it is the opposite
and as you have stated.    Perhaps education needed.

 RS> And I've seen my share of those on bicycles ignoring traffic laws,
 RS> running red lights, etc, mostly teenage kids.

    The problem is the kids are never told about this in school, or
given intruction or where the main responsiblity is the parents.
see what you say, but also sat at the intersection one day and
did a survey.... 99% of motorized vehicles never stopped for the
stop sign.   100% cyclists same thing.     Adults and kids.

So Ross the kids, those teens grow to adults and have cars, and
you as a cyclist get their bad dangerous manners as they use
their vehicles to demonstrate what they have learnt in life.

Now if a vehicle hits a cyclist, and the drivers don't seem to
be aware of this,  they are usually charged, and if the cyclist
is killed, they are really up the creek.    Cyclists on the 
other hand, are if they hit a car, hurt again, and well it 
usually goes to court, and one cyclist in the city, recently
grabbed inside a car for the steering wheel and well he was
killed as the driver hit the gas pedal...resulting in his death.
 
I can only agree with American's that deal with this issue that
we keep educating people, and maybe one day we might be like
that in Europe where cyclist and vehicle can share the road.

They have created lanes..good idea.,,as vehicles and cyclists
both have differing speeds, etc....

Keep cycling there Ross....   I will I hope get my new bike
my wife wants me to, and then I can cycle again on the road
we have that goes beside the lake...barring ot course the
motorized idiots who haven't got a clue about the Highway
Traffic Act here....

"Keep on Peddling..."
                        Pete
 



... Taglines: Steal all you want... we'll make more....
___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 [NR]
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v3.0pr5