Comments on: Swerve and Protect: Boston’s Bicycle Bible http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:47 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Sean http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31662 Sean Tue, 15 May 2007 17:43:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31662 A lazy, sloppy excuse to charge for bike ads. The Biking on the Defensive article was nothing more than a here's-what-you-can-buy piece. One of the recommended items: GPS. An article with the sub-head "Urban Bikers Need to be Careful, Prepared, and Paranoid" was basically an interview of a single former bike-messenger. I commute in and out of Boston each day, and it is dangerous. (Don't tell my wife.) But, there is a much more nuanced story to tell than the fluff between the ads in the Phoenix supplement. A lazy, sloppy excuse to charge for bike ads.

The Biking on the Defensive article was nothing more than a here's-what-you-can-buy piece. One of the recommended items: GPS.

An article with the sub-head "Urban Bikers Need to be Careful, Prepared, and Paranoid" was basically an interview of a single former bike-messenger.

I commute in and out of Boston each day, and it is dangerous. (Don't tell my wife.) But, there is a much more nuanced story to tell than the fluff between the ads in the Phoenix supplement.

]]> By: serial catowner http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31600 serial catowner Fri, 11 May 2007 20:54:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31600 Mountain and urban bikes may be easier to ride than the old ten-speeds, but it's a fact- you can easily be going 25-30 mph and if something goes wrong, you're flying through the air- until you hit something. Once I lost my attention and took some railroad tracks at a diagonal. One shoulder was lame for several years and my helmet had a big gouge in it. Now, I always try to pay attention. Mountain and urban bikes may be easier to ride than the old ten-speeds, but it's a fact- you can easily be going 25-30 mph and if something goes wrong, you're flying through the air- until you hit something.

Once I lost my attention and took some railroad tracks at a diagonal. One shoulder was lame for several years and my helmet had a big gouge in it.

Now, I always try to pay attention.

]]> By: Dan Shugrue http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31594 Dan Shugrue Fri, 11 May 2007 19:01:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31594 Oh man, is Aaron STILL complaining about that guy that waved him into oncoming traffic? For the last time Napper: we don't like Indian fans here! If you'd simply done as I advised and worn a BoSox cap, you would've had a much easier time of it... Oh man, is Aaron STILL complaining about that guy that waved him into oncoming traffic? For the last time Napper: we don't like Indian fans here! If you'd simply done as I advised and worn a BoSox cap, you would've had a much easier time of it...

]]> By: Aaron Naparstek http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31589 Aaron Naparstek Fri, 11 May 2007 17:40:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31589 http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_10838.aspx It was a crime caught on tape by some unsuspecting students taking video for a class project - a driver getting out of his car to allegedly assault a cyclist who prevented him from turning at a yellow light. The kids caught the entire thing as it unfolded at Queen and Bay on Tuesday afternoon and turned their evidence over to police. They've now made an arrest and the suspect is almost as surprising as the footage itself - he's a cop. Constable Darius Tierman, a 21-year-veteran of the Toronto Force and a recipient of a teamwork commendation last June, has been on leave since October 2004. He turned himself in to 52 Division on Wednesday morning and made a brief court appearance at Old City Hall later in the afternoon. http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_10838.aspx

It was a crime caught on tape by some unsuspecting students taking video for a class project - a driver getting out of his car to allegedly assault a cyclist who prevented him from turning at a yellow light. The kids caught the entire thing as it unfolded at Queen and Bay on Tuesday afternoon and turned their evidence over to police. They've now made an arrest and the suspect is almost as surprising as the footage itself - he's a cop.

Constable Darius Tierman, a 21-year-veteran of the Toronto Force and a recipient of a teamwork commendation last June, has been on leave since October 2004. He turned himself in to 52 Division on Wednesday morning and made a brief court appearance at Old City Hall later in the afternoon.

]]> By: Jason Varone http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31588 Jason Varone Fri, 11 May 2007 17:38:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31588 Ed, here you go: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070509.wcyclistassault0509/BNStory/National/home Ed, here you go:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070509.wcyclistassault0509/BNStory/National/home

]]> By: Ed Ravin http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31587 Ed Ravin Fri, 11 May 2007 17:35:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31587 Jason - you said the Toronto assault was by an off-duty cop, but the news story you linked to did not say anything about the perp other than he drove away after attacking the bicyclist. Please elaborate? Jason - you said the Toronto assault was by an off-duty cop, but the news story you linked to did not say anything about the perp other than he drove away after attacking the bicyclist. Please elaborate?

]]> By: Aaron Naparstek http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31586 Aaron Naparstek Fri, 11 May 2007 17:33:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31586 <p><p>Chris is definitely in Sacramento.</p><p>BTW, I lived in Boston briefly and had the same experience: I felt that Boston drivers were the absolute worst that I'd ever experienced. And it wasn't just because they were all sociopathic. To the contrary -- some of them were often overly polite in a way that was not at all helpful. Way more than in NYC, where the rule of the road often seems to be everyone minds their own business, on Boston streets I would often have drivers stop and wave to me to allow me to cross the street ahead of them. But they'd be waving me into on-coming traffic or something dangerous like that. I'd just sort of shrug my shoulders and stay put and then they'd get weirdly offended by that. I don't know. Maybe it's just me...<br /> </p></p> <p>Chris is definitely in Sacramento.</p><p>BTW, I lived in Boston briefly and had the same experience: I felt that Boston drivers were the absolute worst that I'd ever experienced. And it wasn't just because they were all sociopathic. To the contrary -- some of them were often overly polite in a way that was not at all helpful. Way more than in NYC, where the rule of the road often seems to be everyone minds their own business, on Boston streets I would often have drivers stop and wave to me to allow me to cross the street ahead of them. But they'd be waving me into on-coming traffic or something dangerous like that. I'd just sort of shrug my shoulders and stay put and then they'd get weirdly offended by that. I don't know. Maybe it's just me...<br /> </p>

]]> By: Nona http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31583 Nona Fri, 11 May 2007 17:04:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31583 Chris is in Sacramento. Chris is in Sacramento.

]]> By: Chris in Sacramento http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31581 Chris in Sacramento Fri, 11 May 2007 16:41:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31581 Cycling philosophy is a personal thing, and context (urban, rural, etc) can determine the best approach. But I could never cycle believing or acting as if "...everyone is trying to kill you..." I always assume that any single motorist along my route will act in reasonably law-abiding manner, but I prepare myself-- by scanning and otherwise being aware of my surroundings and leaving myself an "out"--in case he or she doesn't. Thus, fear and paranoia are not present within me, only a comfortable level of vigilance, and pleasure is maximized. Why bicycle if you don't enjoy it? This attitude has served me well for fifteen years of collision-free urban bicycling. Cycling philosophy is a personal thing, and context (urban, rural, etc) can determine the best approach. But I could never cycle believing or acting as if "...everyone is trying to kill you..." I always assume that any single motorist along my route will act in reasonably law-abiding manner, but I prepare myself-- by scanning and otherwise being aware of my surroundings and leaving myself an "out"--in case he or she doesn't. Thus, fear and paranoia are not present within me, only a comfortable level of vigilance, and pleasure is maximized. Why bicycle if you don't enjoy it? This attitude has served me well for fifteen years of collision-free urban bicycling.

]]> By: Gizler http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31576 Gizler Fri, 11 May 2007 15:47:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31576 I don't know guys. Fears are unhelpful . . when they're unfounded. I applaud anyone who is willing to sacrifice his or her life for more sensible transportation, but I think it should be an informed decision. I don't know guys. Fears are unhelpful . . when they're unfounded. I applaud anyone who is willing to sacrifice his or her life for more sensible transportation, but I think it should be an informed decision.

]]> By: Lars http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31575 Lars Fri, 11 May 2007 15:36:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31575 I can't believe they put a Star Wars Stormtrooper next to a bicycle. Oh WAIT, that's supposed to be a cyclist!!! I can't believe they put a Star Wars Stormtrooper next to a bicycle. Oh WAIT, that's supposed to be a cyclist!!!

]]> By: L http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/11/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/comment-page-1/#comment-31574 L Fri, 11 May 2007 15:18:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/05/10/swerve-and-protect-bostons-bicycle-bible/#comment-31574 I lived and biked or walked for transportation in Cambridge for a year, and Boston drivers are the absolute most reckless, careless, homicidal drivers I have ever encountered, so perhaps that explains the Phoenix's tone. That said, I agree that they shouldn't put the fear of death in people. Sure, Mass Ave can be frightening, but the more bicyclists and pedestrians who are out there, the better it will become. I lived and biked or walked for transportation in Cambridge for a year, and Boston drivers are the absolute most reckless, careless, homicidal drivers I have ever encountered, so perhaps that explains the Phoenix's tone. That said, I agree that they shouldn't put the fear of death in people. Sure, Mass Ave can be frightening, but the more bicyclists and pedestrians who are out there, the better it will become.

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