[*BCM*] MassBike To Blame For Biker Harassment

[Thomas John Vitolo]

> =v= This response sidesteps the issue of harassment, which is
> much worse than the "did something against the law" infraction.

At the end of the day, its not clear that you can argue that a stepped up police
enforcement on bicycle infractions is selective enforcement, since cyclists are
made up of the entire spectrum of society -- spanning race, gender, age, wealth,
etc.  Sure, there are probably more men riding bikes than women, but I'd bet
that there are more miles driven by men than women too.
 

And the libertarian slant the initial poster cited is bogus.  When you're on the
road -- a public space -- your actions affect others.  Choosing to not have a
headlight doesn't just endanger you.  It endangers every driver who swerves to
not hit you at the last minute, and every person around you who might get hit by
the driver.

So, this whole "if he hits me, its my fault" line of thinking, while correct,
isn't complete.  It may also include "if he hits somebody else, its my fault." 
And *thats* why the law is appropriate.  Your action (or lack thereof) may
negatively impact a third party in a substansive and avoidable manner.

And finally, as every good libertarian knows, what a private organization
chooses to do with their money is none of your concern.  So, in the spirit of
libertarianism, I suggest you start your own organization and raise money so
that you can fight the "evils" of Mass Bike.

The lesson that libertarians often forget: You are not entitled to act selfishly
in public space.


Thomas John Vitolo
Ph D Systems Engineering Candidate,
Boston University

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