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[robert fine]

Let's not get sidetracked by misunderstandings, I am just asking for help to
understand and making suggestions for discussion. 

My specific question was is in regards to the reaction by someone who has no
clue as to this riders mental or physical abilities.

It appears ( from across the street ) to me that this person is going
against traffic flow , down a sidewalk at an unsafe speed and telling, not
asking people to move. I would gather that most people get an uncomfortable
impression. I never suggested penalizing him, restricting him or taking away
his rights to travel as he pleases. Knowing what I do know now about him, I
would consider him a handicapped, wheelchair bound person who obviously has
the right to use the sidewalk. (Although I do think I do think he can be
encouraged to show more consideration). I suppose if nobody has been hurt in
the many years he has been riding, then what I've pointed out is really  a
none issue. If that's the case, then it's either a) a  miracle, b) he really
does get his warning across very effectively, or c) we are not talking about
the same person!

 

But it's irrelevant that I am making excuses for my seemingly insensitive
remarks because my point again is how the casual observer, that being the
average person on the street sees this activity and the actions and behavior
of this "bicyclist". I could go on and make an analogy to how the casual
observer views CM activities but that's obviously a red herring. In my own
participation in CM activities, I can say that it's usually only one or two
over exuberant riders who can spoil the whole show for the "Masses", and the
same probably goes for the CM email discussion. 

 

Nevertheless, I seem to have hit a nerve here, not too difficult on this
list. I've inadvertently confirmed what I believe to be a common thread
between the disabled and many cyclists (myself included). We really need to
be in the streets, it's our right, our choice and it's necessary to our
physical and mental health!

 

Rob (countrybob) Fine

 

P.S. My suggestions (from experience) for future productive discourse on
this list is to:

1)      Not make assumptions on writers motives or disposition based on very
little information

2)      Consider how many people are going to take your position seriously
if all you can do is talk foul

3)      Writers should make a sidenote that they are making a satirical
comment so as it's not taken verbatim





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