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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thanks E O for your words.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> I’m still trying to figure
out if I did the right thing last night. I don’t think so. I was
riding on a Sanders road in Medford when an SUV came very quickly around the
corner without any regard to if someone might be there or not, swore at me to
get the f out of his way. I noticed he turned and parked on <st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Scott St</st1:address></st1:Street> just a
block away so I called Medford Police. A cruiser showed up. I watched the
whole thing as some guy came out shook the officers hand; obviously they were
buddies. Next the kid who was driving the SUV comes out and the officer has
some words with him. The kid has a sorta smirk on his face. Turns out the kid
was 17 years old and the officer said he spoke to the kid and that these things
work against the kid –whatever that means. The thing is I got the
distict feeling that this cop just saw me as a nuisance and the Kid thought the
whole thing was pretty funny. Here’s a kid who has this attitude driving
a brand new 200 plus horsepower tank and his parents and other adults see it as
perfectly fine. I think I may have just wasted my time by calling the cops. The
cop obviously know the adults in the house but told me they were not the kids
parents. The cop then said to me “well no one was hurt”. As you
say stay calm and the odds ARE stacked against us. Awful but true. In retrospect,
I should have just rode on and ignored it. I will always do that now.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>B<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
bostoncriticalmass-bounces@bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces@bostoncriticalmass.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>E O Altman<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sunday, May 25, 2008 1:10 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> list@bostoncriticalmass.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [*BCM*] UAV accosts biker
in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Brookline</st1:place></st1:City></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>I do
not condone bad or aggressive driving, by UAVs (urban assault vehicles) or
pedalcyclists.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>When will we, as a
community of cyclists, get together on this?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>It stands to reason
that every time a cyclist pulls a BS move in traffic or aggresses a vehicular
driver or a pedestrian that that cyclist is creating a wave of negativity that
may well take down another hapless, law-abiding, careful, courteous cyclist
later on.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>I empathize with the
cyclist in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Brookline</st1:place></st1:City>.
There are plenty of drivers out there who navigate carelessly, even with
hostility in their hearts, around cyclists. Quell the urge to hit
back. Stay calm and be vigilant. The odds ARE stacked against us
cyclists in more ways than you may realize.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>Some years ago I was
hit by a car. I was hurt pretty badly: coma, back and neck injuries,
wrecked bike and bike clothing (thousands of dollars). Even so, several
lawyers told me that it would not be worth my while to seek compensation for my
losses, that it would cost me thousands (investigative costs) on the front end,
to try to get damages from the offending driver. By the time a
trial could be scheduled, I would walk into the courtroom, tall,
healthy-looking, etc. (even though I still have to take pain-killers and have
adjustments seven years after the accident). The jury, most of whom would
be licensed drivers, would quite likely not see it my way. All the
defense needed was a single juror who had an issue with cyclists. Every
day drivers are put out by cyclists in this city. Ultimately, we lose;
and, when we do, we lose big time!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>According to </span></font><st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font color="#292526" face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-family:"Bookman Old Style";color:#292526'>National Highway</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><font
color="#292526" face="Bookman Old Style"><span style='font-family:"Bookman Old Style";
color:#292526'> Traffic Safety Administration,</span></font><font
face="Bookman Old Style"><span style='font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color="#292526" face=Arial><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:#292526'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 color="#292526" face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#292526'>In 2002, 662 pedalcyclists were killed
and an additional 48,000 were</span></font></b></strong><font color="#292526"><span
style='color:#292526'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 color="#292526" face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#292526'>injured in traffic crashes. </span></font></b></strong><strong><b><font
size=5 color="#292526" face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;
color:#292526'> [Forty-eight thousand!]</span></font></b></strong><font
color="#292526"><span style='color:#292526'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 color="#292526" face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;color:#292526'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 color="#292526" face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#292526'>The number of pedalcyclist fatalities in
2002 was 8 percent lower than the</span></font></b></strong><font
color="#292526"><span style='color:#292526'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 color="#292526" face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#292526'>723 fatalities reported in 1992. The
highest number of pedalcyclist fatalities</span></font></b></strong><font
color="#292526"><span style='color:#292526'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 color="#292526" face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#292526'>ever recorded in the Fatality Analysis
Reporting System (<st1:place w:st="on">FARS</st1:place>) was 1,003</span></font></b></strong><font
color="#292526"><span style='color:#292526'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 color="#292526" face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#292526'>in 1975.</span></font></b></strong><font
color="#292526"><span style='color:#292526'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 color="#292526" face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;color:#292526'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 color="#292526" face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";color:#292526'>These
numbers are staggering. Even so, statistics seem to be improving for
pedalcyclists. There are many reasons for this, e.g.: there are more
pedalcyclists (when they get behind the wheel of a car they tend to empathize
with those who are biking and exercise greater care); cities are working to
improve bicycle safety with improved street designs and signs, safety awareness
programs and laws; there are more biking clubs, with ever increasing
memberships, dedicated to getting people out on bicycles and riding safely.</span></font><font
color="#292526"><span style='color:#292526'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>Critical Mass Boston
riders really need to re-evaluate why they come together to ride through <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:City>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>The aggressors who
ride in Critical Mass think they are cool. They are not doing any of us
any favors. When the safe cyclist ignors the hooligan on a
bicycle, he is contributing to growing hostilities directed at
cyclists. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>Thi year' May Day, I
rode (for 2 blocks, before I pulled up - I did not want to be part of the
negative energy being created) with the <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Boston
Critical Mass</st1:PersonName> Ride. My vocal requests for fairness, to
share the road, were met with sophomoric sneers. On their way to protest
the "unfair treatment of immigrants", to sing about peace and gentle
diplomacy, to celebrate the working man (and woman) who is the foundation of
America, the May Day Critical Mass cyclists went out to attack
Boston. Even though it was a small crowd of bikers, they still managed
to harass drivers, enter and block intersections when they did not have the
right of way, whoop and holler and disrupt the peace.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>Do not get drawn into
the mob fray. Be a role model of safe, courteous, law-abiding
cycling. If you are going to ride in traffic, ride
accordingly: refrain from dawdling and disrupting the flow of
traffic, signal your intentions and move accordingly, obey traffic rules, yield
to pedestrians (do not weave through those walking when they have the right of way
and do not block crosswalks), smile, have fun and pay attention.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>I know we can make <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:City> a more
bike-friendly town. Every time a cyclist pulls a BS move in traffic or
aggresses a vehicular driver or a pedestrian we make our town less
friendly and our streets more dangerous for all. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>e o altman<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Bookman Old Style"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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