{"id":209148708,"date":"2011-08-18T16:51:48","date_gmt":"2011-08-18T16:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=209148708"},"modified":"2011-08-18T16:51:48","modified_gmt":"2011-08-18T16:51:48","slug":"drivers-are-dangerous-disrespectful-of-bikers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=209148708","title":{"rendered":"Drivers are dangerous, disrespectful of bikers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Letter to the Editor in the Gazette:
\nDesignated cycling lanes in Poolesville? Really? It\u2019s obvious by your statement you\u2019ve never ridden a bike into or out of Poolesville. Other than on White\u2019s Ferry Road for a short distance, or most of Montgomery County, there are very few designated bike lanes. Mr. Klein, why don\u2019t you come for a ride with me? Then you\u2019ll understand what it\u2019s like to be beeped at by a 4000 pound weapon, grossly exceeding the speed limit, as you\u2019re trying to hug the white line and keep a good pace, and make it home to hug your wife and kids. Much of the \u201cdesignated\u201d bike lanes throughout Montgomery County we ride are filled with debris and trash that our tax dollars are supposed to keep clean. Before you judge why we\u2019re riding in the road or just to the left of the white line, walk a little in our shoes.
\nPay road tax? For what? Why don\u2019t we meet over a beer or coffee and you can explain why I should pay a road tax. I own two vehicles and pay tax on them in Montgomery County and can\u2019t get a budget balanced. Your premise is without forethought and lacks credibility as there is no way a legitimate worthwhile tax could be generated from your \u201call cyclists\u201d from D.C. reasoning. Instead of thinking of new ways to generate revenue, why don\u2019t you get after those people responsible for making the bike lanes and roads safer for all (DOT, sheriff, governor).
\nBy the way, I\u2019m an Army veteran who rides in Poolesville every weekend. Along with my cycling friends, we drop a significant amount of money at the Chevron gas station, Bob\u2019s Bikes, and the local gym kitty corner from the Chevron. My group is riding as we ramp up to ride from Pittsburgh back to Gaithersburg in October to raise money for wounded Soldiers, Airmen, Seamen, and Marines. I\u2019ve been hit by a car in Poolesville with no investigation done by the police (even given suspect description, partial plate, make and model of car). Tell your diesel truck friends in Poolesville to pass us without blasting diesel smoke in our faces. Maryland law allows for riders to ride two abreast providing they\u2019re not impeding traffic. Likewise, drivers are to pass bicyclists with 3 feet of separation. So you\u2019ve never flipped someone off who passed you too close or blew through a stop sign or beeped at you?
\nAnd blasting through stop signs? You\u2019re worried about cyclists on bikes not stopping? Do they impede your driving ability that much or are you watching us from your porch? On Sunday, while sitting at the Poolesville Chevron, cooling off and resting, I counted 30 vehicles who didn\u2019t stop fully for the stop sign at that intersection going in every direction. One was a huge Ford with a horse trailer. He just rolled through. So a cyclist on a bike is more dangerous than a 5000-pound truck with a 2000-pound trailer? Hello pot, my name\u2019s kettle. Nice to meet you.
\nKevin Bookman, Chantilly, Va.
\n
\n.
\nhttps:\/\/www.gazette.net\/article\/20110817\/OPINION\/708179755\/-1\/drivers-are-dangerous-disrespectful-of-bikers&template=gazette<\/a>oldId.20110818165148319<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Letter to the Editor in the Gazette: Designated cycling lanes in Poolesville? Really? It\u2019s obvious by your statement you\u2019ve never ridden a bike into or out of Poolesville. Other than on White\u2019s Ferry Road for a short distance, or most of Montgomery County, there are very few designated bike lanes. Mr. Klein, why don\u2019t you … <\/p>\n

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