Was riding in to work this morning a little later than usual (yeah, its Monday). Passed by Mountain School and saw some students on bicycles waiting at the crosswalk to cross as pedestrians. They crossed safely (looked both ways, checked to see that traffic stopped) into the schoolyard and had helmets fitted properly.
Crossing Urban, two youngsters crossed Urban safely on their little scooters, headed towards Mountain School. Both were wearing helmets mounted correctly.
Got to our High School and was waiting at the light at the Mobil station. A H.S. student rode down the sidewalk and crossed in the crosswalk as he chatted with someone on the cell phone. No helmet. He then proceeded to ride down the wrong side of the street, in a little gap between cars and the curb, and then cut diagonally through traffic to get to the school parking lot.
Wonder what happens between grade school and high school to gain all those bad habits.....
6 comments:
Remember, the lines are our friends. Obey the rules at all times. This will go on your permanent record.
What you perceive as bad habits another may perceive as exuberance. If he chooses to ride that way, it's his choice. I'm sure he would didn't write a blog entry criticizing the older guy in spandex and a plastic hat having no fun on his way to work.
Well, I perceive it as recklessness or folly if you narrowly miss hitting someone. Certainly his choice. As is choosing to get cited. But you are right--the standards of citizenship are pretty low.
I suggest saving the exuberance for the open road. That is, the road in areas not festooned with kids walking across the road on their way to school.
No fun on my way to work? Gimmie a break. If I wanted to have "no fun" on my way to work, I'd have driven my car. With the windows rolled up and the A/C on, of course. Signpost sprints can be a lot of fun, and plenty of opportunities for them around here. Or, just watching the world go by.
I know you were having fun on the way to work. The statement was an attempt to capture the reckless youth's possible mindset.
I guess I have a live and let live approach to people who ride bikes. I don't think my way is the only proper way to enjoy a good bike ride. I'm more than willing to let others ride the wrong way, disregard traffic control devices, and endanger themselves. I've been known to jump ramps, ride with abandon, and stop at stop signs when no one else was around. It just depends on how I want to ride at any given moment.
Any thoughts on the bicylists death in the Jemez this weekend? Only saw sparse details in the paper, our prayers are with his family.
What happened in the Jemez?
This is all I know:
http://www.abqjournal.com/riorancho/260730west08-26-08.htm
Bicyclist Killed in Charity Ride
A bicycle ride for a good cause ended tragically Sunday when an Albuquerque rider died after losing control of his bike and striking his head on a rock in the Jemez Mountains, according to authorities. (Tuesday, August 26, 2008)
I don't have a subscription to the Albuquerque Journal, so that's all I could see online.
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