Seriously, anon, I hope you get on a nice road bicycle someday soon and realize how much fun you’re missing out on!

Welcome to the July 14, 2008 edition of All Things Eco.
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One of the reasons I love Dorchester is the diversity of it, which means more than just different races but also different age groups, income levels, occupations, political outlooks and so on. Part of this is due to the huge geographic area Dot takes up but I also think it’s ingrained in its identity.

You are right that your safety is #1. I tell my friends who are new to cycling that they have to protect themselves because if they don’t then why should the drivers (aside from not wanting to kill or hurt someone)?

I read a blog post many months ago about a biker who was with a group of cyclists and one of the cyclists inadvertently pissed off a driver. The biker caught up to the motorist and apologized for his group and explained to the driver that no one was trying to make the driver angry. I thought it was a great idea and I try to mimic him as much as possible and stay as calm as possible.

We’re all human and this city is known for flaring tempers but remaining calm is the best strategy. The breeding comment is funny, have you ever seen the movie Idiocracy? It’s basically a “comedy” set in the future where all the smart people have died off and those less endowed in mental capacity have populated the whole world. It was a sad future so perhaps there should be some prerequisite for breeding.

I’m seeing A LOT more bicyclists on the road so your hope might be fulfilled. Rising gas prices, however, are only a temporary deterrent to driving. Deval Patrick introduced a energy bill promoting green energies today so we might just yet develop a clean and cheap car. Still, I think a bicycle is a better form of transportation and if it was promoted better we’d see less drivers wasting money sitting in traffic.

As a cyclist, I am now learning that my #1 priority is staying alive, which is no easy feat…not chasing down cars on my bike to yell at them when they cut me off. I am with you 100% about riding in the middle of the street when you feel endangered. No one will hit you from the back, unless they are drunk, or insane…but they will inadvertenly try to squeeze by you on the left and force you into the curb or car. I also agree with you that it is waaay to easy for people to obtain licenses in this state. Also breed. Shouldnt there be a test for that too? oh and own cellphones-should have to pass a test. I’m not sure what the guidelines are like in other states (I would think that MA would be one of the toughest) so perhaps it’s just too easy everywhere. My hope is that gas prices will keep skyrocketing and all the millions of people who commute less than 5 miles, and drive to the store that is 3 blocks away will start riding bikes. What will it take? 8.00 a gallon? 12.00? 30.00????

It’s really sad that the drivers in stories like yours and mine act tough while they have several tons of steel protecting them. Perhaps everyone should be forced to ride a bicycle before being allowed to drive a car in this state?

I understand that bicyclists’ actions can annoy some drivers but in the grand scheme I don’t understand how drivers can react the way the PT cruiser guy did. There is just no excuse for acting that way.

Honestly, I’ve experienced more issues with drivers in the North End area, but when and where these types of incidents happen is a random distribution anyway. Aside from this one incident all my biking experiences in Dorchester have been positive.

It’s my belief that licenses are simply too easy to obtain here in Massachusetts and as a result people believe they are entitled to drive a certain way and see bicyclists and pedestrians as mere obstacles in their race to get to their destination.

Though there was a racist remark in my incident, I don’t think this is a racist issue as much as a driver competence issue. Getting a license and keeping it should be much, much tougher. It would reduce the amount of drivers on the road and help ensure that the drivers who are on the road are capable of maneuvering their vehicles.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again. Props to you too for “urban” cycling. Aside from these rare but frustrating incidents it’s been a blast so far and a heck of a lot more fun than sitting in a box on four wheels!