Inflammatory Language

I am posting and would like to comment on a follow-up on my recent opinion piece that was published in the Sun-Herald.

Few Coast streets are built for bikes and cars to share

While many of us believe that bicycles are toys for children, we realize that in other parts of the world they are a major means of transportation. Still, cyclists should show courtesy and consideration for those driving larger vehicles. This includes getting over to the side of the road when a backup of traffic builds up.

Among the bike riders I have known is a very nice man who is active in city and cultural organizations. Pleasant, with a wonderful wife. Considerate in many ways. For years I had to drive to work on a narrow, curvy, two-lane road - the same road on which this man chose to ride in the center of the traffic lane. I'll admit that he did wear a helmet and, if I recall correctly, some sort of fluorescent vest, had a rearview mirror, not sure about headlight and taillight. He considered himself a responsible bike rider. We considered him a menace. Drivers exercised care to avoid colliding with him, but at the expense of their mental health.

This man never considered that many of us backed up a block or two behind him were losing money to a ticking time clock or missing appointments. He insisted that riding in the middle of the lane was his right and refused to pull over in one of the places where there was room to do so and let traffic get by. It didn't matter how early or late you left home; there was no way to predict whether you would be treated to the temper-raising, slow traffic he created.

I wish that more roads were like the Cowan-Lorraine racetrack, where at least there is a separate lane for bicycles. Most Coast towns already are handicapped by streets with no sidewalks, no bike lanes, no spaces for curb parking. At least we should not be tortured by bike riders.

Eric Speas' Nov. 7 Forum on bicycle laws was interesting. I was aware of the require- ment [sic] for using hand signals, but a picture flashed through my mind of a bike rider sticking out his left arm for a left turn and having it instantly amputated by a truck.

Name and Location Withheld

This is a prime example of how opponents (for lack of a better term) of bicyclist's rights use inflammatory language to instill fear to make their argument. For example,

He considered himself a responsible bike rider. We considered him a menace. Drivers exercised care to avoid colliding with him, but at the expense of their mental health.

Now, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines menace as:

1: a show of intention to inflict harm : threat
2 a: one that represents a threat : danger b: a person who causes annoyance

Now, I am sure what the writer meant to say was that s/he view the bicyclist as an annoyance rather than a threat. However, instead of saying that, s/he used the word "menace", which has an entirely different connotation. When most people use the word "menace", it usually goes something like, "He was a danger and a menace to society." And when most people hear the word "menace", that is the image that comes to mind: a threat and a danger to others. I hardly think that the bicyclist in question was a real threat, unless s/he brandished his/her bicycle like a club.

The second half of that quote is also quite interesting. Apparently, drivers have mental breakdowns whenever they get behind or have to pass a bicyclist. Road rage is one thing, but to say that a single bicyclist (or even a group of bicyclists) riding down the road in a safe, legal manner causes undue mental anguish to drivers is almost laughable. Personally, I get more annoyed and angered at other motorists who disregard the traffic laws and drive in a dangerous way than I do whenever I'm behind a bicyclist.

The next quote I'd like to comment on is this:

This man never considered that many of us backed up a block or two behind him were losing money to a ticking time clock or missing appointments.

Okay, so traffic was backed up behind the bicyclist. Like that never happens with construction equipment, horses, tractors, Sunday drivers, etc. Exactly how much time and money are we talking here? I wager that the most time lost would have been about two or three minutes. If a person is earning $15/hour, that comes out to 25¢/minute. Therefore, the most money that could have been lost was 75¢. Oh, and if you've missed an appointment by three minutes, perhaps you should have left sooner. Whenever I have an appointment, I always try to get there no less than 15 minutes, just in case something should happen along the way. And yet, to read this, you would think that the entire economic crisis that we are currently in is all due to one lowly bicyclist.

Next,

Most Coast towns already are handicapped by streets with no sidewalks, no bike lanes, no spaces for curb parking. At least we should not be tortured by bike riders.

Now, bicyclists are not only causing mental anguish, but also physical pain as well. Torture? So now the bicyclist is waterboarding drivers and driving bamboo slivers under their nails? I may be annoyed with other motorists and their insane, stupid, reckless, dangerous and/or illegal behaviors, but not once would I say that I have ever been tortured by such behavior.

The last sentence is my favorite:

I was aware of the require- ment [sic] for using hand signals, but a picture flashed through my mind of a bike rider sticking out his left arm for a left turn and having it instantly amputated by a truck.

I have never, ever, in my entire life, had my arm (or any other appendage) amputated, much less by a truck or other vehicle. The writer assumes (or wants us to believe) that bicyclists do not look over their shoulders; that somehow our neck muscles lock up so that we can only look ahead. Never mind the fact that there several instances where motorists have changed lanes without looking, often times cutting other drivers off and possibly causing an accident. If anything, bicyclist are more likely to look behind them because the biggest fear bicyclists have is getting hit from behind, even though statistics say that this type of accident is far less common than being hit from the front or side.

It is obvious that the person who wrote this letter has strong, emotional feelings about the issue. It is also worthy to note the choice of words and the use of language. This is a good example of the kind of criticism and resistance that bicyclists as a whole face from motorists. Therefore, it is worth to effort to recognize and defend against such attacks using not emotionally charge language, but facts, statistics, and well-reasoned, rationale arguments. When emotions run high, that is when bad things are most likely to happen.

My Opinion Piece

As per a request, I am posting my Opinion piece that was recently published in the Sun-Herald.

What Mississippi law says about bicycles
by Eric Speas

Under the heading, "Get insurance, then rights," a Sound Off caller said, "If bicycle riders think they have the same rights as the automobiles, they need to have their turn signals, their lights and a bicycle tag. They also need insurance, then they can have the right of way of the highway."

I would like to address these arguments individually, so as to clarify any misunderstandings.

First, bicycles do have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers. The Mississippi Code Section 63-3-207 states:

"Every person riding a bicycle or an animal or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon a highway shall have all of the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle under this chapter, except those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application."

That right is guaranteed by the law. The exception is for controlled-access facilities, such as interstate highways.

As to turn signals, bicyclists, as well as motorcyclists and automobile drivers, can use hand signals to indicate intention to turn and stop. Section 63-3-709 states:

"The signals required in this article shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by a signal lamp or signal device of a type approved by the department. When a vehicle is so constructed or loaded that a hand and arm signal would not be visible both to the front and rear of such vehicle, then said signals must be given by such a lamp or device."

Sec. 63-3-711 goes on to clarify:

"All signals given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows:

"Left turn - hand and are extended horizontally.

"Right turn - hand and arm extended upward or moved with a sweeping motion from the rear to the front.

"Stop or decrease speed - hand and arm extended downward."

In regards to the use of lights, the Mississippi Code Section 63-7-13 states:

"Every bicycle shall be equipped with a lighted white lamp on the front thereof visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of at least five hundred feet in front of such bicycle and shall also be equipped with a reflex mirror reflector or lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible under like conditions from a distance of at least 500 feet to the rear of such bicycle."

However, this is applicable only "during the period from sunset to sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible any person on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet ahead." (Section. 63-7-11)

There is no requirement in Mississippi, nor in any other state, that requires bicycles to have tags. The idea, while attractive to some, has been tried in the past and proved to be both ineffective and inefficient. In 1935, the city of Toronto required bicycles to be licensed and to display the tag; that measure was repealed in 1956.

There is no requirement under Mississippi law requiring bicyclists to purchase insurance. In fact, most, if not all, insurance companies do not even have such policies available.

I would also like to point out Mississippi Code, Section 63-3-1112:

"Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter or the provisions of any local ordinance, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or any person propelling a human-powered vehicle and shall give an audible signal when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any obviously confused, incapacitated or intoxicated person."

As a bicyclist, I adhere to the regulations, as do many other bicyclists. That does not mean that there are those who do not, just as there are motorists who do not adhere to all traffic laws.

I am well aware of the vulnerable position I am in every time I ride. However, I do everything within my power to mitigate the risks. I ride with headlights, taillights and a helmet, not because it is required by law, but rather to reduce my risks of accidents and injury. I avoid using heavily trafficked streets, such as Pass Road and U.S. 90, whenever possible.

I have witnessed other bicyclists riding in dangerous and unlawful ways and I do not like it any more than you do. It reflects poorly on all bicyclists.

Bicycling is a safe, healthy, relaxing and enjoyable means of not only exercise, but transportation. I bicycle to work two or three times a week, not to save money on gas, but because I enjoy it and the health benefits that come with it. I would no sooner give up my rights to ride my bicycle than I would give up my right to free speech or ask others to do the same.