[SDCBC] OC Register Fwd: Mr. Dillow comment letter to all

[Jim Baross]

I dashed off the following comment.

Gordon Dillow states the obvious. Big fast vehicles can cause severe 
damage and death to bicyclists. However his conclusion that the 
potential victims, bicyclists should therefore be segregated from use 
of some public roadways is flawed. Roads are for the use of people 
using legal modes of travel, not just for people using motor 
vehicles. Check the law and the history of the development of 
publicly funded roads. Property and other generally charged taxes pay 
for roads too, NOT just taxes on motor vehicle use. And most 
bicyclists own cars and pay taxes too. How about better controlling 
the real danger, illegal, distracted, bullying behavior, and speeding 
motor vehicle operation? The ability for people to choose to properly 
use a legal travel mode, walking or bicycling, has been incrementally 
and brutally beaten back by our desire to travel faster, with more 
prestige and comfort by car. Pedestrians and bicyclists get bullied 
from use of the public right of way THAT WE ALL PAY FOR by a variety 
of forces. Mostly by the point of view that faster is better so get 
out of my way. The Way is to be shared. Pedestrians and bicyclists 
got here and the right to travel first and we are not about to give 
Way quietly to car using bullies! Unless, as we are all to often, 
threatened with physical mayhem by some car drivers and some traffic 
operation designs that make non-motorized travel scary. Separated 
Bike Paths relegat people to back of the bus type facilities that 
require slower less efficient travel, do not connect to most 
destinations, and do not meet State minimums for transportation 
facilities. You wish to protect me from car users by banning me from 
using public roads. No. Jim Baross Bicycling Instructor League of 
American Bicyclists

Jim Baross - May 31, 2007 09:53:31 AM



>From: "Kashima" <kashima at cox.net>
>To:
>Subject: Mr. Dillow comment letter to all
>Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 07:39:58 -0700
>
>[]
>          Important message from Orange County Wheelmen
>
>                                             Share the Road Committee
>
>On May 30, 2007 The Register columnist Mr. GL Dillow published a 
>very damaging editorial regarding cyclists and motor vehicles 
>sharing the road.  Please read his comments at the following link:
>
><http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/columns/article_1711917.php>http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/columns/article_1711917.php
>
>At the bottom of the article is Mr. Dillow's email address.  I 
>encourage all cyclists to write Mr. Dillow and/or the editor and let 
>them know that Mr. Dillow's comments are senseless and very 
>destructive to the cycling community.
>
>California has laws that govern motor vehicle and cyclist/pedestrian 
>use on all roadways.  Multi use roads are in place for all to enjoy, 
>not just motorists as Mr. Dillow suggests.  Mr. Dillow needs to be 
>educated on the California Vehicle Codes before he publicly comments 
>on such strong issues.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Michelle Kashima
>Orange County Wheelmen
>Share the Road Committee Chair
><http://www.sharetheroadsaveslives.com/>http://www.sharetheroadsaveslives.com
>http://www.ocw.org
>
>
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