It is obvious that Ron Grossman never rides a bicycle.
In addition to the health and pollution benefits Grossman notes in his recent column, bicycles also have the advantages of small size and high maneuverability. They have a disadvantage in that it is far more difficult to stop and restart on a bike than in a car or on foot. Many of us leverage the former to minimize the latter.
Grossman would know that if he ever rode a bicycle.
Grossman tells a story of a biker failing to come to a complete stop within his acceptable timeline, and wonders what would have happened if he had not jumped out of the way. I can tell him: The rider would have maneuvered around him based on his prior velocity, or, if it were necessary, she would have stopped. Bicycles can stop quickly.
Grossman would know that if he ever rode a bicycle.
Instead, Grossman disrupted the flow, by assuming that the cyclist intended, against all logic, to hurl herself into harm’s way with no regard to the consequences. Cyclists do not have death wishes. We are very aware of our surroundings, and we prefer when pedestrians and cars take their right-of-way. The problems come when pedestrians — and vehicles — do the “should I or shouldn’t I?” dance. Rather than play the “you-go-no-you-go” game, many of us just choose to roll our eyes at the indecision of other traffic and continue on our way. If you take your right of way, I will yield. If you don’t, I am not going to hand you an engraved invitation.
Grossman would understand if he ever rode a bicycle.
I am a cyclist, and a frequent pedestrian, and an occasional driver. On foot or in my car, I have no trouble with bikes. Perhaps instead of banning bicycles for a day, the city should require anyone who wants to complain about bikes to actually ride one first.
— Vikki Otero, Chicago
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