Can’t Stop Won’t Stop
I took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather yesterday to check out Nature’s Corner at Spy Run and State because I read they had a couple books about old-school downtown shopping and also to peruse Linda Lou’s on Wells Street. I did so on my bike.
According to Indiana Code 9-21-11-2, “a person riding a bicycle upon a roadway has all the rights and duties under this article that are applicable to a person who drives a vehicle”. Also, Fort Wayne City Code ยง74.38 states that “no person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district”.
Putting the two together, this means that I was riding on the street, as it is both my right (per Indiana Code) and my responsibility (per City Code).
As I was riding down Spy Run Avenue towards Nature’s Corner, however, a couple high school kids in a SUV honked and yelled at me to get on the sidewalk, which is something I’ve come to expect when riding in the Summit City.
Since the time frame for communication is short in such situations, I simply flashed them a big smile and shared a hand gesture.
Why don’t you operate your vehicle on the sidewalk?
It would be just as illegal.
My experiences aren’t exclusive to myself, either.
It’s amazing how ignorant these kids can be, since they’re probably only a few years out of driver’s ed. I think there are some really important things that are being glossed over when we prepare people to drive, like sharing the road with anything that doesn’t have an engine and 4 wheels?! Motorcycles, bicycles, Amish buggies; worse than being ignored – they are often treated with hostility.
Maybe we raise the automotive driving age to 18, and put the 16 year olds on mopeds? Maybe they’d have a better understanding of responsibility…maybe.
It’s not just new drivers. Usually it’s middle aged guys in trucks and SUVs doing the shouting. Apparently their cubic centimeters aren’t compensating enough and so they feel the need to assert their
manlinesscowardliness by shouting at bicyclists.There was one time when I was waiting at a light with a car behind me. I went left, they went straight, but they didn’t bother shouting at me until we were going our separate ways and they were past me. They had a full 15 seconds or so while waiting at the light that they could have spoken their mind but waited until there was a safe getaway.
Unfortunately, a large segment of the driving population, both urban and rural, reacts in this manner to bikers. My wife and I frequently ride north of town, and on most rides, we have someone who either yells at us, flips us the bird, or does not give us any room, usually within sight of a “share the road’ sign.
Refusing to drink and drive, I generally bike to my favorite downtown bars. Of course, this identifies you as a DUI victim (never had one) in this town. Once, while riding home late on Jefferson, a meathead yelled out his window, “Get a car, drunk!” That was so stupid it was funny.
And you wonder why Ft. Wayne is ranked as one of the most obese cities in America. Everybody drives, very few bike. And when there is bikers out, for some reason drivers go berserk. So they yell, and flip the bird and whatnot, because they probably have a crappy job or a failed marriage or something and they need someone to shout at.
Kind of reminds me of a power trip. Classic case of ” I’m bigger than you and I intend to exert force in attempt to intimidate and scare you”. Its not really a flattering or admirable trait to have, and way too many insecure folks seem to subscribe and reward this type of negative behavior.
Why some individuals feel the incessant need to bully and show dominance is beyond me. Not to mention, cyclists might be possibly inconveniencing a driver in an automobile to slow down who is hell-bent on getting to Glenbrook Mall.
@RMike – Your quote by the “meathead” who yelled “Get a car, drunk!” is priceless. I wonder if this same brainiac thinks the Critical Mass bike rides are a bunch of Alcoholics Anonymous folks with DUIs who are riding home from a group therapy session.
The more bikes that are out there the more accustomed drivers will become. So..keep it up and thanks for bringing light to what promises to continue to be a hot button issue.
Nice to see that someone else can read City Code. Now can we figure out how many places it is illegal to ride a bike on the RiverGreenway? And for the Attorney’s “Business District” is is a different definition in Fort Wayne City code than “Commercial District”
The bikers these guys should be yelling at are the ones who ride their bike against traffic. In the dark. Wearing all black.
I always try not to sound like an ass when I tell people they should be riding with traffic not against, but I’m sure I look like a jerk.
I have a short temper when it comes to cars and me on the road. I yell explicatives and throw the middle finger a lot. I know I’m not making anything better, but it always makes me feel better.
Once, I had ritz crackers thrown at me. That one made me laugh.