9 Things Drivers Need to Stop Saying in the Bikes vs. Cars Debate

There are certain things guaranteed to set off an internet firestorm. Talk about climate change, mention Monsanto, or bring up the treatment of women in video games. And you can, especially in recent years, piss off a whole bunch of people simply by writing about bikes and cars. Nothing seems to bring out the angry caps lock and personal attacks faster than transportation issues.

A recent report showing more cyclists are dying on US streets prompted a remarkable number of stories about cyclist safety. And in the comments section of each, people rehashed the same tired arguments over and over.

So, before the next big wave of internet arguing, I propose we retire a few overused and underwhelming opinions in the bikes vs. cars debate. Though I drive and bike, my allegiances skew toward cyclists (feel free to scroll straight the comments and yell at me). But beyond my personal judgments lie a great many studies and data showing most of the pro-motorist arguments just don’t hold up. I know it’s hard to be wrong, especially on the internet, but here are a few sentences I hope we see less of in the future.

Read the 9 things here: http://www.wired.com/2014/11/9-things-drivers-need-stop-saying-bike...

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Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on December 13, 2014 at 1:02am

I'm a big advocate of the Idaho stop law. Problem is, it's a little too subtle for a lot of motorists to comprehend. And as far as getting Rahmbo on his bike, it might improve his chances for re-election if he were seen riding around in the 'hoods a little more often. It would go a long way toward lowering his perception as an imperial mayor, more interested in bringing money and power into the city than caring about it's neighborhoods.

yai danche said:

The most important point of the article is that drivers and cyclists are people and neither are saints who follow the rules of the road all the time.  Yet cyclists are painted as these jackasses who break rules, etc.

About the video, Sarah has a blog and they are a committed biking family!  She biked and used public transit while pregnant and now regularly hauls her kids by cargo bike.  Sure, once in a while you see Rahm on the train, but when have you seen him bike to work?  And we know he knows how to ride a bike (I recall him completing a triathlon).  

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