© 1997 Hyperactiveman
"How can you be so stupid, riding your bike like that!" the phrase stayed in my head for days, and it made me wonder, am I really that stupid? Nope!
A lot of car and truck drivers had honk at me, gave me the finger, or the ‘stay off the road’ look, but none has ever open their window and yell at me. Then it happened, during my usual Wednesday after school ride around town.
It all happened while I was riding home, I cut this white car off to get out of the way of this pothole, and this made the driver furious. After giving me the honk, the finger and then the look, he stopped, opened his window and started yelling at me! As confused and mad as I was at that moment, I apologized, after all it was my mistake, then we went our separate way.
This incident bothered me a lot. I thought over what I did, and for a while I was telling myself ‘ I guess I could’ve bunnyhop that hole, and stayed out of the way.’ But it wasn’t what I didn’t do that bothered me, it was what he said, as some of the things the driver said really got to me. One thing he said was "Do all of you have to ride on the road! Can’t you all just find something more useful to do!" at that moment I didn’t say anything back, but in my head it said ‘There isn’t any other place for me to ride, except the road. What do you expect me to do, play golf?’ I should have told him, it might made him understand, or would it make him even more furious? I didn’t really want to find out.
I have been riding the car packed roads of Singapore for three years now, and I have just about met every kind of driver there is to meet. And one thing I find out about them, is that just about 90% of them want us bikers off the road. Why? Simple, roads are for MOTOR vehicle only! Oh you don’t agree, me too. But most drivers think so, and some are doing everything to keep us off., like running us over. Fine city I live in!
Could there be more to it, than just plain selfishness. Could us bikers have caused some of the hate that has risen amongst the motorists? The answer is yes, just riding on the road may already make some motorists mad, why? ‘cause we get in the way, but I am not going to go any further into this, as the road is for all to use, and that includes bikes. But that isn’t it, sometimes it’s what we do when we ride that create these angry motorists.
Responsible riding is one thing we can do to minimize this problem. Everyone please save the cross up, the table top, the ‘ Look at me catch major air’ jump or whatever it is, when you are in an area that you know is safe to do such things. For some people that is kind of hard, and I admit I am one of them. (Please forgive me, I am only 16.) These tricks just make the rides more interesting, it’s fun and it’s cool, but there is appropriate and inappropriate times for them. When you are on the road, it is just inappropriate.
What caused these GONZO biking attitude in these bikers (and me)? There are a lot of contributors, but the main one is the extreme image post upon mountain biking. I don’t mind if I find this type of attitude on the trails, I actually prefer it. But when nobbies hits the pave, and the attitude folllows then the problem arises.
So all you Hans Ray wanna be out there, just chill! Get a wind trainer and ride it off! And as for all you throttle happy drivers, remember we have as much right to be on the road as you do, so live with it we will always be there!
Keith Yan
Speed Zone | Wrench Zone | Breaking Zone | Hype Zone | Time Zone
© 1997 Hyperactiveman
