It never seems to amaze me the commuter ways of Portland, Oregon. There are so many different choices on how to get around I mean really take your pick: trimet, bikes, foot, scooters, and lets not forget the traditional car! Seriously Portland is one of the easiest cities in the United States to live in without having to actually own a car, Im speaking from experience.
I remember the days of riding my bike and was told to watch out for cars, wear your helmet and watch for cars! The cars are bigger then you and they have blind spots, they are traveling at a much faster speed then you are. My mother would repeat those word every time we left the house to ride bikes. She instilled in us the natural food chain of the roads, if its bigger then you it wins on the road. She really should have coined the phrase "stay in your own lane." Still til this day I can hear her stern tone warning me the moment I go to ride a bike.
This brings me to my question when did bikes become cars? Im not questioning the choice to use a bike for commuting purposes, I think its great in so many ways and actually admire those that do it rain or shine. But We have these roads that have been paved that fit the different sizes of cars and we have even gone as far to add bike lanes, your welcome! But when did it become the norm of bikers in Portland to feel they own the ENTIRE roadway? To ride in the street with no fear of a motorized vehicle. There's no thought "this car is bigger then me, If I get in its way I ultimately lose the fight!"
Walking is a form of transportation, you put one foot in front of the other and you can get anywhere! Sidewalks were made to keep those who walk safe. You don't see cars driving on side walks with drivers yelling out the window at walkers to watch for them. Policing the sidewalk reminding those who are walking the laws of the roads as they themselves break them!
In the last month I've had some many run ins with bikers, which is how this post even came to be. I've been stopped at a red light and whilena biker fully hit the back end of my car then keep going like nothing happened. He then continued foward through traffic, did I mention I was at a red light? Yeah so he committed a hit and run and then ran the red light. I've been called the "C" word by a biker traveling with his son on his back! I was in the flow of traffic with no stop sign, cars parked along the right side of me, inching forward in the train of cars bumper to bumper. He was upset that I didn't make room for him, what room was there to make? Get in line with the rest of us if you want to travel the road, or take another route!
Let me remind you it's a privilege to drive a car, you have to be licensed to be on the road. But anyone can ride a bike! You do not have to obtained a bikers license before you use the road, yet we have bike lanes in place! This right here is where the biker entitlement stems from, and it's running rampid through the streets of Portland!
Stay in your lane, and remember the chain! ~ JETSLyfe
