This is from a story titled "Should Cyclists Run Red Lights?", found at http://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/10/22/should-cyclists-run-red-l...

It is my response to the 360 or so posts in response to the story... and it's my call for support for bike commuters, both to the TSP community and also to Mayer Menino in his bike initiative. (One story in Boston Mag. can be found at http://www.bostonmagazine.com/blogs/boston/2007/09/20/mayor-gets-relijun/)

Plus it's been a while since I've posted a good rant. heh...

As follows:

When the laws of this state and city are written to protect me, on a bicycle, to the same degree as they are written to protect the operator of a 2-ton vehicle I will obey them.

When I am allowed a safe route to get to where I need to go which keeps me out of the danger of road traffic, as well as keeping pedestrians, dog-walkers, roller-bladers and other recreational users safe from me, I will use it.

Until that time, until the time that bikes are considered a serious solution to many of the city's commuter related traffic and safety problems, as well as other, bigger problems of dependence on non-renewable energy sources... until that time I will heed the message that this community has very clearly spoken to me: I'm on my own, my safety and security and convenience are the community's lowest priority, and I should conduct myself accordingly.

At the end of the day, I have the same need and responsibility that every other commuter has, that is, to get myself home to my family safely. I will do whatever I feel I need to do to accomplish that. If what I feel I need to do to get through Boston traffic safely offends Boston drivers, then so be it.

Deal. Until I get an option, your complaining is the very least of my concerns. The SUV driver talking on his cell phone about to very literally kill me is a little higher on my list.

Of course, the irony here is that the rich variety of responses posted here, from tempered consideration to outright hostility is exactly what I see on the road every day, regardless of vehicle and driver... I don't care whether you're on a bike or driving a bus. It's a war zone, there are friends and enemies, and until it becomes anything else I will behave accordingly.

Finally, did it ever occur to you why there are sidewalks? To keep pedestrians off the road. Bike paths today are considered recreational areas, to be shared by other recreational users, not commuting routes. Of all the roads and routes I've ridden on, nothing has been more dangerous than a bike path with roller-bladers or dog walkers on it. Ever been "leashed"? I have.

Putting a vehicle capable of a top speed of 25mph and a weight of 25lbs on the same road as a 2 ton 250hp steel box makes as much sense as putting that same bike on a sidewalk... Give us bike lanes, give us rules protecting us as well as the public, give us dedicated bike paths and you're on the way to a solution.