Sent a letter to The Age:
Jim Schembri seems to be determined to make knee-jerk, reactionary vitriol a
virtue. As (predictably enough, I suppose) a regular cyclist, I do find
myself swearing at the odd pedestrian. Usually the ones that look straight
at me prior to walking out in front of me from between parked cars. This is
assuming that they look at all. Here's where I differ from the redoubtable
Mr. Schembri though - I recognise the fact that these twits are most
decidedly the minority. The bulk of pedestrians do the right thing by dint
of taking some responsibility for their own safety. There is however, a
small pecentage of pedestrians, motorists and, yes, cyclists who do stupid
things on a regular basis. I see them daily as I ride to work and I swear at
them at least as much as motorists do because it gives the self-satisfied
prat sitting next to me in 2.6 tonnes of Prado an excuse to squeeze me into
the gutter.
I, as most serious cyclists, by which I mean someone who sees cycling as
transport and not some poor substitute for a proper, fossil fuel burning
form of transport, do in fact make a point of obeying the road rules. We do
actually know what the road rules are, with particular regard as to how they
apply to us.
Jim Schembri's article is a pathetic attempt to appeal to the least
thougtful section of the community by latching on to a currently fashionable
bogeyman. There's nothing easier than whipping up a bit of scorn for a
conveniently placed minority group, but there are also few things less
responsible. As a direct result of this tripe, I expect to be harrassed on
the road, despite scupulously obeying the law and being as courteous as
possible.
Grow up Jim, and if you can't find some serious issues to address try your
hand at something else. Oh, and buy yourself a bicycle so you can address
this topic from a position of knowledge instead of ignorance. Who knows. we
might make a bike Nazi of you yet.
