To paraphrase Bill Lindsey: <INITIATE CURMUDGEON SUBROUTINE> Meanwhile I heard on the radio this morning that some (presumably) well-meaning state senator in New Jersey has introduced a bill that would REQUIRE anyone cycling after sunset to wear a reflective vest or other reflective clothing. Typical rationale from a legislator who thinks more laws will solve everything: "It's very clear to me that drivers are more likely to see a cyclist if the cyclist is wearing a reflective vest." Of course, New Jersey already has a law requiring cyclists to have front and rear lights on their bikes if riding after sunset. So every Garden State cyclist who wants to ride after dark would have to buy a headlight, a taillight, and now a reflective vest. Under the proposed law, if you don't comply, you're fined.
I like reflective stuff – I have triangles on the rear bags of several of my bikes. But why is it the cyclist's responsibility to pay for more equipment in the hope that it will catch the attention of a motorist who is so careless that he doesn't notice a bike with lights on it front and rear? Sheesh. <TERMINATE CURMUDGEON SUBROUTINE> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Patrick Moore Sent: Monday, August 10, 2015 1:14 PM To: rbw-owners-bunch Subject: [RBW] Wise Words from a Wracer http://road.cc/content/news/160492-chris-boardman-films-cycle-safety-video-instructing-drivers-how-pass-safely Boardman has smart things to say about cyclists' safety in traffic. Viewers complained when Boardman was seen riding around Manchester in a dark coat and jeans. “I had the audacity to ride a bicycle in normal clothes and was pilloried for it,” he said. “I dressed as I would to drive down the shops. I have nothing against helmets. Video: Close-passing, ultra-sweary driver takes a tumble after chasing and kicking out at cyclist 18 things that cyclists hate “If I go on a long ride I wear one – sometimes out of habit, often on a mountain bike – but I am under no illusion about the effect on my safety. I manufacture the things. In an incident with a car they will have almost no effect. “They are being used to deflect from making real decisions and I won’t waste air time talking about them. The danger for me is being hit by a vehicle doing something it shouldn’t. We should focus on how we stop accidents not what happens to people who have them.” He said that cycling around town was a clear winner for health and the environment. “We are drowning in data – economic, health, pollution, you pick any battleground you want and using cycling as a mode of transport for short journeys wins hands down,” he adds. “The only way to get people to exercise more is to get them to include it in their daily life. It is not about cyclists but communities. We need infrastructure and there need to be laws to protect people. At the moment the easiest way to kill somebody is to do it in a car with the minimum penalty. As a logical person I am desperately frustrated that we are even talking about this. The fact that we have to push for it is ludicrous.” -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This email (and any attachments thereto) is intended only for use by the addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email (and any attachments thereto) is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error please immediately notify me at (212) 735-3000 and permanently delete the original email (and any copy of any email) and any printout thereof. Further information about the firm, a list of the Partners and their professional qualifications will be provided upon request. ============================================================================== -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
