Now to bikes. I’ve been two wheeling since I was about 9 in the big Apple and come to this with a little different perspective.

I don’t care for bike paths. Like the pedestrians uber-alles mentality of this area bike paths lulls cyclist into a false sense stupidity. I’m amazed at how often I’ve seen a car slow to wave a jaywalker across only to have her almost hit by a second car passing the nice guy. Similarly as a driver it bugs me that cyclists can appear on my right in a blind spot at anytime.

I’ve never felt unconfortable riding in a big city in heavy traffic. As teens my Bronx buddies and I made trips to Staten Island(on the Ferry) over the GW Bridge to New Jersey, over the Triboro Bridge to Queens. The key was being alert. No one was ever in an accident.

I’ve never been “doored” although I did “door” a cyclist in Cambridge who wasn’t looking as I was CLOSING my car door. My insurance paid for her Mass. General ER car and my bent door.

I still consider myself a casual rider (no spandex pants or tight shirts) using the bike for local errands when it’s dry.

Previous scriber Ms Mello addresses three-quarters of the problem; but what is not mentioned is what to do about “Boston Drivers” when in motion. If all one had to deal with back the was double-parking, it would have been much easier.

Good roads, marked lanes are well and good but for thi unfortunate fact: be you truck, car or velociped, drivers in this town don’t share. Size matters and on a bike, you are last on the list and invisible.

Would that it were otherwise.

Ren Knopf
Holliston, MA