[BikeLongmont] Drivers Ed - part 2

[Craig D. Smith]

What happened to Richard today reminded me of an experience I had last week
with a teenage driver.  I was coming down Baylor (on my bike) in a nice
quiet residential neighborhood and preparing to turn right onto
Mountainview.  The school in that neighborhood had just released its
students and I see the car approaching from behind with two teenage boys in
it.  We are the only two vehicles within sight, and I am over in the right
side of the single lane at that point.  They roll down the windows and shout
"GET OFF THE ROAD" while waving their fists in the air.  From the tone of
their voices, I believe their wish to be sincere and heartfelt.  

 

At first I shrug it off - after all, this has happened hundreds of times
before to all of us.  Then I got to thinking.  I know that they no longer
teach Drivers Ed in school anymore.  I don't agree with this, as it is a
good way to learn the basics and I would gladly give my tax dollars to such
a cause.  But let's assume that there will be no Drivers Ed.  My suggestion
is that some very basic concepts of rights should be taught to all high
school students - in Civics class if that also hasn't been eliminated.  It
would take only 10 minutes.  Simple concept.  Bicycles are vehicles.  They
are entitled to share the road.  Don't ask them to get off the road.  Show
them the same courtesy you show to any other vehicle.  I know that this
message would be battling with others from parents and peers, but I strongly
feel that everyone should be exposed to it in public school.  

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://picek.bicyclelongmont.org/pipermail/bike/attachments/20050329/821847b7/attachment.htm