with apologies to H.G. Wells

[topaz]

When I see six or seven bicyclists lined up at a traffic light on a rainy 46dF morning in November, I do not fear for the human race.

Comments

[ursomniac.livejournal.com]

When I see ONE bicyclist actually stopping at a red light or stop sign, I thank the FSM.

But then again I commute through Harvard Sq., so there's already multiple populations of Darwin effect wannabes out there: cars, bikes, pedestrians, etc. My particular "gets me all stabby" location is the end of JFK at the square. The two lanes are clearly marked as "left turn only" and "go forward" (three signs and painted road), yet overly-privileged drivers CONSTANTLY use up the left-turn only lane as their "oh I can't be bothered waiting in line with everyone else so I'll "just" sneak in here..." maneuver. Grrrrr.

If everyone just does what they're supposed to do, it's really not that bad a location: congested, yes, but entirely doable with a very reasonable amount of "delay".

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

The cyclists on Beacon St / Hampshire St. between Porter Square and Kendall tend to be fairly well behaved, if only because the cops have been known to set up cyclist ticket traps on that stretch. (Yes, really!)

I confess that I have made that mistake on JFK myself -- I don't drive it often, and while there may be signs I didn't notice until the last block that the left lane is a left-turn-only lane. My bad. I will hit myself with an honorary BBC foam bat in penance!