Cloud Tree
Bikes Are Traffic
RECEIVED Mon., April 21, 2008
Dear Editor,
I am writing to respond to Carl LoSchiavo, the fellow driving his car behind me on Guadalupe the other day [“Postmarks,” April 18]. First of all, by the passive-aggressive and then defensive tone of your letter, Carl, I can tell I made you very angry. For that, I am sorry. But I feel obliged to inform you that driving a fuel-efficient car does not prevent you from being part of the No. 1 cause of air pollution in Austin. And while you seem aware of the fact that the city offers many options on bike routes, you lacked the ambition to check a city bike map (they just came out with a nice new one). If you had, you might have noticed that bike routes Nos. 47 and 33 go right down Guadalupe. As far as accusing me of blocking traffic, check the law; the state of Texas says a bike is a vehicle which I must ride as far to the right as is practicable, and on some sections of bike route No. 33, that is in the middle of the lane, of which there are two. I am traffic. So next time that happens, just put on your turn signal, change lanes, and pass me. Pretend I'm your grandmother in a big ol' Cadillac. And if you find a little ambition, try riding a bike. Not only is it fun, but you save gas, too.
I am writing to respond to Carl LoSchiavo, the fellow driving his car behind me on Guadalupe the other day [“Postmarks,” April 18]. First of all, by the passive-aggressive and then defensive tone of your letter, Carl, I can tell I made you very angry. For that, I am sorry. But I feel obliged to inform you that driving a fuel-efficient car does not prevent you from being part of the No. 1 cause of air pollution in Austin. And while you seem aware of the fact that the city offers many options on bike routes, you lacked the ambition to check a city bike map (they just came out with a nice new one). If you had, you might have noticed that bike routes Nos. 47 and 33 go right down Guadalupe. As far as accusing me of blocking traffic, check the law; the state of Texas says a bike is a vehicle which I must ride as far to the right as is practicable, and on some sections of bike route No. 33, that is in the middle of the lane, of which there are two. I am traffic. So next time that happens, just put on your turn signal, change lanes, and pass me. Pretend I'm your grandmother in a big ol' Cadillac. And if you find a little ambition, try riding a bike. Not only is it fun, but you save gas, too.
Pete Wall
