RE: Re: RE: RE: Seatbelts, airbags and helmets

From: Norah Bleazard (dml@bleazard.net)
Date: Wed Jun 09 2004 - 18:22:56 EDT


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net]On Behalf Of Josh
> Battles
> Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 3:19 PM
> To: dakota-truck-moderator@mail.bleazard.net
> Subject: DML: Re: RE: RE: Seatbelts, airbags and helmets
>
>
> I mean no offense, but are you kidding? What about people walking? Should
> they be barred from using the roads as well? Don't get me wrong here, I
> have to drive around bikers constantly, but I do feel that everyone should
> be able to use the roads, our taxes go to pay for these things and they're
> public property.

No offense taken. Told you.. it's just a dream. No real basis for it. It
will probably always bug me. I never started driving until I was 30, so I
have many years of pedestrian and bus riding experience. It's just
difficult in a city the size of Toronto to accommodate everyone. The
streets are so narrow, that driving anything but a small car can be more
than just stressful. This is why I avoid driving downtown at all costs.
Toronto proper just never expanded their road in the core as population
grew. The buildings grew upwards, but the roads stayed the same size as in
the days of the horse and buggy. I compare driving in downtown Toronto to
almost as bad as trying to drive in downtown NYC or in Europe. Not quite as
bad... but still gross. It's just not designed for trucks. I have no idea
how the delivery trucks handle it. I still don't quite understand the
necessity of lights in downtown. I haven't seen a pedestrian yet that obeys
them... um... myself included at times. :-)

> If you think that's bad, come to Chicago. We have these bike messengers
> here and I swear they have a death wish. They ride between cars while
> they're moving (and the bike usually is faster) and then cut in
> front of you
> at a moment's notice. They run people down on the sidewalks as well, and
> are in general a safety hazard for everyone - including themselves. If
> you're not paying attention to them when they're around, there's a good
> chance that you could hit one.

I haven't driven in Chicago, but I can sure relate. In fact, one of these
messenger bikers almost mowed my mother down on the sidewalk. She's a
senior citizen living downtown because of all the conveniences it offers
her, especially as she doesn't drive. But I guess with over 3 million
people in Toronto, you just have to expect chaos. One of the many reasons
we chose to move out of the city and into Burlington. Plus Burlington is a
much more "truck friendly" place to live. Parking spots are not made for 2
seater sports cars... hehehehe. When you drive the Dak in Toronto.. I've
seen looks of disgust on the faces of many of the residents that run around
in little Honda Civics. Sheesh. In fact, when I stopped for gas with my
'93 at a downtown gas station. A gentleman (and I use the term loosely)
pulled behind me for the gas pump and hit my bumper while I was pumping my
gas. Then he had the nerve to yell at me that it wouldn't have happened if
my bumper wasn't' so big. Good grief. Mr. BMW went away with a piece of my
mind. :-) Thanks to trucker dad... hehehehehe. Oh and no damage at all to
my bumper... but his didn't look brand spanking new anymore.

> It's a good idea, but getting motorists to respect that extra lane will be
> an issue I'm sure. People do some stupid things on the road, and I bet
> they'll be using it as a shoulder to pass other motorists on, further
> endangering bicyclists.
>
> --
> - Josh
> Lowered 2000 Dakota CC 3.9L

Toronto seems to have a few more designated bike lanes, but no where near
enough. Especially in the downtown core. I guess city life just ain't for
me anymore. Everyone in a hurry all the time. After 40 years of Toronto
life, I'm glad to be in a less hectic city.

Norah Bleazard http://www.bleazard.net Burlington, Ontario
hers: '01 Dakota Sport 4x4, 4.7 V8, Auto, Quad Cab, black (Black Diamond)
prev: '98 Dakota Sport 4x4, 5.2 V8, Auto, Club Cab, black (Black Widow)
prev: '95 Dakota Sport 4x2, 3.9 V6, Auto, Club Cab, black (Black Ice)
prev: '93 Dakota Sport 4x2, 3.9 V6, Auto, Club Cab, electric blue
(Enterprise)
his: '95 Dakota Sport 4x4, 3.9 V6, 5spd, Reg. Cab, white (White Knight)
ours: '96 Dakota - Golden Retriever



This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Jul 01 2004 - 00:15:16 EDT