Comments on: Justice for Washington Riders Rally in Olympia http://www.mccranium.org/2006/07/25/justice-for-washington-riders-ralley-in-olympia/ Moto - Music - Miscellany - Politics Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:08:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Helen http://www.mccranium.org/2006/07/25/justice-for-washington-riders-ralley-in-olympia/comment-page-1/#comment-6205 Helen Thu, 03 Aug 2006 20:11:29 +0000 http://www.mccranium.org/?p=260#comment-6205 Hi, Short and to the point article in the Seattle PI this am (08/03/06) to whit..."even with a helmet and leathers, there's nothing between you and the roadway, and the margin of error is almost non-existent" and more about no attention to or awareness of cyclists (motor or otherwise). I think defining this as a civil rights issue is correct. Civil rights are those which define respect and just treatment from your fellow man... The price of gas and the interest in alternative transportation must bring with it heightened interest in the safety of all travelers on the road. (What about motorcycle policemen, Seattle has a few fatalities recently.) Hi, Short and to the point article in the Seattle PI this am (08/03/06) to whit…”even with a
helmet and leathers, there’s nothing between you and the roadway, and the margin of error
is almost non-existent” and more about no attention to or awareness of cyclists (motor or
otherwise). I think defining this as a civil rights issue is correct. Civil rights are those which define respect and just treatment from your fellow man… The price of gas and the interest in alternative transportation must bring with it heightened interest in the safety
of all travelers on the road. (What about motorcycle policemen, Seattle has a few fatalities
recently.)

]]> By: Northwest Cycle News » Hang Up and Drive http://www.mccranium.org/2006/07/25/justice-for-washington-riders-ralley-in-olympia/comment-page-1/#comment-5789 Northwest Cycle News » Hang Up and Drive Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:25:39 +0000 http://www.mccranium.org/?p=260#comment-5789 [...] Jimmy McCabe over at mccranium.com has an interesting take on the upcoming Justice for Washington Riders Rally in Olympia. As gas prices continue to soar, we will all see more and more motorcycles on the road. I have never been a big fan of legislating our way out of public safety problems. But in this case I think Washington State could take some proactive steps. First, lets get the cell phones off the road. In my daily observations, they don’t belong there. Second, increase driver training to include more information on motorcycle awareness and include a safety module in the road test. Lastly, like the anti-profiling legislation, the legislature direct law enforcement to actively pursue investigations of wrong doing by motorists who injure or kill motorcyclists without bias. [...] [...] Jimmy McCabe over at mccranium.com has an interesting take on the upcoming Justice for Washington Riders Rally in Olympia. As gas prices continue to soar, we will all see more and more motorcycles on the road. I have never been a big fan of legislating our way out of public safety problems. But in this case I think Washington State could take some proactive steps. First, lets get the cell phones off the road. In my daily observations, they don’t belong there. Second, increase driver training to include more information on motorcycle awareness and include a safety module in the road test. Lastly, like the anti-profiling legislation, the legislature direct law enforcement to actively pursue investigations of wrong doing by motorists who injure or kill motorcyclists without bias. [...]

]]> By: Jimmy http://www.mccranium.org/2006/07/25/justice-for-washington-riders-ralley-in-olympia/comment-page-1/#comment-5788 Jimmy Wed, 26 Jul 2006 18:47:40 +0000 http://www.mccranium.org/?p=260#comment-5788 Sorry your comment got hung up in the filter Hindu. But it is there now. Sorry your comment got hung up in the filter Hindu. But it is there now.

]]> By: Jimmy http://www.mccranium.org/2006/07/25/justice-for-washington-riders-ralley-in-olympia/comment-page-1/#comment-5784 Jimmy Wed, 26 Jul 2006 18:00:06 +0000 http://www.mccranium.org/?p=260#comment-5784 They are just a little new on message development thats all. When I go on the ride I will see if I can help with that. It is a serious issue nonetheless. They are just a little new on message development thats all. When I go on the ride I will see if I can help with that. It is a serious issue nonetheless.

]]> By: Darci http://www.mccranium.org/2006/07/25/justice-for-washington-riders-ralley-in-olympia/comment-page-1/#comment-5783 Darci Wed, 26 Jul 2006 17:06:21 +0000 http://www.mccranium.org/?p=260#comment-5783 OK, quick followup: I still don't understand the assertion that people's "civil rights" are being "taken away". This kind of wording is pretty specific, but the basis for it is completely absent, as far as I can see. They seem to be saying that it's a civil right to ride a motorcycle among completely safe and attentive drivers, and since that isn't how things are, their rights are being taken away? Sorry, but that DOES sound Eymanish. OK, maybe I should just ignore this aspect of the group's message and agree with the rest, but I hate doing that. It's the same reason I don't support the Sierra Club- too much crazy mixed in with the good stuff. OK, quick followup: I still don’t understand the assertion that people’s “civil rights” are being “taken away”. This kind of wording is pretty specific, but the basis for it is completely absent, as far as I can see. They seem to be saying that it’s a civil right to ride a motorcycle among completely safe and attentive drivers, and since that isn’t how things are, their rights are being taken away? Sorry, but that DOES sound Eymanish.

OK, maybe I should just ignore this aspect of the group’s message and agree with the rest, but I hate doing that. It’s the same reason I don’t support the Sierra Club- too much crazy mixed in with the good stuff.

]]> By: Jimmy http://www.mccranium.org/2006/07/25/justice-for-washington-riders-ralley-in-olympia/comment-page-1/#comment-5782 Jimmy Wed, 26 Jul 2006 16:52:00 +0000 http://www.mccranium.org/?p=260#comment-5782 Thier point (although not worded very well) is that we do have the right to be on the road just like drivers. I am not happy with the general language of the message but the principle and this effort is for a good cause. The language wouldn't have been my first choice. Sounds too Eymanish. If you saw what I see every day with cell phones you would probably change your mind. At least the state could promote a "Hang up and Drive" campaign that might wake people up to the distraction. Thier point (although not worded very well) is that we do have the right to be on the road just like drivers. I am not happy with the general language of the message but the principle and this effort is for a good cause. The language wouldn’t have been my first choice. Sounds too Eymanish.

If you saw what I see every day with cell phones you would probably change your mind. At least the state could promote a “Hang up and Drive” campaign that might wake people up to the distraction.

]]> By: Darci http://www.mccranium.org/2006/07/25/justice-for-washington-riders-ralley-in-olympia/comment-page-1/#comment-5778 Darci Wed, 26 Jul 2006 15:48:32 +0000 http://www.mccranium.org/?p=260#comment-5778 Whoo! Interesting, if unexpected, topic. I'm so glad you're not a helmet rebel, Jimmy! And I totally relate to the worry of motorcyclists. I've felt the same thing on a bicycle. I have never heard about there being lax investigation of motorcyclist deaths before. What exactly is the basis for this assertion? I'm not arguing against it, just curious. Afterall, some COPS ride motorcycles, so where would this antipathy toward riders be coming from? The Mission Statement on the website includes this paragraph: "With that being said, our third goal is to remind people that driving is a ‘privilege’ not a ‘right’. A ‘privilege’ should never put the risk of our ‘rights’ in ‘jeopardy’. Placing citizens back on the road immediately after they have killed another citizen by violating a road law is very dangerous. We want to remind people that having a state issued driver’s license (a privilege) require that they follow certain guidelines. Those guidelines are put there to protect all of us and our rights while on the road." If driving is a privelege and not a right, what rights are you/they saying are getting infringed upon? And who is doing the infringing- other drivers or law enforcement or what? This paragraph is pretty muddled with rights and priveleges and laws and guidelines- what do you think the real point is here, Jimmy? Finally, I'm glad for the additional emphasis on enforcing traffic laws in order to protect motorcyclists. I'm convinced that there are far fewer inattentive/careless motorcycle riders than regular drivers, as they are much more vulnerable to injury and death on the road. I disagree with you about cell phones, though, both because I don't feel that they're anymore distracting than a backseat full of Little Leaguers AND because banning calls while driving would be nearly unenforceable and I'm not a fan of useless laws. But I hope that at least the enforcement and awareness messages get out and make a difference for the safety of riders in this state. My own dad is a motorcycle nut and has been since high school, so I'm a pretty big fan of this cause. :) Whoo! Interesting, if unexpected, topic. I’m so glad you’re not a helmet rebel, Jimmy! And I totally relate to the worry of motorcyclists. I’ve felt the same thing on a bicycle.

I have never heard about there being lax investigation of motorcyclist deaths before. What exactly is the basis for this assertion? I’m not arguing against it, just curious. Afterall, some COPS ride motorcycles, so where would this antipathy toward riders be coming from?

The Mission Statement on the website includes this paragraph:
“With that being said, our third goal is to remind people that driving is
a ‘privilege’ not a ‘right’. A ‘privilege’ should never put the risk of our
‘rights’ in ‘jeopardy’. Placing citizens back on the road immediately
after they have killed another citizen by violating a road law is very
dangerous. We want to remind people that having a state issued
driver’s license (a privilege) require that they follow certain
guidelines. Those guidelines are put there to protect all of us and
our rights while on the road.”

If driving is a privelege and not a right, what rights are you/they saying are getting infringed upon? And who is doing the infringing- other drivers or law enforcement or what? This paragraph is pretty muddled with rights and priveleges and laws and guidelines- what do you think the real point is here, Jimmy?

Finally, I’m glad for the additional emphasis on enforcing traffic laws in order to protect motorcyclists. I’m convinced that there are far fewer inattentive/careless motorcycle riders than regular drivers, as they are much more vulnerable to injury and death on the road.

I disagree with you about cell phones, though, both because I don’t feel that they’re anymore distracting than a backseat full of Little Leaguers AND because banning calls while driving would be nearly unenforceable and I’m not a fan of useless laws.

But I hope that at least the enforcement and awareness messages get out and make a difference for the safety of riders in this state. My own dad is a motorcycle nut and has been since high school, so I’m a pretty big fan of this cause. :)

]]> By: Hindu http://www.mccranium.org/2006/07/25/justice-for-washington-riders-ralley-in-olympia/comment-page-1/#comment-5750 Hindu Wed, 26 Jul 2006 01:45:35 +0000 http://www.mccranium.org/?p=260#comment-5750 Jimmy, I was with you right up to the new legislation part. Getting the gov involved will only become a mess, as usual. And I don't agree with going after cell phone use. I mean, hell, it pisses me off too to see teenagers flying down my S Richland residential street yakking away on the cell. They are going to kill someone behaving like that. But I think the free market will provide a better solution than making laws against cell phone users. Myself, as a farmer in 3 counties, I'm on the phone all the time while I drive. I have a hands-free setup with voice-activation that lets me drive normally. So I think the answer lies in public awareness which always leads entrepreneurs to take up the cause for a profit motive. Someone will come up with a technological solution that's better than cops pulling over every cell phone user. As for motorcycles, I love them too. Although I'm out of practice because I have kids now. I understand the physics of the equation and know I'll likely be on the short end of any crash. It's too bad really. Nothing like the those forgotten days of youth - blazing down the 2-lane on bike - no helmet - wind in what used to be my hair. Ahhhhh freedom. Almost makes me ready for a mid-life crisis... Jimmy, I was with you right up to the new legislation part. Getting the gov involved will only become a mess, as usual. And I don’t agree with going after cell phone use. I mean, hell, it pisses me off too to see teenagers flying down my S Richland residential street yakking away on the cell. They are going to kill someone behaving like that. But I think the free market will provide a better solution than making laws against cell phone users.

Myself, as a farmer in 3 counties, I’m on the phone all the time while I drive. I have a hands-free setup with voice-activation that lets me drive normally. So I think the answer lies in public awareness which always leads entrepreneurs to take up the cause for a profit motive. Someone will come up with a technological solution that’s better than cops pulling over every cell phone user.

As for motorcycles, I love them too. Although I’m out of practice because I have kids now. I understand the physics of the equation and know I’ll likely be on the short end of any crash.

It’s too bad really. Nothing like the those forgotten days of youth – blazing down the 2-lane on bike – no helmet – wind in what used to be my hair. Ahhhhh freedom. Almost makes me ready for a mid-life crisis…

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