Yesterday I got called a stupid bitch while on my bicycle. Probably for riding my bicycle. It was my second near miss with a car in the space of 3 miles – both entering the intersection while I had the nerve to still be occupying that space. I used my biohorn to call attention to the situation. One backed off graciously (and looked a little surprised that I was there at all) and the other called me a stupid bitch.
Nice example for your kids, lady.
I considered writing a near-missed connection on craigslist to finish our thoughtful conversation.
Feeling a little Evelyn Couch-esque: I'm older and have more insurance.
I've been driving a vehicle since 1979 and riding bicycles, successfully with cars, since at least 1973. I treat both as non-impact sports and behave accordingly. Thus far, I'm winning the game.
A little math for your consideration: I estimate I put 60,000 miles on my first car, 70,000 on my second and another 70,000 on my last car, and about 2,000 on the current one. Plus odd miles on other vehicles. Let's say 210,000 miles, averaged at about 40 mph = 5,250 hours spent driving, or 218.75 24 hour days.
On the two bikes I currently own, I have almost 15,000 miles. Averaging, say, 11 mph is 1,363.6 hours of riding, or 56.8 24 hour days.
In other words, I am well qualified to assess a traffic situation and determine who is behaving properly and who is violating the vehicle code.
If you're 30 and calling me a stupid bitch for being in the intersection when it is my right of way, you've only been driving for 14 years – 6 of those you were in high school or college and probably not driving too much. Therefore, in the 8 years since you were graduated from college, you'd need to have driven 26,250 miles per year to have the depth and breadth of driving experience that I have.
In conclusion, I'm not stupid bitch for riding my bicycle. I'm a smart bitch.
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