on the burrard bridge question (and on paternalism).

while i still have the heart of a social democrat, there is a tiny libertarian inside of me.

and that libertarian says that, for the most part, i know what’s best for me.

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now, when it comes to people arguing over the burrard street bridge bike lane trial, and all of the cyclist-bashing that is going about, i have three things to say to these motards who think that they own the road:

1. whether or not i wear a helmet is not your concern, much as i really couldn’t care less whether you wear a seatbelt. of course, my friends are different – they can express their concern for my safety and have it register in my head. but if you are angry at cyclists for not obeying the rules of the road, don’t touch the helmet issue. and while you’re at it, stop whining about critical mass and saying that the 10 minutes you have to wait are proof of a left-wing conspiracy against you. also, if you can’t wait for 10 minutes in your car without having a nervous breakdown, you have a problem. (here’s a suggestion – get out of your car…it might do you some good!)
2. yes, cyclists will sometimes break the rules of the road. but so do cars…all the time. let’s be honest here: when’s the last time you did a rolling stop? when’s the last time you went over the speed limit, even just by 10 km/h? when’s the last time you didn’t signal? if you say that you have always followed every rule of the road at all times, i’ll call bullshit.
3. regarding no. 2 above, when a car hits a bike, the cyclist will either be severely injured or die. always. helmet or no. so when i get mad at you for passing me too closely, think about that. m’kay?

basically, i believe that cars and bikes can live together. but cyclists have been making concessions to motorists for decades.

the shift that we want to see in cycling will not happen until people feel safe to ride a bike without a helmet. so, really, you know what this city needs, bike-wise? a ride-to-rule campaign.

fellow cyclists! take up a whole lane! take all the time you need! be brave, and show the world what we’re made of.