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Another Back--Of-The-Bus Argument : 2/12/2009

The husband of this trophy wife must be buying a lot of ads in the Daily Sound to justify this hit parade of weekly ignorant insults. Gina, is it really "your lane"? If you assume that bicyclists are third-class citizens not subject to existing laws, they your ignorant premises here only make sense.

Gina thinks she is above the law

you can't be serious... : 2/12/2009

this is ridiculous and ignorant at best. my choice of transportation (walking and cycling most days) is JUST as valid as those who choose to ride the bus or drive a car. perhaps we should remove cars from heavily congested roads to make room for non-motorized transport? how's that for a solution? "Reconstructing intersections will not make busy streets significantly safer for bicyclists." and yes, reconstructing intersections DOES make significant difference, which is why we demand equal safety for all users. please, start thinking of someone other than yourself.

win-win? : 2/12/2009

How about this idea. The City should restrict the size of vehicles within city limits during heavy traffic hours. Nobody is forcing anyone to drive a Chevy Suburban. If you have a big load, you can wait until rush hour is over. If you have to take kids to soccer, you can take a minivan. Think about it. It's a win-win and won't cost a dime. In fact, it will save a lot of dimes in un-wasted gas.

Rich Wilson

Same goes for Pedestrians? : 2/12/2009

Should the same be true for pedestrians, then? No walking people allowed in heavily trafficked areas, and convenience and main thoroughfares are only for motorists of a certain speed and weight? Where do we draw the line? Of course not. Highways are for motorists who need to travel quickly and in an unimpeded fashion. The streets are meant to be shared, as the laws provide.

Beth

Just Stay off the Road : 2/12/2009

Anyone with the anger issues Gina Perry has should just stay off the road in any vehicle. In Santa Barbara there is always more than one way to get where you want to go.

Calm Drivers Wanted

Gina makes a perfect argument for our Coalition : 2/12/2009

Dear readers, I appreciate Noozhawk for printing Gina Perry's view. I think it's the perfect argument for why the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition is a great non-profit. The mission of this group is to help those who feel like Gina to understand that bicycles are not toys, but often the best form of transportation. If Gina's view disturbs you at all, I think it's time for you to look us up on the web, click the join button, and find some of the most interesting, healthy, bright, diverse, and friendly folks in town. www.sbbike.org When you join, will you scribble (GINA SENT ME!) on your check? That'll allow us to track the impact of this fascinating diatribe against our neighbors on bicycles. Thanks, Gina!

Don Lubach

False Premise and hearsay, great journalism. : 2/12/2009

Ms. Perry, I suppose your next article will cover the FACT that blue is a better color than red. This article is irresponsible, and totally biased.

Anthony Cobuccio

I completely disagree : 2/12/2009

As a bicyclist, I am already confined to certain "alternate" routes. Even though the 101 might be much more direct for my travels, there is NO way I'm going to deal with that mess of smog and roaring engines. And instead of limiting bicycle use, why not promote it? 40 percent of everyday travel in the U.S. are trips of 2 miles or less, according to the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Safety Administration. So, if every single day, 40 percent of the cars on the road were removed, imagine what would happen to our traffic problems then? Heck, riding a bike wouldn't only cut down on traffic and pollution problems, but health problems as well. Now, if only there weren't people out there trying to make it more difficult for me to use my bike. Excuse me if I don't want to become a part of the overweight, environment-destroying masses. Also, probably more than 90 percent (sorry, I don't actually know this number) of bike riders still own a car. Cars are practically a necessity in today's world. Believe it or not, I do know what it's like to drive with bicyclists around.

Lstminutepanic

Elephants and toddlers : 2/12/2009

In some context, that being the rampant obesity of average Americans, the "Elephant" tag may be accurate, and many of them act like toddlers behind the wheel. I guess "Elephants and Toddlers" is about the only thing you got right, even if not in the way you intended. "calm is the last adjective I’d use to describe my emotions when I have to change lanes during rush hour to avoid hitting a bicyclist who is taking up half of my lane" So, Gina, are you angry when this happens? Perhaps the problem lies not with the bicyclist, but with your supposed ownership of the road. It is NOT your lane. Get that through your head, and you may feel some of your anger slipping away. If not, consider some counseling. Seriously. There are some great links on the SBBC site. Did you even look? Maybe you just missed this one: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=21001-22000&file=21200-21212 "Instead, the City should require bicyclists riding within city limits to travel alternate routes during heavy traffic hours and/or avoid heavily traveled roadways altogether unless absolutely necessary. Think about it. It’s a win-win and it won’t cost a dime." To adapt an old phrase Gina, engage your brain before you click on "send" or "print." How would this cost nothing? There would have to be signage all over every prohibited route, enforcement, and the court battle the city would lose in trying to enforce laws that go against the DMV code. See the above link. I find it odd that you are so against such a clean, simple form of transportation. Would you be less angry at me if you were stuck behind me while I'm driving my Crown Victoria? Yes Gina, like so many bicyclists, I own and operate a car. I pay all the requisite fees that go with it. I have every right be on "your" road. I just prefer to occupy "my" lane on a bicycle.

Santa Barbara Cyclist

Rules is rules : 2/12/2009

Gina Perry has little to no concept of the rules that govern the road and is thus probably THE most dangerous motorists zooming around on our Santa Barbara streets. Traffic congestion isn't because cyclists are on the road, they are because too many people drive "mid-size" single-occupancy vehicles (obviously). I suggest we get some money together, buy Gina a bike, and get her enrolled in a class taught by a Licensed Cycling Instructor so she too can discover the amazing freedom that comes from pedaling the most efficient vehicle ever created by mankind. Then, Gina would spend sometime self-reflecting on the backward logic she employs when writing her ridiculous op-ed pieces, change her isolated and narrow views on the way things work, and the Daily Sound could then plug one of its many holes that seem to be bleeding credibility. Seems like a win-win to me.

The Noblest Invention

A Chevrolet Suburban (a mid-sized vehicle ? : 2/12/2009

really? even with commercial traffic figured in a suburban is not a lightwieght! The metal involved in a truck that big could make at least 10 tandem bikes and child trailers. How many people travel in this truck to work 1 but an equivalent weight of bikes could move 40 people. When I drive a car, and am inconvienced by cyclists, it adds minutes not hours to my commute. Americans are more over-weight, waste more moeny on gas-powered cars, and spew more CO2 then the rest of the industrial world, perhaps we should see cyclists are eco-leaders and now incovienent pest (they are people). Gina you must be a spectacular political pundit for the editors to put up with this poor writing outside your area of expertise!

middleagemarriedman

uh : 2/12/2009

Lady, you're a moran!

are you kidding me?

Oil imports : 2/12/2009

The US has had to borrow extensively to finance its oil imports. When oil is $80 per barrel—twice today’s price—and we import 14 million barrels per day, that comes to $1.1 billion per day, or $400 billion per year. Some of that is paid for by our exports, but much has been made possible by foreign purchases of our debt securities. With the massive deficits America is creating to finance the bailouts and recovery packages, who will lend us money in the future? What interest rates, or other security, will they demand? It is reasonable to assume that at some point foreign investors will drastically reduce the investments that fund our imports. So, Gina, do you realize that our exessive oil consumption is part of the dire economic situation that we are in? And that bicyclists are part of the solution along with transit, and walkable communities?

bentist

Gina = Elephant : 2/12/2009

me = toddler -- cool! I have my youth back and she is . . . .an overweight pachyderm in a metropolitian area? or was she using analogy? literally, elephants are more careful of their little ones then we (the superior species?) are with fellow citizens who care more about the environment then we do?

guy_behind_u_when_u_hit_cyclist

absurd : 2/12/2009

you are just going to have to accept the fact that biking is becoming more popular. it is growing as a means of transportation, and cities need to acknowledge that and accommodate them. you can't just stop the fact that people are becoming more aware of their carbon footprint, and taking actions to change. in fact you should probably try riding a bike to work every day. put yourself in the position of someone who is completely vulnerable to getting hit by your two ton car. you would probably become a happier person because of the exercise. its absurd that you don't care about the safety of fellow human beings.

beth

Your lane? : 2/12/2009

Thank goodness the vast majority of SB motorized vehicle drivers are not as blatantly ignorant as Ms. Perry. I am a daily bicycle commuter and 99.9999% of the car drivers I interact with daily are respectful and aware of bicyclists. Every once in a while, however - I do see one of these "Me! Me! Me!" drivers. They're usually the ones speeding, rolling through stop signs, and being bothered by anything and everything in "their" lane, be it car, bike, truck, pedestrian or otherwise. Please Ms. Perry, get over yourself. There's a whole big world out there of other people, and it looks like you're the odd one out here.

surfimp

The writer is confused... : 2/12/2009

In the first paragraphs the writer indicates that the desired improvements to the intersection would be for cyclist safety, then the writer goes on in later paragraphs to indicate that for cyclist safety one should "should seek an alternate and safer route." Uh, they are trying to create " alternate and safer routes... which is the whole goal of the community meeting.

genec

Your hurry is only yours.......Get over yerself ! : 2/12/2009

"....................... to avoid hitting a bicyclist who is taking up half of my lane. " Ha ha ha ha ....... "MY" lane. Too ridiculous to comment on further.

a human

Strawman.... : 2/12/2009

This has to be the weakest straw man argument ever. A cyclist will take the lane (not YOUR lane as it is stated in most state laws) to avoid being run over by someone like you who is to impatient and inattentive to notice them otherwise. You are calling for a law to be enacted because someone is inconveniencing you, that is quite self absorbed. A Chevy Suburban is not a mid-sized vehicle by any means and the only elephants lumbering around are the undoubtedly overweight ones who drive said vehicles and write ridiculous political columns.

Spanky-G

Santa Barbara used to be a nice place : 2/12/2009

As a 12 year old child I used to ride a bicycle 5 miles to school every day on the streets of Santa Barbara - and I don't believe I ever once encountered such hateful vitriol in a motorist such as Gina takes with her on the roads every day. I have never been back to Santa Barbara to witness its decline into the antagonistic nightmare that Gina propagates. But since then I have had the pleasure of bicycling on roads with elephants - both wild elephants on open roads in Africa, and working elephants on city streets in Asia. They managed to stay calm in the presence of a bicycle, and used their large brains to avoid causing accidents. If Gina wishes to be treated like an elephant, perhaps she should start acting like one - the streets would be both safer and calmer. Think about it. It's a win-win and won't cost a dime.

H

You nailed it : 2/12/2009

"Our nation’s first recorded traffic accident occurred in 1896 when a New York City motorist hit a bicyclist. " Ban the motorists. They started traffic accidents blame them, now 112 years latter they spend billions upon billions of tax dollars, pollute our skies, water,soil, humans, and peace, kills people and injures the living, crowds our prisons, tries to raid transit funds, sends troops to protect our demand on oil, and every day wastes every whens time, all the way making them unhealthy. Reminding you the still cause traffic accidents for the last 112 years.

bbab4

Let's ALL get along and Share the Road : 2/12/2009

We all (even bicyclists and pedestrians) pay taxes that support the construction and maintained of our roadways. The intersection at State and De la Vina is dangerous to pedestrians and bicyclists and is in need of a redesign. Caltrans agrees and has awarded Santa Barbara $750,000 to increase safety for all. The idea that bicyclist should take a circuitous route or somehow stay out of the lane to allow cars to take the shortest route is short sighted, at best. Your rant that bicycles should protect themselves from Single Occupant Vehicle (SOV) SUVs by staying off the streets is also misguided. Let's ALL get along and Share the Road http://tinyurl.com/cwwas2

Jamey

Bicyclists, Safety, and Traffic Congestion : 2/12/2009

I think that people who agree with Perry should follow her own logic. If Chevy Suburbans and other "light trucks" weigh as much as elephants, then drivers who are not aware enough or caring enough to notice cyclists and pedestrians are a danger not just to non-drivers, but to other drivers as well. They are the ones who are likely to impede traffic (through other moving violations) and be a danger to themselves and others. Such persons should not be trusted to operate an 8000 pound behemoth, but instead should be required to travel by alternate means or alternate routes, particularly during heavy traffic hours or on heavily travelled roadways. Perhaps taking them out of their cars and having them use sidewalks or bike paths would make their travel less risky for everyone. An adult who let an elephant play unsupervised with a toddler would be considered negligent and unreasonable. If this is the case, then cars should not be allowed to drive on routes that are used by cyclists. If cyclists (or cars) need to be rerouted to alternate routes, such a route needs to exist. Perry claims that there is always more than one way to get to where you want to go, but most of those other ways also have cars, and also have entitled drivers complaining about cyclists being in their way, all while driving in such a way as to endanger everyone else. Is Perry advocating for spending city funds to build bike paths? Or would she like to set some roads aside entirely for cyclists? This seems to be her argument, and if so I'm all for it. Until drivers are actually ready to set aside alternate routes, they need to remember that roads are not just "their" roads. They are public roads. As such, they are used by by all members of the public, including those who chose not to drive cars that day. This is what using public property means -- everyone has to share and compromise. People who don't understand this should take a high school civics class to brush up on what being a U.S. citizen means. Meanwhile, they should stop driving until they learn how to do so in a manner that is safe for themselves and for others.

Suzie Null

routes to alternate routes : 2/12/2009

First off, I'm a year round bicycle commuter in St. Paul, MN, but a couple of points made by Gina caught my attention. Please excuse my lack of familiarity with this road and intersection, but I think my rebuttals are universally applied anywhere. "A bicyclist who has trouble navigating congested and heavily traveled city streets should seek an alternate and safer route to his destination." Depending on where the cyclist is starting or ending his route he may have no choice but to use a heavily traveled route. "Instead, the City should require bicyclists riding within city limits to travel alternate routes during heavy traffic hours and/or avoid heavily traveled roadways altogether unless absolutely necessary." Perhaps the cyclists you encounter on this particular road deem the route as "absolutely necessary" to get to their destinations.

Alan

Gina = Joke : 2/12/2009

What a joke! Gina, get a clue. The road is not just for cars, trucks and gas guzzling elephants...It's for bikes too...Maybe you should retake your driving test at the DMV and figure out what the proper laws and Rules of the Road are....The only rule I can tell you understand is the Road Rage rule (of how to)... p.s. To the daily sound editor, are you reading any of the articles you are publishing? First the article about how all the homeless need to be quarenteened and shipped out of the city, very timely right before the homeless guy got his head bashed in by with a 40oz bottle...nice.

Daily Biker

Specious argument : 2/12/2009

"Conservatively speaking, so does an African elephant. The average bicycle weighs between 20 and 40 pounds - the size of your average toddler. " I'd say allow elephants to run free in Santa Barbara and let the toddlers drive Suburbans and let the soccer moms stay at home! Amsterdam provides a real (not specious) example establishing that bicycles and other traffic can co-exist.

njkayaker

: 2/12/2009

Funny thing about that referenced accident in 1896... Back then, the car was the nuisance on a road previously inhabited by only pedestrians, cyclists and horse-drawn carriages. So if you'd like to get technical about who's roads they are, let's talk about who was there first. We, the cyclists, are sharing with you, not the other way around. But wait, you made the argument about being bigger, therefore more entitled, well that's just infallible!

Anonymous Cyclist

Good ol' dayz : 2/12/2009

"Our nation’s first recorded traffic accident occurred in 1896 when a New York City motorist hit a bicyclist. The bicyclist suffered a broken leg; the motorist spent the night in jail." Those were the days...

mconlonx

Rearlly? : 2/12/2009

If you can't control your emotions because of something as trivial as having to change a lane then you have bigger problems on your hands. Have you considered taking a a bike ride on the roadways to see what cyclists go through? It's funny how many people don't try to see all sides of the subject.

Random Person

Please Read These Comments... : 2/12/2009

... you will learn a lot and be less ignorant for it! "I have to change lanes during rush hour to avoid hitting a bicyclist who is taking up half of my lane" You are not changing lanes to avoid hitting a bicyclist. You're changing lanes to overtake another vehicle. And as others pointed out, it's not your lane. And your Elephant argument is horrible. Cities are for people not for oversized monstrosities for which GM already apologized. "The City Council, perhaps smarting from taxpayer outrage..." There should be tax payer outrage for subsidizing the manufacture of your Elephant, feeding it oil, and building significant non-scalable infrastructure for you to ride it.

Concerned Citizen

What the heck? : 2/12/2009

If you aren't willing to take the responsibility of driving an 8,000 pound vehicle (which includes sharing the road with all other vehicles, including bicycles), then don't drive one. Simple. "Instead, the City should require bicyclists riding within city limits to travel alternate routes during heavy traffic hours and/or avoid heavily traveled roadways altogether unless absolutely necessary." - um, no. Public roads are for the public to use. People who travel in ways that cause less pollution, less wear and tear on the roads, better health, etc., should absolutely NOT be discouraged by having their travel limited in this way.

benjdm

Socially Regressed : 2/12/2009

Gina - I live in Salt Lake City and commute on a bike most days, a 20-mile round trip. Considering recent events, you probably would not consider Salt Lake City to be among the most enlightened places in the country, but I have never heard anything close to the arrogant, illogical, and simplistic arguments in the on-going car/bike debates as you have advanced here. Salt Lake City has determined that it will be one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. It has written into law and policy the idea that bikes are a viable, sustainable, and healthy form of transportation and recreation. The City has put its money where its mouth is, and created hundreds of miles of bike lanes and paths and actively supports the advocacy efforts of many private bicycle groups and clubs. It sponsors bike races for charity and provides accommodations for bikes on public transit and near public buildings, parks, and schools/colleges. Frankly, the ideas and impressions you have expressed here would be regarded as regressed in our town. I am still surprised that someone from Santa Barbara would have ideas like yours. I always thought Santa Barbara was a more forward-thinking place. But wait - maybe you aren't from Santa Barbara/ Robert Salt Lake City

Robert

What an insult : 2/12/2009

to elephants! Unlike you Gina they're very intelligent creatures who care deeply for their peers. Clearly, Gina, you may have many physical attributes of an elephant as a consequence of driving your big rear end around in your big 'medium sized' car, but that's where the comparison ends. "my lane" indeed.

a human being

too much congestion is fixed by what!? : 2/12/2009

this makes no sense. If there is too much congestion the solution should be ride-sharing or more people riding bikes. Isn't that better for the environment anyway? Bicyclists should be encouraged, not forced to take other routes.

Emma

Horrific : 2/12/2009

Gina's opinion is impractical and extremely misinformed. Bicyclists have every right to be on a roadpath that happens to be catered for the motor vehicles that cause accidents and endanger lives everyday. Motorists like myself understand that, when you are required by law to drive responsibly, that means slowing down and respecting the rights-of-way of other vehicles, including bicycles. That means 8-12 mph, which is legal since there is no minimum speed limit. The bicycle is not a toy. It the most efficient form of transportation known. While a gallon of gas can get 18 miles for an SUV, I can go for about 950 miles using the same amount of energy. But I doubt Gina will understand how such a comparison can be made. SUV drivers, in my experience, tend to be less mentally apt.

CJ

: 2/12/2009

Gina, Please try to not run us over. No one will believe it was an accident anymore

biking : 2/12/2009

People have HAD to use bikes when they can't afford gasoline or students have no other means of transportation. I'm sure NO ONE is biking in traffic for the fun of it.

Give space to Bikers please

Ginasaurous : 2/12/2009

Your "driving" attitude is obviously not welcome based on all the comments. If this article is for entertainment, well we're entertained, but not amused. The comments have said it all but one thing I will add is when I look for my next home in Santa Barbara, I will not be employing Village Properties Realtors who's banner ad appears above your bigoted article. In fact, I will most likely search out and inform all the Daily Sound's advertisors that I will not be supporting advertisors who associate themselves with such divisive and bigoted works written by such a dolt who no doubt is close to self-extinction.

UCSB

how bout YOU get out of MY way : 2/12/2009

Gina, did you even notice when I had to change lanes during rush hour to avoid crushing your 8,000 pound suv with my 30,000 pound dump truck because YOU were taking up ALL of MY lane? You werent going as fast as I wanted to be going, but, being a professional(not to mention an adult) i remained calm as i passed you. In my opinion there are too many suv's causing congestion on our roadways, impeding the free flow of traffic in heavily travelled areas. Perhaps the City should require suv's driving within city limits to travel alternate routes during heavy traffic hours and/or avoid heavily traveled roadways altogether unless absolutely necessary. Think about it. It’s a win-win and it won’t cost a dime.

Madmike

The sad truth : 2/12/2009

The sad truth is that your pathetically small minded, egomaniacal, myopic attitude is representative of many drivers. Want to see everything that's wrong with our society, Gina?.... just look in the mirror.

Just want to get from A to B in 1 piece

Go ahead : 2/12/2009

Make my day, hit me with your SUV while I'm LEGALLY riding in "your" lane..... this article will just ensure that I (or my surviving family) will sue you out of existence.

Ride2Work, Work2Live, Live2Ride

Gina Perry's a Spoof : 2/12/2009

I think Gina Perry is a spoof. There's no way that one person could write so many outrageous, hateful, idiotic articles in a row. I think we're being "Punked" here, folks.

MCM

Please learn the facts : 2/13/2009

First off it is not "your lane". The road belongs to everyone and is available to everyone regardless of his or her means of travel. If there is a bike in front of you, it is "their" lane until or unless you SAFELY pass them. If you have to, (gasp), take the extraordinary measure of CHANGING LANES to do so then that is the price you pay for using the public roads. If you get emotional about having to change lanes to avoid hitting someone maybe you should take the bus. In spite of your ignorant statements here, I would assume that most other drivers are far more intelligent than the average elephant. Some actually drive cars that weigh less than an elephant. While you may be right that reconstructing streets might not be the best way to make streets safer, I can think of one way to accomplish that goal which won't cost a penny. If ill informed drivers like yourself who display complete ignorance of traffic laws were removed from the roads, everyone would be better off. It was irresponsible for your paper to publish these ridiculous views and after you're educated about the traffic laws, you should be forced to write an article to retract what you've written here. The paper should immediately publish an apology for publishing this article.

bikesafer

Public roads are .... : 2/13/2009

First come, first serve!

Scofflaw

UCSB, Great Point : 2/13/2009

I've read through the article and all the comments. I must admit all the comments are very good. Makes me want to be a better driver. I already significantly over indulge and I drive a Jeep Liberty, usually to Starbucks or Blockbuster :/. Anyways, UCSB, I think you are so right with your comment. I quote here for convenience: "The comments have said it all but one thing I will add is when I look for my next home in Santa Barbara, I will not be employing Village Properties Realtors who's banner ad appears above your bigoted article. In fact, I will most likely search out and inform all the Daily Sound's advertisors that I will not be supporting advertisors who associate themselves with such divisive and bigoted works written by such a dolt..."

Jakub

Typical Republican : 2/13/2009

Stupid, self-centered, and mean.

ianam

To Jakub the Jeep Liberty driver : 2/13/2009

Thank you for your support and for sharing the road safely with the rest of us. We're all just trying to get to where we're going, and we all want to get home safely at the end of the day, regardless of what vehicle we use (including bicycles which are lawful road vehicles). Gina, here's your chance to do something constructive for a change. Read all the comments posted here and think long and hard about your potentially lethal attitude before you get behind the wheel again. Chances are you'll save a life.

a cyclist and a father of 3 young children

Daily Sound = Not Smart : 2/13/2009

Dear Daily Sound, Is this really the image you'd like to build? That your scrappy little broadsheet is so desperate for attention that it will print the most ignorant claptrap available just to get a rise out of readers? After Perry's hate-filled diatribe against the homeless, and now this ignorant tripe suggesting cars and bicycles don't belong on the same public streets, I guess your plan worked on me this time, DS. But not again. In a country filled with educated and skilled journalists recently laid off from their work, the pre-pubescent mind of Ms. Perry is the best you can do? In a state smothered under numberless woes, a gas guzzling, bawling contempt for bicyclists is the best Ms. Perry's dull little synapses can conjure up? Oh please. I won't bother myself to comment on such idiocy again. As long as the likes of Perry spoil your pages, I'll pass it by - AS I WALK TO WORK EVERYDAY - just as I do the Newspress. A bunch of children, all of you.

There are better things to do

You are ignorant : 2/13/2009

"...taking up half of MY lane." Read the laws. It's not YOUR lane. I challenge you to commute by bicycle a few times a week for a few weeks. I have a feeling your opinion will change. If not, well at least you tried, which says so much more than your ignorant opinion right now.

ben burleson

Poster child of ignorance : 2/13/2009

Your comment about "a bicyclist who is taking up half of my lane" says it all. Per the Cal Vehicle Code, if a bicycle is in the lane, he/she has every right and responsibility as any other vehicle and as they are riding ahead of you, I would suggest that you are in their lane.

regularrider

Haters! : 2/13/2009

Wow am I the only one here that's not going to hate on the author of this piece? Okay then. If the lane being occupied by an SUV doesn't belong to the SUV that is occupying it, then who DOES it belong to? Surely not the skinny guy with the atrocious spandex pants on the bicycle? Bringing a bike into the driving lane is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Too many times I have had to swerve into the left lane because the road-hogging bicyclist is not occupying the BIKE LANE that was constructed specifically for their use! As for the careless drivers who roll through stop signs, well, just this week I almost killed a bicyclist as I was doing the speed limit down De La Vina. This guy came flying across DLV on Sola and never stopped at the stop sign, as is required by law. I had to slam on the brakes to not hit the guy. All you high and mighty eco-bikers ought not excoriate all drivers when some of those amongst you clearly put YOURSELVES in danger by not obeying the laws of the road we all share. And if we follow the suggestions of some of the posters here and get rid of cars altogether how would we get to work on a day like today? I was out running errands this morning and, funny, I didn't see on bike rider out in the rain today. So how do you bikers commute on rain days? Oh that's right, this is SB. Just pull that Range Rover out of the garage and fire her up. Hypocrites? Oh and Gina, don't get down. I saw this article yesterday but didn't decide to post here until I saw that Craig Smith called you stupid. Hilarious how the lefties ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS go to the namecalling!!! Getting called stupid by Craig Smith is like being told you're "slow" by a four year old kid with Down's Syndrome. Get over yourself Craig! You're not as bright or as popular as you think you are!

M.C. Confrontation

Ownership : 2/13/2009

The lanes belong to the City. They are provided to the public for transportation purposes regardless of mode of transportation (so long as it has wheels). Anybody trying to claim ownership of a lane has the wrong mindset. We are all traveling somewhere and we need to all do our best to help make sure everyone gets where they're going safely. Cyclists who run red lights do so at the risk of getting killed. A police officer seeing that violation will write a ticket. Running stop signs and red lights is a violation whether it's on a bike or in a car.

Stupid is as stupid does : 2/13/2009

I believe Craig Smith called Perry small minded, not stupid. There is a big difference there, M.C. (I could interject something here about how conservatives ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS confuse confrontation with debate and reason, but I prefer to paint the world with more colors than two, Mr. Confrontation.) Still, Smith is incorrect. Perry is stupid! For instance, she writes: "In Santa Barbara, there is always more than one way to get to where you want to go." Now, every line this psuedo writer manages to construct is good for a laugh, but only a true simpleton would pretend such a vacuous phrase propels her already dimwitted argument. I won't insult any of you by explaining how boneheaded of a thing this is to not only say, but write in a newspaper and sign your name too it. The Sound should be assamed for publishing such foolishness.

M.C. Reason

Spandex Donning High and Mighties : 2/13/2009

M.C. Reason: If every line that the writer produces is good for a laugh, then how loud did you howl when you read "A bicyclist who has trouble navigating congested and heavily traveled city streets should seek an alternate and safer route to his destination." Is this not good advice? I'm pretty sure it's not written to be humorous. I would suggest the same, especially to new riders who are not as comfortable or familiar with the rules and etiquette of urban bike travel as the self-righteous posters here. As for the comments deriding her calling her SUV "mid-sized" I think you may have stopped reading right there since she compares her vehicle to buses and 18 wheelers in the same parenthetical phrase. It's just another example of you folks only hearing what you want to hear from a perceived right winger. Still, concerning the ownership of a lane I pose this question: If I'm driving the speed limit on any given road, a bicyclist is occupying space in the lane in front of me, and there is no room to pass, isn't the bicyclist breaking a law by not meeting the minimum speed levels to maintain the natural flow of traffic? My grandmother was once pulled over for not driving fast enough in a 45 mph zone. Why is there a double standard for bicyclists who cannot maintain these minimum speeds yet do not allow vehicles to pass? Fair question, no?

M.C. Confrontation

: 2/13/2009

Mr. Confrontation, To answer your first question, I didn't so much howl as chuckle. After all, that wasn't the dumbest thing Perry lathered on about. As for your second question, I've yet to find these mythical congestion-free routes downtown during rush hour, but if motorists are in such a hurry and so incensed by bicyclists, why don't they seek these magical wide open paths? If you find yourself stuck behind a bicyclist, why don't you turn off the road and find an alternative route? Why do you profess a double standard towards which vehicles must make accomodations for another? And pardon the rant, but to every twit behind the wheel of an SUV talking on their cell phone while swerving to avoid hitting me while negotating a four-way stop, let me remind you that if you do hit me, I am the one receiving the short end of the deal, so forgive me if it makes me a little mad. I digress. So, to help you with your final dilemma, If you're driving the speed limit on any given road, a bicyclist is occupying space in the lane in front of you, and there is no room to pass, find yourself a different route. If it's so easy for a bicylist to do this, it must be just as easy for you.

M.C. Reason

Counterproposal : 2/13/2009

I have a counterproposal, Gina -- we'll make a deal, just between you and me. I'll pledge not to ride like a jerk. I won't weave in and out of lanes, I'll wait my turn at stoplights, and I'll ride as visibly and predictably as I can. Heck, I'll even stick to the side roads when possible. But in return, you have to pledge not to drive like a jerk. You'll watch out for cyclists, give them enough space to maneuver (and the right of way when it's legally theirs) and you won't work yourself into a case of road rage about having to change lanes in order to safely pass. So have we a deal? Please think about it. It's win-win and it won't cost a dime.

Jason

Mr. Reason, : 2/13/2009

That's a fair enough argument. But it doesn't answer my middle question, which was this: Isn't it breaking some kind of flow of traffic, minimum speed on the road law when a bike obstructs a car in such a manner? I honestly don't know and was looking for some enlightenment. In my home state it is a vehicular law, and I'd venture to guess that it somehow translates over to bikes too, since we all know that they are supposed to adhere to the same rules as cars. As for drivers on phones, I understand that the PD is finally pulling people over for this. I have a work colleague who got popped for it last week. Drivers should not be talking on their phones while behind the wheel. Subsequently, bicyclists should not reach around to that weird pouch they have on their back stitched into their tight, stretchy shirts, to retrieve whatever it is that they keep in there.

M.C. Confrontation

: 2/13/2009

Mr. Confrontation, They keep their weed back there. Anyways, I share your ignorance on the subject of minimum speeds and such. And the most reasonable solution to poor suffering Perry's petty problem is for everyone to simply follow the rules. Also, I find even more common ground with you on the dislike of cycle fashion. I just wear whatever I've got on. In no way do I support the spandex clad people with tight shirts that look as if a melted box of neon Crayola's puked all over them. I do have my standards. (I keep my grass in the little zip bag under the seat, for instance.)

M.C. Reason

Gina Needs To Read : 2/13/2009

Gina needs to read the traffic laws of the State of California, which, as a citizen of said state, you are obliged to follow. Yes, that includes recognizing bicycles are vehicles upon the road, and you have to share the road with them. Sorry to burst your self-absorbed bubble.

Joe

Right On, Reason : 2/13/2009

Well alright then. Haha, I always use that line from the Schneider SNL skit, "you put your weeeeeed in there." That's funny you should bring it up. Here's to hoping that cars and bikes can get along on our streets, and that we don't have any fatal collisions between the two in this new year. Now don't bogart that thing, pass it over here.

M.C. Confrontation

Putting it Another Perspecive : 2/13/2009

To be honest, calm is the last adjective I’d use to describe my emotions when I have to change lanes during rush hour to avoid hitting a unattentive driver who is cutting me off to turn into Mc Donalds to stuff down a Big Mac without looking.Consider the following: A Chevrolet Suburban (a mid-sized vehicle if you consider the size and weight of trucks and buses traversing city roadways) weighs about eight thousand pounds. Conservatively speaking, so does an African elephant. The average person driving that vehicle weighs between 90 and 240 pounds - the size of your average Big Mac. A motorist who has trouble navigating congested and heavily traveled city streets should seek an alternate and safer route to his destination. (In Santa Barbara, there is always more than one way to get to where you want to go.) An adult who allowed a toddler to play with an elephant would be considered unreasonable (on a good day) by most community standards. Motorists who choose to dance with bicyclists must be aware – at some level I would think - of the perilous position in which they place others lives. Instead, the City should require bitter motorists within city limits to travel alternate routes during heavy traffic hours and/or avoid heavily traveled roadways altogether unless absolutely necessary. Think about it. It’s a win-win and it won’t cost a dime.

Scott Hendren-Santa Barbara

Bicyclists and motor vehicular traffic : 2/13/2009

Ms Perry seems to think that motor vehicles have the right-of-way on city streets, taking priority over bicyclists, pedestrians, and buses. It seems that anything that gets in her way makes Ms Perry angry. I refer her to the motor vehicle code: Pedestrians, bicycles, and buses all have priority over private passenger cars. I happen to be one of the bicyclists that make her mad. From hard experience, I have learned to pedal at least three feet out from parked cars, to avoid getting "doored." (People open their driver's side doors without first checking their mirrors to see if a bicycle is approaching. This practice has injured many bicyclists; so we learn to give the car doors a wide berth.) This puts me and my bicycle squarely in what Ms Perry considers "her" lane. Rather than restricting bicyclists to side streets during rush hours (most of us prefer to do that, anyway), perhaps motor vehicle drivers should educate themselves about the rules of the road, and learn about courtesy -- like refraining from "dooring" bicyclists. The Motor-Vehicle Code right-of-way priorities reflect the environmental benignity of our modes of transport: 1) walking; 2) bicycles; 3) buses; 4) private passenger cars. I encourage everyone -- including Ms Perry -- to consider "alternative" modes of transportation, not only for the sake of the environment, but also for their own health. Trying another means of getting around town would open up Ms Perry's eyes and mind to why motor vehicles have LAST, not first priority on our city streets.

Lorien Davy

minimum speed : 2/13/2009

MC said; "If I'm driving the speed limit on any given road, a bicyclist is occupying space in the lane in front of me, and there is no room to pass, isn't the bicyclist breaking a law by not meeting the minimum speed levels to maintain the natural flow of traffic?" A vehicle cannot be cited if it is traveling as fast as it can reasonably be expected to be driven. This is true for street-sweepers, farm equipment and bicycles. In these cases, it is the slower vehicle that determines what the "natural flow of traffic" is. In other words, bicycles ARE traffic. Perhaps it would come as a surprise for Gina that California law says that it is the DUTY of every driver to pass slower vehicles with due care and in a safe manner. In fact, the law compels you to do so even if the other vehicle is not being driven in a lawful manner! I would suggest, Gina, that you put down your cell phone and pay attention to the street in front of you- you will avoid having to make as many sudden lane changes to avoid hitting slower traffic in front of you.

DogBait

A cleaner environment : 2/14/2009

It seems that a person like yourself that lives in California, would be at least fairly up to date about the concerns with the environment. I find it sad that you are so against bicyclists. Not only is there a mind-body health maintained through the act of bicycling, but those who are riding on a bike are not riding in a "mid-sized" Suburban. A gas guzzling form of transportation. For information's sake: A 2008 Chevy Suburban gets 14 mpg in the city and only 16 mpg on the highway. A bicycle gets unlimited mpg. If you want to drive your "mid-sized" Suburban, fine. But, please don't put down the entire bicycling community for living a healthy, constructive life and helping the environment.

Female bicyclist in Asheville, NC

Common sense : 2/14/2009

Does this make so much common sense that the activists who have now turned biking into a religion declare a jidad?

yikes

Gina Perry relegates bicycling to 2nd class transportation : 2/14/2009

If Gina Perry wants to see traffic congestion I suggest every bicyclist should start driving around in SUVs. Having suffered idiotic drivers in my bicycling commuting of the past 30 years, I have searched out every possible alternative to crowded streets. However, there are some legs of the journey where State Street is unavoidable unless I took another 46 minutes on my way to and from downtown. Bicyclist just want to get to work, run an errand, or get home to start dinner just like drivers do. I submit, Gina Perry should take alternate routes and spend another five minutes in her journey rather than be delayed for 30 seconds when a bicyclist takes up half the lane. The Goleta Valley Cycling Club has worked for decades to improve bicycle safety in our area. The funds from our annual People Powered Ride go to the Bicycle Coalition, safety classes for kids and adults, helmets for kids, bicycle lights and bells. We support the work of the Coaltion because they tirelessly point out where traffic planners do not consider the bicyclist. What makes a motorized vehicle the most important?

Horrible Stawman : 2/14/2009

It's a horrible strawman trying to compare the average amateur driving a massive SUV to a professional driver commandeering a truck or a bus. Even the licensing is wholly different. Really garbage editorial. Your newspaper is horrible.

Concerned Citizen

another throwaway article : 2/15/2009

Yet another stupid article by an ignorant cager bashing cyclists for no reason. You own a car not the road, remember that silly.

crawd

Elephants on the Rampage : 2/15/2009

When a circus elephant goes on a rampage, it usually ends with the elephant being shot.

AviationMetalSmith

You're blinded by your biggotry : 2/15/2009

"the average bicycle weighs between 20 and 40 pounds" ...I'm not surprised that you don't see the HUMAN BEING on the bicycle, not surprised at all. Tells me all i need to know about your character (or lack thereof).

Fred

This is a joke, right? : 2/16/2009

You drive your egocentric self around in your big-ass SUV, drop your fat kids off at school, pick your fat kids up again and then go home and spew about how everyone else doesn't get it. You are the reason my slim, trim kids feel too intimidated to ride their bikes to school. If you could see the forest for the trees, you would realize what a disservice you are doing to your own fat kids and to the community by being such a selfish blowhard.

P-O'd Parent

Stupid Gina = Readers : 2/16/2009

Well all, Gina has won. She gets the readers to the Daily Sound website and that's what her job is. It's not to write honorable, intellectual, news worthy articles but rather to get people talking by whatever means possible. The best thing everyone here can do is to pick one, two or as many advertisers as you want and let them know that if they continue to support idiotic rants like Gina is so good at by advertising with the Daily Sound then there is no other recourse but to boycott those businesses. I know the good upstanding businesses of Santa Barbara will agree when they find out what the articles say below their advertisements and will promptly pressure the editor to give Gina the boot. Oh yeah, Gina, go ahead and hit me with your car while I'm on my bike. I've always wondered what it would be like to own a newspaper.

BOYCOTT

WTF? : 2/16/2009

I am more shocked and appalled by the comments on this page than I am by what Gina Perry writes. What the F@#$ is wrong with you people. Have you lost your mother-loving minds? Gina Perry writes an opinion piece you don't agree with and the only response you can conjure up is to attack her and her family -- and the Daily Sound -- personally. You call Gina ignorant, but your comments only stoop to her level. Give me a break. If I didn't know better, I'd think half the people who've commented here are still in grade school. This is play-ground bullying, not constructive criticism or rebuttal. I see no one here passed high school debate. We've spent the past two-and-a-half year fighting the News-Press because of their bias reporting and one-sided opinion pages and now, with the Daily Sound, we got what we wished for and it's still not good enough? Threats and name calling is no way to deal with something you don't agree with. Grow up already. If you don't like what Gina Perry has to read, then don't read it. But to come on here and take personal jabs at her, her family and her employer is unconscionable. Don't hate the player, hate the game!

Jim Durier - Yeah, I used my real name! What?

OK Analogy : 2/16/2009

I don't see what y'all fail to see in Gina's analogy. A Suburban weighs 8,000 lbs and a bicycle weighs 30 lbs. Sure, you can add the weight of the human on the bike, but you have the add the weight of the humans in the suburban, too. And When you're dealing with an EIGHT THOUSAND pound SUV, what difference is a 150 pound bike rider going to make? Santa Barbara is a dangerous city to ride you bike it. Period. I'm sorry if you don't want to hear the truth.

It's Pat!

hahahaha!!! boycott? come on. : 2/17/2009

Hilarious. "Everybody boycott the Daily Sound because someone wrote an editorial you don't like!" It's so like a liberal to want to silence any opposing view. Vote YES on the fairness doctrine!!! You people are a bunch of Neo-Marxists.

M.C. Confrontation

Cars, trucks, trains, planes, vs walking and biking - guess who wins? : 2/18/2009

Yes - laws or no laws, the lane that is not marked "bike lane" is generally considered one in which cars should be looked out for by bicyclists FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY YOU FOOLS!! Your choice of transportation, if it is walking or cycling, has designated safe areas for you to exercise your choice. There are always safer places to intersect with cars or trucks. If you are in such a hurry that you can't dismount and walk around a busy intersection then you should drive!! STAY WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE SIDEWALK OR BIKE LANE and don't blame the cars when you are too stupid to watch out for yourself! Stay out of the CAR lane and we will stay off the sidewalk and out of the bike lane - DEAL? If you as a bicyclist are concerned about your safety then don't take irresponsible risks! LOOK OUT FOR CARS STUPID, BECAUSE THEY WILL WIN EVERY TIME! Whether or not you are "right" or whether or not biking is "popular" is little consolation when you are under the wheels of a bus, dummy. But if you want to continue to make political statements with your body then good luck with that!

Aaron Shaw

Daily sound deleted my message : 2/18/2009

Way to delete my previous message about letting the advertisers of the daily sound know just how everyone feels about the daily sound articles written by Gina Perry. Keep in mind the daily sound pays Gina for readership and she does it, through idiotic rants of uber-stupidity. Write, call, email, or talk to in person all of the advertisers seen on Gina Perry's articles about demanding to stop their advertisements on pages with her articles on them.

Goleta bike rider

: 2/18/2009

Hey Mr. Boycott. Both of your idiotic comments are still there. I wish the Daily Sound would delete them. You're a fool.

Ego-centric drivers : 2/18/2009

""Persons who ride bicycles on heavily traveled roadways impede intended traffic flow, cause congestion, and are a danger to themselves and others."" Here, I'll fix it for you: "Persons who drive SUVs on heavily traveled roadways impede intended traffic flow, cause congestion, and are a danger to themselves and others." It's NOT a CAR lane. It's a TRAFFIC lane. Bikes are TRAFFIC.

Andy

Maybe Gina should ride an elephant.... : 2/24/2009

Gina - look at the traffic, parking congestion, angry and frustrated motorists. We need more people using bicycles to get around - not less. Those who ride will be healthier and easier on the environment.

Michael B

Ignorant, faulty associations : 3/21/2009

You can't possibly be serious. Unlike African elephants and toddlers, motor vehicle operators and cyclists are capable of making competent, rational and reasonable decisions. Well, the cyclists are anyway, apparently. Unfortunately, we're riddled with impatient, moronic drivers who are too important to be inconvenienced and robbed of precious seconds when they have to change a lane to avoid a slower vehicle, particularly one limited to muscle power alone. SHARE THE ROAD.

Andy

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Gina Get out of your cave : 8/30/2009

Who in the HELL IN SB DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THE Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND FOREVER. HAS GINA NEVER BEEN TO A LOCAL BIKE EVENT OR EVEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL DAY. THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE AND DO A GREAT JOB THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND. BUT THIS FAT ASS JUST PROBABLY SITS IN HER CAVE AND RIDES HER MERCEDES LIKE THYNE USED To. WHAT AN INSULT TO BICYCLISTS. SBBC HAS DONE GREAT THINGS IN TOWN. WHY HURT THE BIKERS IN TOWN. EVERYONE JUST DRIVES AROUND THIS TOWN IS GETTING TOO WILD.

SBBC

solutions rather than arrogance : 8/30/2009

It seems Gina has struck a nerve. Let's be real. The population of SB was @70,000 when I moved here in 2000. Now it's 90,000. There is a lot more congestion from bikes, cars, and pedestrians than there ever has been. There aren't enough bike lanes to conduct bike traffic everywhere in the city. Bicyclists often use sidewalks and car lanes to cut across to other bike lane areas in the city. Unfortunately, there are rude drivers and there are rude bicyclists. I've almost hit a few that didn't feel they needed to stop at a stop sign when I was about to cross with the right of way. I've also nearly been shoved off a sidewalk by bicyclists. It seems everyone needs to stop retreating into their "I've got the right to ride / drive as I see fit' mindset, and come up with something more workable for everyone. Why does State St even have car traffic? You can't hardly move on it, and the parallel streets of Chapala and Anacapa can handle the traffic. Why not make State up to Mission completely bicycle traffic? And why not make additional bike lanes around the city? It seems like the bike lanes are made for recreational traffic. Thanks to gas price spikes and traffic, more people are using bikes to get around. This is a good thing, but the roads haven't changed much to accommodate them as mainstream traffic. Let's work out some solutions to handle the increase in bike traffic, and make the streets better for all users.

sharon

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This "Columnist" can't be real. : 9/6/2009

I have come to the conclusion that either this "columnist" is an absolute moron after reading her previous columns or this is done merely to incite ridicule and therefore more traffic on The Daily Sound website. I am beginning to believe it is the latter. I can't believe anybody is as stupid as this writer projects herself to be. Her petulant and childish remark about her emotional state when she has to pass a bicyclist is just laughable. She writes "calm is the last adjective I’d use to describe my emotions when I have to change lanes during rush hour to avoid hitting a bicyclist who is taking up half of my lane." She thinks that bicyclists take up "her lane". Is anybody really dumb enough to think they own the public roads? You should read her previous "columns". This person has to be a joke or a tool to bring interest to this website. If not, she is scary stupid at best or a sociopath at worst. Most probably she is a combination of both as well as a tenderfoot recent graduated of a high school journalism class. Pathetic! It is a shame that the Daily Sound feels the need to use these nonsensical ploys to garner readers.

SV

Traffic Congestion : 9/6/2009

Sorry, but there is one more thing I want to bring to this "columnists" attention. Santa Barbara rush hour traffic is hardly a thing to be concerned about. If you think it is bad, you truly are as provincial as you present yourself to be. Time to grow up.

SV