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Ken Schram is a
hypocrite.
He picks and chooses which laws should be enforced yet he complains about
cyclists doing the same thing.
He said in the past, "there's no respect for the law. I wonder how much that
has to do with legislators who pass bad ones."
If there can be bad laws why can't there be bad laws that apply to cycling
too?
Schram once complained about police stopping and ticketing motorists for
not wearing seatbelts. Another time he called for "some parking enforcement
leniency." Schram referred to laws targeting car owners as "stupid laws."
He also complained about the city tackling scooter laws by claiming that
the city "avoids focusing on the really tough transportation issues." Maybe
he should look in the mirror. Instead of complaining about a minor issue
like cyclists he too should focus "on the really tough transportational issues."
Wouldn't it be nice if guys like this shared the same attitude toward his
fellow motorists as he does toward cyclists. The rest of us would like to
share the road with motorists who "obey the rules and laws of the road” too.
When motorists break the law they say the laws are wrong. When they speed
they complain the speed limit should be raised. When they are caught it's
a "cash grab." It's the same with photo radar, red light cameras or seatbelts
Motorists like Schram (including over 40,000 dead every year) would be better
served if they waited until motorists themselves "obey[ed] the rules and
laws of the road," before they turn their attention to other road users.
Messenger Institute for Media Accuracy
Commentary
Time To Tick Off The Cyclists Again
KOMOTV, August 17, 2004
By Ken Schram
SEATTLE - A Seattle bike messenger stopped by to chat with me.
He was a nice enough guy who wanted to make it clear that he thinks I'm a
real jerk.
He doesn't like my attitude toward cyclists in general, and bike messengers
in particular.
Just to be clear: I have no problem sharing the road with cyclists - so long
as the cyclists obey the rules and laws of the road.
But I have no use for those who take it upon themselves to blow through red
lights, make illegal turns or, as I saw yesterday, go the wrong way on a
one-way street.
Anyway, bike messenger guy wanted to peddle his interpretation of traffic
laws, which is: They don't apply to him.
His rationale is that he's on a mission from God, or at least lawyers and
escrow agents.
I asked him why that should let him ignore red lights.
His answer: Because he can.
Now, it could just be me, but that's the kind of arrogant attitude I find
with a LOT of cyclists.
Maybe not most, but certainly many.
They've got this "I own the road" mentality that's infuriating, not to mention
dangerous.
I enjoyed explaining all that to bike messenger guy.
But I'll tell you what I'd enjoy even more: Watching cops giving tickets
to him and his pals.
I guess that's just the kind of jerk I am.
Want to share your thoughts with Ken Schram? You can e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com
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