Claire Petersky recently posted a message on the Cascade Bicycle Club message board that reminded me of an Andy Rooney piece a few years ago where he was responding to complaints that news only covers the negative side of everything.
He imagined a newscast which reported where:
(Reprinted with permission from Claire Petersky)
What didn't happen today:
I didn't forget my lunch. I didn't forget to fill my water bottle before I left. I didn't leave the house late.
There wasn't a cloud in the sky. It wasn't too cold or too hot, being in the lower 60s (F). with a light breeze. It wasn't raining, but in fact was sunny and pleasant. In the one very open spot of the ride to work, on the Floating Bridge, there was no headwind. Because there wasn't a lot of smog or haze, I had a nice view of Mt. Rainier.
When I passed dogs, all the dogs were behind a fence or on a leash. The one dog that showed a vague interest in chasing me was immediately reined in by its owner.
When I signaled for a left turn on to 172nd from NE 8th, the driver coming the other direction did not unnecessarily give up the right of way, but made eye contact and continued down the hill, allowing me to execute my turn in a safe and lawful manner.
Everyone, including me, took his/her proper turn at the four way stop at Lake Hills Blvd and 156th in accordance with the law.
At the intersection of Lake Hills Blvd and 148th, three cars made a right next to me while I was waiting at the intersection. The cars were: a female driver in her 30s with a minivan filled with screaming kids; an elderly man driving a Cadillac; a man in his 40s in an SUV talking on his cell phone. Each car signaled, and then made the right turn without endangering me in the slightest.
When I was going close to the speed limit on Kamber Road, the vehicle behind me did not attempt to pass, but allowed me to remain in my lane as I descended the hill.
The commercial white van at the bottom of the hill looking to turn on to Kamber did not leap out in front of me, but properly judged my speed, and waited until I passed by.
When there was broken glass in the bike lane on Richard's Road, I looked and signaled a lane change into the all-vehicle lane. The silver Vibe that was behind a ways had no difficulties in passing me, and did not force me back into the glass-strewn lane.
The black sports car at the off-ramp in Factoria made eye contact with me when I called out, "bicycle!" and did not attempt a right turn while I crossed the street.
Also, please note, my bike triggered all the lights that it needed to at every signalized intersection.
The pedestrians on the multi-use path who were walking three and four abreast, when I let them know that a bicycle was behind them, moved to one side, allowing me to pass safely and easily.
Generally, all the other cyclists who I passed - probably at least two-dozen on this sunny morning - all smiled, or nodded at me. A cute guy with a soul patch even said "hi". The few who didn't were obviously concentrating on the road, and probably in their individual situations it's just as well they didn't look up. All cyclists were operating their bicycles in a safe, courteous, and lawful manner, with one exception - an older guy was riding without a helmet, not a capital offence in my book.
No one entered the traffic circle too fast on Hiawatha. No one made a sudden or unsignalized right turn into Chinatown from Dearborn. Everyone allowed me to change three lanes over on busy 4th Avenue so I can veer left on to Prefontaine. I had no conflicts with buses either on Prefontaine or on 3rd Avenue. I easily executed my left turn on to Madison, and there was no one blocking the entrance to the parking garage. There was space at the bike rack for me to park my bike.
I probably waited no more than 3 seconds for the elevator to appear to take me up to my office. There was plenty of hot water for the shower. I had sufficient undergarments in my file cabinet to change into after my shower.
In fact, really, not a lot happened on the way into work today.
- planes took off and landed safely.
- Florida was hit by another night of average weather. ``The oranges just hung in there and grew.''
- General Motors announced that 174,000 Chevrolets would not be recalled because they were all perfect.
(Reprinted with permission from Claire Petersky)
What didn't happen today:
I didn't forget my lunch. I didn't forget to fill my water bottle before I left. I didn't leave the house late.
There wasn't a cloud in the sky. It wasn't too cold or too hot, being in the lower 60s (F). with a light breeze. It wasn't raining, but in fact was sunny and pleasant. In the one very open spot of the ride to work, on the Floating Bridge, there was no headwind. Because there wasn't a lot of smog or haze, I had a nice view of Mt. Rainier.
When I passed dogs, all the dogs were behind a fence or on a leash. The one dog that showed a vague interest in chasing me was immediately reined in by its owner.
When I signaled for a left turn on to 172nd from NE 8th, the driver coming the other direction did not unnecessarily give up the right of way, but made eye contact and continued down the hill, allowing me to execute my turn in a safe and lawful manner.
Everyone, including me, took his/her proper turn at the four way stop at Lake Hills Blvd and 156th in accordance with the law.
At the intersection of Lake Hills Blvd and 148th, three cars made a right next to me while I was waiting at the intersection. The cars were: a female driver in her 30s with a minivan filled with screaming kids; an elderly man driving a Cadillac; a man in his 40s in an SUV talking on his cell phone. Each car signaled, and then made the right turn without endangering me in the slightest.
When I was going close to the speed limit on Kamber Road, the vehicle behind me did not attempt to pass, but allowed me to remain in my lane as I descended the hill.
The commercial white van at the bottom of the hill looking to turn on to Kamber did not leap out in front of me, but properly judged my speed, and waited until I passed by.
When there was broken glass in the bike lane on Richard's Road, I looked and signaled a lane change into the all-vehicle lane. The silver Vibe that was behind a ways had no difficulties in passing me, and did not force me back into the glass-strewn lane.
The black sports car at the off-ramp in Factoria made eye contact with me when I called out, "bicycle!" and did not attempt a right turn while I crossed the street.
Also, please note, my bike triggered all the lights that it needed to at every signalized intersection.
The pedestrians on the multi-use path who were walking three and four abreast, when I let them know that a bicycle was behind them, moved to one side, allowing me to pass safely and easily.
Generally, all the other cyclists who I passed - probably at least two-dozen on this sunny morning - all smiled, or nodded at me. A cute guy with a soul patch even said "hi". The few who didn't were obviously concentrating on the road, and probably in their individual situations it's just as well they didn't look up. All cyclists were operating their bicycles in a safe, courteous, and lawful manner, with one exception - an older guy was riding without a helmet, not a capital offence in my book.
No one entered the traffic circle too fast on Hiawatha. No one made a sudden or unsignalized right turn into Chinatown from Dearborn. Everyone allowed me to change three lanes over on busy 4th Avenue so I can veer left on to Prefontaine. I had no conflicts with buses either on Prefontaine or on 3rd Avenue. I easily executed my left turn on to Madison, and there was no one blocking the entrance to the parking garage. There was space at the bike rack for me to park my bike.
I probably waited no more than 3 seconds for the elevator to appear to take me up to my office. There was plenty of hot water for the shower. I had sufficient undergarments in my file cabinet to change into after my shower.
In fact, really, not a lot happened on the way into work today.
.
Recent Comments
susan dennis on Hello Kitty bag: PLEASE tell me you have a matching outfit. Or at least a sn
jim on 22 seconds longer: John: I might be up for a New Year's Eve ride, ideally short
Stacy on 22 seconds longer: I'd like my mocha back, please. hee. Congratulations, Jim.
John on 22 seconds longer: Gee, I was hopin' you would need to join me for the new year