PET peeve # 756

Uh, excuse me, but is this allowed?

Do they really need to take up room on the sidewalk as well as use up one of our scarce bike racks? Must I be forced to risk a confrontation with a potentially vicious dog who is likely to perceive himself as having been assigned to guard the bike rack?

Since a dog, unlike a bicycle, can easily be attached to a nearby tree or car, can't they be satisfied with that? Raise your hand if you have ever heard the pictured apparatus referred to as a dog rack.

Parking for a bicycle is limited by the size of its lock, and most cyclists use U-locks, which will only fit around a bike rack or sign post. I for one do not appreciate being left with no alternative but to approach a strange dog. You never know what animal might spontaneously decide to bite your leg off. You may think you know, but you don't. Even if it's your own dog, you don't know, so don't say that you do. Animals are animals, they are not people. As the saying goes, you can't teach morals to a gorilla. What about that so-called "tame" tiger that mauled the circus performer a couple of years ago, his trainer and source of food for at least ten years? See?

As you can see from the photo, I went ahead and parked my bike there anyway, thereby risking my personal safety. Give me one reason why I should have to undergo this kind of trauma just because I want to park my bicycle.

Peeve No. 863: Passing while stupid

Here's one of the things I brought up at the Women's Bike Forum the other night, and it turns out I'm not the only one with this PEEVE.

When other cyclists pass me, they usually allow about: half an inch. of clearance room. I'm always relieved that I didn't happen to wiggle over to the left at that particular split second. You know? Because how often do you wiggle over slightly when you're riding a bike? Like all the time, right? And why? Because! -- there might be a blip on the road that you swerve to avoid, or a big stone, or a gust of wind that throws you off balance for a second. For whatever reason, bicyling is not a perfectly straight line activity, by its very nature.

What you're supposed to do is yell "On your left!" before you pass someone. That way, I can make sure I don't wiggle while you're passing. The interesting factoid I want to point out is this: When I do hear those magic words, "on your left," nine times out of ten they're in a woman's voice. Nine times out of ten, no lyin.

You can make of that what you will.

(And if you don't believe me, read Jeff's comment on my posting of yesterday -- and he's not even a girl. So there.)