Morons

One evening this week I swapped roles and became a pedestrian on the route I usually bike-commute on, the sidewalk along Grand River Avenue between Okemos and East Lansing. I did the walk after dark, so I experienced all sorts of idiotic night-biking behavior.

There was the moron barreling along with no lights, no reflectors, at top speed. He had to slam on his brakes when I stepped in his path.

There was the moron . . . well, he wasn't exactly a moron . . . well, OK, he was almost a moron: He was roaring along in the heavy 45 mph two lanes no shoulder rush-hour traffic (remember, in the dark) as if he were one of them. You know: Same rules, same rights. He had magnificent lighting--multiple taillights, good bright headlight, reflectors galore--but, let's face it, he was asking to die. He will die honorably, doing the right thing, striking a blow for the cause of bicyclist equality, but dead is dead. Not a moron, but insane.

Then there were the two morons riding on the sidewalk (where, I'm sorry to say, considering how dangerous Grand River Avenue is, they belonged), with good headlights and other safety gear, but they were riding SIDE BY SIDE. On the sidewalk. In the dark. They forced me, the humble pedestrian, onto the grass.

People! When you must ride on the sidewalk in the dark, remember: Pedestrians have no lights; pedestrians are the rightful inhabitants of the sidewalk--you are an interloper; maybe, just maybe, it's a good idea to slow down a little; and (DUH!) use lights.