Total Serious Happy Thread

[lashbear]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Wow, I just inscribed a copy of my book to Kevin Brownlow. What a mind twister that is!

WOW.

...of course, he IS of the perfect demographic for your readership, isn't he?

[Tref]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Wow, I just inscribed a copy of my book to Kevin Brownlow. What a mind twister that is!

Congrats! While you are at it, ask Brownlow what the deal is with his film, A Hard Act to Follow. It has never been released on DVD!

(Pic Related)

[alphabassettgrrl]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Yep, punched.

I've found a simple "Passing on your left" suffices just fine. Or, if I want just a noise, a quick flick of a brake lever does the trick.

See, the thing was built as a bike trail. I don't mean to sound snobbish, but bikers are sharing it with [/color][/color]them, not the other way around. Not that I in any way think that people shouldn't be using it as a walking path, perfectly fine. But the reason those stupid signs and regulations are so galling is they indicate an attitude that says that bikes, on a bike path, are an imposition and that preference should be given to non-bikers.

That's weird. Yeah, there should be more respect for bikes on a bike path. And why do people seem to react so badly to a bike bell? I've found the sound carries further than my voice when I need to let someone know I'm there.

Originally Posted by flippyshark

I had a bell, and found that it provoked far worse reactions and responses than alternatives such as GD describes.

I don't get it, I really don't. Why are people so upset over a bell?

[CoasterMatt]

How do you feel about a three horn airhorn powered by a small compressor?

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by CoasterMatt

How do you feel about a three horn airhorn powered by a small compressor?

Ya know, that's what I'd add if I found that people on my regular route were bothered by a stupid squeak or bell. If they're going to be so uptight, might as well give them something to actually be uptight over.

Or, I'd just make sure to hand them a coupon for Fleet as I pass.

[Alex]

I don't really have a problem with bells or horns, I just find them pointless. They don't really provide any information of value beyond "hey, there's a bike somewhere around here" which I probably already knew. Either they do nothing or they cause the one thing that I would think you don't want caused: an unpredictable change in movement by the pedestrian.

I don't really need bikes to announce themselves any more than I need cars to honk their horns as they approach me if I'm walking on the side of the road. They just need to not hit me, and not skim past me so close that I fear a poorly times stray movement on my part would have caused them to hit me. And if that can't be done without honking me into moving out of your way then tough titty, you'll have to slow down and wait until conditions permit you to do so. To meet halfway, I promise not to walk down the street or bike path in a random zigzag full of sudden changes in speed.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by alphabassettgrrl

That's weird. Yeah, there should be more respect for bikes on a bike path. And why do people seem to react so badly to a bike bell? I've found the sound carries further than my voice when I need to let someone know I'm there.
[/color]

Yes. That is why it's annoying.

I thought bells and horns were for kids, and maybe women in flowy dresses and floppy hats riding in slow motion on beach cruisers equipped with woven baskets on the handlebars with faux flowers attached.

For the record I've always wanted to be one of those women. But I can see why someone who actually commutes on a bike would be annoyed by it...and why a man who commutes on a bike would seem ridiculous making the cha-ching, cha-ching or cutesy honk honk of a bulb horn.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Sometimes I think it's best if the pedestrian doesn't know I'm there, but I kind of feel that it's rude. So I honk. If I wait until I'm within voice distance, I'm past them almost before I get through the phrase "passing on your left".

Had a good one the other day- woman with kids was going the opposite way. *Squeak* goes my horn, and the kids see me. They *ding!* back, and everybody goes their merry way with no collisions. Kids learned that you should announce yourself (for the most part), they didn't hit me (which can happen; kids are unpredictable about their course), and I expect they felt a littel validated because someone acknowledged their existance. So yeah, for the most part, I *squeak* to announce myself most of the time.

[MouseWife]

I struggle with that every time I come upon someone. Will it freak them out if I tweak my bell? Kids are very unpredictable. Even if they are going past you and seem okay, they can wiggle out of control. I think that is true, you gave them recognition! I try and always respond when kids say something to me, acknowledge their presence, their value. :0)

I've found that you have to use a bell. Of course, I ride the bike paths which are shared with people. The Strand, the Boardwalk, and, any bike path is always shared with walkers, skaters.

In the street, maybe not so much. I think you need a brick in that case, to get through to some of the ignorant drivers. Or rather, I wish I HAD one when some of them pull out in front of me like I'm not even there. Happens when I'm out walking, too. These moms, running late, on the route the kids walk to school on, running stop signs without looking. If me, an adult, thinks it is safe to cross, a child would most definitely and maybe not stop!!

Crazy huh? You'd think people with kids would look more for kids? I always look for bicyclists/motorcyclists/walkers/runners.

ha ha maybe I'm too distracted of a driver if I'm always looking for these people?

[CoasterMatt]

I usually just pedal as fast as I can and scream "OUT OF MY MOTHERF***ING WAY, GRANDMA!!!"