Thursday, June 30, 2005
Buzz Buzz Go Away
When out running, I usually find myself on long paved roads with bike lanes. Bike lanes just beat sidewalks, even with their hands tied behind their backs; you don't have to avoid pedestrians, asphalt really *is* softer, and there are fewer cracks and inconsistencies in a bike lane. I try to run on the left side of the road, but sometimes getting to that side is a major inefficiency, so I run on the right occasionally. Nevertheless, an inherent problem exists between stupid/mean drivers and running in a bike lane. WHY DO THESE DRIVERS HAVE TO BUZZ YOU GOING 10+ mph OVER THE SPEED LIMIT?!?!? Buzz--as in driving fast and on (or over) the white line, as in too damn close to me. Grr. They have plenty of room in their lane. I think these drivers' problem is that they are either completely distracted and don't see me, or they have a negative value on their self-esteem meter. They probably can't run or don't exercise and want to scare anyone out of exercising so they have less of a negative value in self-esteem land. They must resort to a huge metal extension of their bodies because their bodies alone are worthless. (That last sentence is also how I feel about people who must accelerate as fast as possible an who tailgate and weave through traffic every time they drive, but that is a different rant). Luckily, most drivers are conscientious and some even cross into the next lane to give me space.
