So, it’s possible [okay, very probable] that I bike a lot more than most of my friends. Call it my newest obsession, or call it my own small little way to save the planet, but I’ve been biking to work almost every day for the past 2 months and I love it. It’s saved me a slew on gas, and I’m in better shape than I was even in highschool.
But out of all that positive, Nashville, I’ve got one big bone to pick with you. Now, I’ve lived in this city for almost 8 years now, and while I’ve never known the drivers to be “great”, it’s something that’s sort of expected of any metropolitan area with lots of different people. What kills me about Nashville, however, are driver’s blatant ignorance of traffic laws… and when you add a bicycle into the mix, it just gets even worse.
More than 3 or 4 times just this week, I’ve been either “motioned to” or honked at by passing motorists trying to tell me I was either (a) going too slow for them or (b) should be using the sidewalk. In a few instances, I’ve even been flipped the bird. Now, hear me out. I usually bike in the rather metro areas of town: From Belmont on the bike path, down Demonbruen [still on a bike path] and then down to 2nd Ave. to cross the walking bridge into East Nashville and on. Half the time when I’m riding, I’m matching the speed of cars beside me. The other half, I’m respectfully a good 6 inches from the curb.
My last straw broke today as I was biking back from down 12th ave. South. I cross over to 12th ave. from the bike path on Belmont for about 2 blocks because it’s faster… and I don’t ride on the sidewalk there because (a) I don’t have too because I’m legal on the street and (b) it’s illegal for bicycles to operate on the sidewalk in business districts where there are restaurants or shops [observe my link to the actual bike code] …. and there are just too many freakin people on the sidewalk to dodge! So, of course, in the 2 blocks I’m on the road, a sporty little Lexus comes up behind me who just can’t handle the 20 mph I’m doing on the side with my bike, and passes me [which, totally normal and fine] but then proceeds to slow down in front of me, turn around, and point at the sidewalk?!
Now don’t get me wrong. I love my neighborhood, and most of the time even the snooty people that live there… but c’mon man, grow a heart! Or at least read enough to know that my self-powered, 100% Green, energy efficient bicycle has just as much right on the road as your Luxury, Gas Guzzling, Economy Killing, Trust Fund Child Bearing Sports Car!
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ad finem
That’s enough for my rant… but all this to say, I’m soon to be making T-shirts to help fund my record, most of which will be artsy and have pieces of my lyrics on them. But today… today was inspiration for a new one. And trust me, I’ll be buying one for myself and wearing it whenever I bike.
Seeya on the road.
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