Don't enable the haters

From Dave Moulton’s blog this morning

This is a terribly important entry (please read it - he is far more eloquent than I am on the subject - but you know i'm going to try and add something else).

Please, everyone, when you are commuting by bike, training on a bike, just riding around, please follow ALL the motor vehicle traffic laws and signage. Sure half of the cars here don’t stop for stop signs but some do, and when cyclists stop for stop signs, stop lights. it helps everyone (cyclists as a whole). If you are wearing team clothing you are giving the people who see you a nice target and then everyone who wears that kit gets labeled. We look pretty different to each other but one cyclist looks like another to an outraged motorist. Finally here in the Ocean State it is legal (for some stupid reason) to ride on the sidewalk. Sidewalk riding may feel safer but it empowers those drivers who feel it necessary to yell at people on the road to “get on the sidewalk.”

Something to think about a bit as you are riding. Please don’t enable the haters.

Just because you can do it and get away without direct punishment, doesn't mean you should. We all have to ride out there, lets keep it safe w/o alienating and pissing off the people steering 2 ton bullets.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. And please stop handing them the stick.

heddwch
G