Gothamist: Early Addition

smacky

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:27:50 -0500

Burritoville? Are f'n kidding me???

RatherBe

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:22:39 -0500

As per the reasons I explained. Unless you have anything more substantial to post here then petty whining about my safety then I suggest you give up on this, or pay me to deliver your tree and I'll show you how safe it is.

CR

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:02:12 -0500

"I was probably safer riding with the tree than I was without it."

RatherBe

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:50:39 -0500

Narrow handlebars make it easier to slip between vehicles, which is generally unsafe (however common). They don't make you any safer. I speak from experience having ridden a bike with a 10 inch handlebar span for two years in NYC. Based on the speeds I was riding to accommodate the load on my back and the extra width of the road I used, I was probably safer riding with the tree than I was without it. I got home safe because there's nothing especially dangerous about doing something like this if you're reasonably aware of what's going on around you. You can continue to disagree, but you're wrong about this being unsafe.

CR

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:00:21 -0500

"I never said that a wider bicycle was a safer bicycle, and if you think bike messengers are the epitome of safe cyclists, then you have your head up your ass." I never said that "messengers are the epitome of safe cyclists" did I? Please show me where in my above post I wrote that. However, on NYC streets, where there's lots of traffic, narrower handlebars are safer. I don't care if the bike is being ridden by a messenger or my grandma. Narrower handlebars are safer, period. And I'm sorry, but I disagree: a huge tree hanging sideways off the back of the bike is in danger of being doored, snagged on a car, or something. But if you disagree that's cool. Glad you got home safe. Enjoy the tree!

RatherBe

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:45:38 -0500

That doesn't make any sense at all - I wouldn't be doored in the situation you propose - part of the tree would. And it would likely just brush off the door. But again, I wasn't riding in the door zone so no chance of that happening. I never said that a wider bicycle was a safer bicycle, and if you think bike messengers are the epitome of safe cyclists, then you have your head up your ass.

CR

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:29:13 -0500

Yes! I am a huge idiot and my comment has ZERO validity because I left out a word. What was a thinking? You're right - you know EVERYTHING! I submit to you! I'm gonna go eat a handgun now. Your chances of being doored are greatly increased because you are now a much larger target. Would your body be directly hit by the door? Probably not. Could the door snag the tree as you're going by? Much more likely. And if a wider bicycle is a safer bicycle then why do most experienced bike-messengers ride with narrow handlebars?

RatherBe

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:30:26 -0500

That has to be the stupidest comment I've read on here in a long time. - "I am a huge advocate for using one's to transport.." Using one's what? If anything, riding with something so large strapped to my back probably decreased my chances of being hit, and someone rode behind me to help ensure this wouldn't happen. Also, care to explain how this has anything to do with my chance of getting doored? Since the tree was sticking WAAAAY out to the side, it'd probably be pretty unlikely for me to end up getting doored. Can I nominate you for the poorly worded moronic comment award?

zodak

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:29:22 -0500

where are the pictures of the assistant school principal who spent all that money at vicky's?

CR

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:38:52 -0500

While I am a huge advocate for using one's to transport stuff around town, carrying a tree on the back of your bike, in that manner with the tree sticking WAAAAAAAAAAY out to the sides, has to be the STUPIDEST thing I've seen in quite some time. Aside from being doored big time, the rider has just increased their chances of being hit by a car about 8,000 times. Seriously, where can I nominate this person for a Darwin Award?