Spotlight Tainted Leaving a mess in Phalen Park

The people who used the picnic facilities at Phalen Park on July 4. For the past 16 years, we have walked the lake six days a week, and I have never seen such disrespectful use of the picnic area.

[whatever]

It isn't just the island, R.M. People are lazy everywhere. The dock I fish from has two garbage cans on shore, a twenty foot walk. Yet, bottles, bait containers, plastic wrappers, you name it, litter the dock, the shore, and the lake surface. Frankly, I blame parents who raised these slobs and cleaned up after their little darlings. Now they don't feel it's their job to clean up after themselves!

[Annoyed]

Martha, One would think that your mishap would teach you to get off the road. Everytime I see a cyclist on the road, they are going too slow and slowing down traffic. There is a lovely bike path along the Parkway, yet people on bikes insist on riding in the middle of the narrow road.

Just because you wear tight bike shorts, it does not make you Lance Armstrong.

[whatever]

Where did the letter say Martha wore tight shorts?

[Mellers]

Annoyed wrote:

Martha, One would think that your mishap would teach you to get off the road. Everytime I see a cyclist on the road, they are going too slow and slowing down traffic. There is a lovely bike path along the Parkway, yet people on bikes insist on riding in the middle of the narrow road.
Just because you wear tight bike shorts, it does not make you Lance Armstrong.

I'm annoyed that you're blaming the victim. If one is acting in a legal manner, they have a RIGHT to be biking in the road.

As someone who is selling their car and will be biking more (and needs to brush up on bike laws), you will have to get used to more bikes on the road.

[Sam]

People today are "PIGS", you see it in the way they ride bikes, drive cars, dump trash all over, don't maintain their yards, commit crimes against others, live off the government for free!!

BASICALLY PIGS!!

Mellers, where ya been, lost in cyberspace?

[jgb]

The basic problem with this mode of transportation is the mix of one slow mode with a fast mode.
An efficient flow of traffic is when ALL modes travel at the same speed.
Mixing these is ALWAYS going to cause accidents and death.
Mixing it on a narrow,winding road and/or poor visibility only amplifies the problem.
The logical solution is DON'T allow mixing.
Use the bike trails and bike lanes that should be paid by licensed bike owners.
ALL bikes should have plates to enforce laws on proper use. You run a stop sign or turn impropery you can be identified and prosecuted!

[Mellers]

Sam wrote:

People today are "PIGS", you see it in the way they ride bikes, drive cars, dump trash all over, don't maintain their yards, commit crimes against others, live off the government for free!!
BASICALLY PIGS!!
Mellers, where ya been, lost in cyberspace?

Evening Sam! I'm totally about personal responsibility and respecting other people's legal rights!

I've been busy! I'm writing a book, did a little traveling (thanks to my family) and enjoying life; I volunteer at least once a week, sometimes a full day. I'm definitely enjoying summer, now that it finally arrived!!

It's good that I stay away (I still read but rarely post) but sometimes I can't help it!

[Mellers]

jgb wrote:

The basic problem with this mode of transportation is the mix of one slow mode with a fast mode.
An efficient flow of traffic is when ALL modes travel at the same speed.
Mixing these is ALWAYS going to cause accidents and death.
Mixing it on a narrow,winding road and/or poor visibility only amplifies the problem.
The logical solution is DON'T allow mixing.
Use the bike trails and bike lanes that should be paid by licensed bike owners.
ALL bikes should have plates to enforce laws on proper use. You run a stop sign or turn impropery you can be identified and prosecuted!

In theory I get what you're saying. But it's too expensive and complicated to create fully separate bike lanes. Besides, it doesn't address the issue of drivers and bicyclists not obeying the law (we could stress safety over proper rules).

Just because the current system isn't working perfectly doesn't mean we should scrap it for a segregated system.

[Mellers]

I Hate Commies wrote:

What do think this INDIA? 30.000 children die day in and day out of starvation.
Thats OK for the Mellers who wants bike lanes, as long as he gets what he wants. Lead by example. Her is one for you. Sell everything you own, I mean ever thing, and give it to the poor. Now that would be an example. I think Jesus said that. But you meller are Clown another me, me, me, apathetic ****. as in sapient of course

Whoa. What a shi(f)t in attitude around here. What does starving children in another country have to do with biking?

If you read my post I said I do NOT want bike lanes. I wanted to conserve money/resources and share the road. Re-read my post.

[WJH]

Mellers wrote:

<quoted text>
Whoa. What a shi(f)t in attitude around here. What does starving children in another country have to do with biking?
If you read my post I said I do NOT want bike lanes. I wanted to conserve money/resources and share the road. Re-read my post.

Yea I don't get it either and I don't like commies either. I just a lighter and faster bike to keep up with traffic.

I picked up trash for an hour at one of my favorite parks on the 5th of July. I couldn't believe the amount of trash left in the park. Most of us wouldn't throw trash like this in our back yard but it's amazing how some people can be such slobs. You see this behavior in the parking lots in the Midway area too. You can be poor but you don't have to be a slob.

[crzyinstpaul]

Annoyed wrote:

Martha, One would think that your mishap would teach you to get off the road. Everytime I see a cyclist on the road, they are going too slow and slowing down traffic. There is a lovely bike path along the Parkway, yet people on bikes insist on riding in the middle of the narrow road.
Just because you wear tight bike shorts, it does not make you Lance Armstrong.

legal right or not...cars move faster than bikes...period...stay to the side so we can at least go the speed limit, without being held at whatever speed you're pedaling...ARRRRGGGG

[Mellers]

WJH wrote:

<quoted text>
Yea I don't get it either and I don't like commies either. I just a lighter and faster bike to keep up with traffic.
I picked up trash for an hour at one of my favorite parks on the 5th of July. I couldn't believe the amount of trash left in the park. Most of us wouldn't throw trash like this in our back yard but it's amazing how some people can be such slobs. You see this behavior in the parking lots in the Midway area too. You can be poor but you don't have to be a slob.

That's awesome that you picked up trash. Some may scoff at me for leading an adopt-a-highway effort and help out with a couple park cleanups (St Paul Parks has its annual cleanup in the spring). I don't know what people are thinking when they do stuff like that. Maybe that's just it: they're not thinking.

WJH: You seem to know a lot about bikes. Because I'm thinking of selling my car (95% sure I'll sell it in the next two weeks), I was thinking of getting an electric-assisted bike (battery powered) but haven't had a lot of luck finding dealers/suppliers in the TC. Any advice?

[Mellers]

Freedom Of Speach 4 Me wrote:

<quoted text>
IF YOUR GOING TO DO STUPID STUFF WITH YOUR BIKE PLEASE (LIKE ELECRIC)STAY OFF THE ROAD. CYCLISTS HAVE ---NO SPECIAL RIGHTS.
SAME RULES, LAWS APPLY. EXCEPT CARS WEIGH TONS AND KILL.
IF YOU HAVE "I HAVE A RIGHT" ATTITUDE, THE MINIMUM THING THAT WILL HAPPEN IS AN ANGRY DRIVER HITTING YOU WITH HIS MIRROR. IT HURTS LIKE HELL.
USE THAT 4 INCHES OF SPACE BETWEEN YOUR EARS. COMMON SENSE IS FREE. TEENAGER + CELL PHONE = CRUSHED SKULL.
YOU MUST HAVE DEATH WISH...

I don't understand you. By your logic, if I have no special rights, then I'm SUPPOSED to be on the road. Riding bicycles on sidewalks is banned in most cities. And I wouldn't be doing "stupid stuff" with the bike, they come that way.

http://members.cox.net/andru822/ebike.JPG

They can be ridden like any other bike (foot power) or switched to run on batteries. I'm not thrilled about going up East 7th street (from downtown to Arcade).

I totally get you about the concern about bikes and cars mixing. I don't want to die either. I'll be doing more walking than biking for this reason and will make sure I know all of the rules. I will stop at red lights and stop at stop signs.

So please don't pick on me for the sake of picking on me. Attack my posts. Don't attack me.

[Mellers]

Freedom Of Speach 4 Me wrote:

I am not attacking you.... I don't want you get hurt. I see so many people do stupid things that I guess I think that everyone is like that. That is defective thinking on my part. Let me say this at different way. It a conundrum. Side walks are banned, streets with morons driving is dangerous. Please ride what every you. If you want to ride a horse whatever, I think you should.I just want you to be careful. I got hit by an angry driver no reason. And because of gas is going to get worse. OK, then since the State Has billions of dollars now that they raped from us they should make room for cyclists. Sorry again.

Okay, that's cool. I understand. Believe me, I want to be safe too! I got hit by a car once while on my bike a decade ago. Broke my elbow but I still feel fortunate!

I'll respect drivers and hope they give me at least 1/2 the respect. Again, I'll mostly stick to walking on sidewalks!

[Chris]

thanks al for you honesty.