Too Bad He Doesn't Know

Every Sunday morning we treat ourselves by going out to breakfast at The Ranch House. It is a wonderful little family owned and run restaurant that we have gone to for YEARS.

It is so nice because when you walk in every one says hi and it is like one big family in there. Any way, today was like most others. We were there early and had a wonderful breakfast and pleasant conversation. It was looking to be a beautiful day.

We left their parking lot and had to wait for a red light at the intersection of Queenston Rd and Walter St. We were the second car in. The light changed, the car ahead went through and just as we got to the line a guy on a bike, moving very fast, came through against the light. I jumped on the brakes and he came right on through. Never even saw us or looked or anything. He actually passed within four feet of the car!

If I had not seen him, he would have hit the car right before the front door and flown over the hood. He may have hit the curb or the lamp post or who knows what. Goodness knows how badly he may have been hurt. My heart was pounding. It scared the crap out of me. The driver that had stopped for the light saw it all. I looked at him and he just shook his head.

Why is it that a lot of bike riders seem to think that a helmet and two wheels means they don't have to obey rules or even look where they're going? Now, I am all for people that want to ride their bikes. Good on ya!!! But for heaven sake pay flipping attention to where you are. Remember, you are a vehicle too and in ANY argument with a car you ARE going to LOSE!!!

So many times I see them riding the wrong way or zipping in between stopped vehicles or dashing through against the light. And when someone gets hurt, right away they want to blame the drivers. Most of us take care when maneuvering our vehicles, but we can’t see everywhere. Some drivers don’t care and think they have the right to go where and when they want because they have ‘a license’. Those are the ones the bikers have to watch out for. They think they own the road.

And that goes for the bike riders as well. They SHOULD NOT be on sidewalks and going the wrong way on one way streets. They have to start taking responsibility for their own safety. It’s about time the realized that through physics alone, that they do not stand a CHANCE against a car. They must ALWAYS be thinking ahead to what a driver is doing. They can make it easier on them selves by at least following the rules of the road.

Any way, I am very angry at that guy on the bike. He did not even realize what almost happened. But it upset and scared me for a good many hours after wards. I think his life flashed before my eyes. I know I saw what his life would have been after he hit us and THAT frightened and saddened me.