Category: Pet peeves

Bicycles on Streets

On By scottpetersenIn Ban bicycles from roads, Pet peevesLeave a comment

I don’t mind occasional bicycles on streets. Riding single file. Obeying traffic laws. Staying out of the way.  Bicycle lanes are fine and seem to work.  But the groups of bicyclists who take up whole lanes of traffic (riding 2 and 3 abreast), ignoring traffic signals, scaring pedestrians and essentially creating havoc with the 4 wheel and 2 legged traffic?  They are a problem.   The pelotons. . . .

Violate traffic laws in my car?  I’m toast.   As a pedestrian – I can be ticketed for jaywalking, for crossing against a red light or for going around a railroad crossing gate.  Yet bicycle riders thumb their noses at red lights, stop signs and other traffic signals.   Pedestrians wait for them.   They often arrogantly deprive others of the courtesies they expect.  I have to say that this is one of my pet peeves and a pet peeve of a growing number of others. 

Bicycle bans are becoming more popular — and I’m hoping that they become even more popular. . . .      

Pet Peeves

On By scottpetersenIn Pet peevesLeave a comment

We all have them.  Pet peeves. 

Pet peeves are specific irritating behaviors of others which get under our skin and annoy. . . .  The term “peevish” is derived from the Middle English term “pevish” (can be “peevish”) which means “spiteful,” “ornery” or “ill-tempered.”   Use of the noun “peeve” is of fairly recent origin — dating to about 1908.  The term “pet peeve” was first used in print in 1919.   Use of “pet” simply refers to “favorite.”  

I don’t have many pet peeves (what are yours??) but those I have make me X%#!@* ornery and peevish:

1.  Bicycle riders who think they own the road.  GET OVER AND RIDE SINGLE FILE OR RIDE A STATIONARY BIKE!  

2.  People who drive slowly in the passing land.  GET OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE!

3.  People who talk loudly on cell phones on the train (“And how is my little dumpling today?  Woogy woogy sweetums!   Let me tell you about my day. . . blah blah“).  HANG UP, TALK SOFTLY OR GO IN THE VESTIBULE! 

4.  People who are late (see post of October 2).  SHOW UP ON TIME!

5.  Anyone who disagrees with my supreme – and inimitable – and usually flawless – logic and wisdom.