Most of you guys know that I ride my bike to work 3 or 4 times a week.  I came across this horrific article (HERE) about a biker who lost his leg because some douche bag cab driver.  Another example of people being completely oblivious of their surroundings because they are insulant morons who are conditioned by TV that the world revolves around them.

The articles reads: “last night in Toronto, a cyclist had a loud argument with a cab driver and the next thing residents heard was a sickening crunch and a man screaming for help- the cabbie rammed the cyclist against a pole and severed his leg. Doctors couldn't fix it and the leg was amputated.

The cabbie took off and then three hours later called police and said he was defending himself against a robbery attempt. From a guy on a bike? Using the rear end of your car in reverse to defend yourself? And whenever people talk about how bicyclists contribute to their own demise, look at the difference, a couple of dents vs a leg. A cyclist may be wrong to get angry (neighbors say there was arguing) but that doesn't mean he should get dead.”

The sad part is that people comment on these articles and they bash on the cyclist.  People don’t understand that no matter how offensive the cyclist was, it does not justify a car hitting him.  The car can kill, the bicycle cannot.  Period. 

I posted a comment on www.midnightridazz.com a cycling group site that I go to check on rides around LA, and many cyclists commented (http://www.midnightridazz.com/forums.php?topicId=6042&pgnum=1). I thought this video posted by one of the readers captured our current situation very well... an old Disney cartoon complaining of drivers back then... nothing has changed.  In fact, I argue that with the advent of the SUV, things have gotten even worse...

How many times have one of you almost been plowed over by one of those totally unnecessary gluten mobiles with an oblivious soccer mom with a kid named Billy who is on two different ADHD drugs and watching videos while his mom is trying to get him to stop throwing his Burger King fries over the back seat?  Get my drift...

So how about when one of you sees a runner or a biker on the road, you make an effort to STEER clear of them... unless you’ve been on the road contenting with 2 ton boxes of steel... you don’t know how scary it is to have one of these oblivion drive by you within 3 feet even.