Cross-posted on Musicology/Matters
There is a ton to blog about. I'm completely serious, and I have a lot to say. But there's also this nagging thing called my dissertation that has to get done very soon. And while I have been almost done for quite some time, I'd like to finally be done done. So forgive my absence in the blogosphere, but I have to step away for awhile. I'll return once I have a Ph.D next to my name, I promise.
In the meantime, rest assured that I will still ride my bike, think critically about sound in urban space, and contemplate the larger meaning of musicology (my chosen profession) and the new administration. I just won't be writing about it.
'Till then.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
On Yielding
Sometime over the summer, I was riding back to Santa Monica from Palos Verdes via the South Bay Bike Path when I nearly collided with some pedestrians near the Marina. Yes, I was riding as safely as I thought necessary on a path with heavy traffic from bicycles, pedestrians (including runners, kit-flyers, surfers), and roller-bladers when I scared everyone by not waiting for the path to be completely clear during my pass. No accidents or collisions occurred, but I was a little miffed. What were all of these non-cyclists doing on a bike path? And why should I yield to them?!
After much thought (and prodding from my partner), I realized that we cyclists can be just as bad as cars in our impatience on the road. Even though many of the group rides take the time to warn us to be safe and courteous during our group rides, they often neglect to discuss pedestrians; the main focus of these safety speeches is other cyclists and cars. But what about pedestrians? Or, to extend the point a little, young children on bicycles out with their parents? Ever since that day, I've tried to be more careful on my rides and practice "yielding" to the less mobile in the same way that I'd hope cars would treat me. I'm vulnerable on a bicycle, but I'm not nearly as vulnerable as a pedestrian is.
Today one of my fellow cyclists near got into a fist-fight when he almost crashed trying to pass a parent who was taking up 2/3s of the bike path to help his son as he learned to ride. I understand both sides of the story, and clearly the parent and cyclist were equally at fault in the near collision. If this moment were unique, I wouldn't have anything to say (or blog), but on many other moments during my short training ride I witnessed other acts of impatient cyclists not yielding to our vulnerable colleagues on the road. It concerns me. And I wonder why cyclists of all people feel entitled to ignore that particular rule. I obviously get upset when I see other cyclists break the law and put me at danger. Is it a lack of awareness? Why doesn't anyone else talk about it in the LA cycling community?
After much thought (and prodding from my partner), I realized that we cyclists can be just as bad as cars in our impatience on the road. Even though many of the group rides take the time to warn us to be safe and courteous during our group rides, they often neglect to discuss pedestrians; the main focus of these safety speeches is other cyclists and cars. But what about pedestrians? Or, to extend the point a little, young children on bicycles out with their parents? Ever since that day, I've tried to be more careful on my rides and practice "yielding" to the less mobile in the same way that I'd hope cars would treat me. I'm vulnerable on a bicycle, but I'm not nearly as vulnerable as a pedestrian is.
Today one of my fellow cyclists near got into a fist-fight when he almost crashed trying to pass a parent who was taking up 2/3s of the bike path to help his son as he learned to ride. I understand both sides of the story, and clearly the parent and cyclist were equally at fault in the near collision. If this moment were unique, I wouldn't have anything to say (or blog), but on many other moments during my short training ride I witnessed other acts of impatient cyclists not yielding to our vulnerable colleagues on the road. It concerns me. And I wonder why cyclists of all people feel entitled to ignore that particular rule. I obviously get upset when I see other cyclists break the law and put me at danger. Is it a lack of awareness? Why doesn't anyone else talk about it in the LA cycling community?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
PSA: Cyclist at Fault
On Saturday, I got into my very first cyclist-at-fault collision with a vehicle. I was on my way from my folks' house to the train station. My partner was leading and was extremely worried that we would miss our train (which we did, due to the accident) and was running stop signs left and right. But then she rolled through a two-way stop, and I followed. Then I collided with a Mercedes. Talk about stupid.
So kids, do not roll through stop signs, especially when you think no one is out. You never know when that 4 way stop is really a 2-way stop. And you don't want to liable for damaging an expensive luxury car like a Mercedes. Two seconds is a small price to pay for the pain and monetary cost that come from a jolting collision.
Public service announcement over...
So kids, do not roll through stop signs, especially when you think no one is out. You never know when that 4 way stop is really a 2-way stop. And you don't want to liable for damaging an expensive luxury car like a Mercedes. Two seconds is a small price to pay for the pain and monetary cost that come from a jolting collision.
Public service announcement over...
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Meme
I haven't felt much like blogging since I have had an endless stream of deadlines AND I got into yet another collision over the holiday weekend. Working like a dog on unpleasant things that have little to do with writing really forces me to conserve my writing energy for other things, like the dissertation. Anyway...
Phil tagged me to do a meme, so I guess I'll follow suit. Dude, we really need to talk now that classes are winding down!
The rules:
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. If you don’t have 7 blog friends, or if someone else already took dibs, then tag some unsuspecting strangers.
Seven random facts
1. I have a serious affection for hats. When I was growing up, I used to decorate my room with them...
2. Even though my cat has a proper name, I still call her "cat" when I come home.
3. I haven't had a functioning iPod for over 3 years and I have no real desire to get another one. (This wouldn't be so weird if I didn't study music.)
4. I watch two or three TV shows on a weekly basis, but I don't own a TV.
5. My hair grows freakishly fast causing me to go to the hair stylist every 3 weeks or so.
6. I can touch my tongue to the tip of my nose.
7. I like going to the movie theater alone.
And tags: Bill, Regarding, Sam, and Xandra. I don't like the idea of tagging random people.
Phil tagged me to do a meme, so I guess I'll follow suit. Dude, we really need to talk now that classes are winding down!
The rules:
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. If you don’t have 7 blog friends, or if someone else already took dibs, then tag some unsuspecting strangers.
Seven random facts
1. I have a serious affection for hats. When I was growing up, I used to decorate my room with them...
2. Even though my cat has a proper name, I still call her "cat" when I come home.
3. I haven't had a functioning iPod for over 3 years and I have no real desire to get another one. (This wouldn't be so weird if I didn't study music.)
4. I watch two or three TV shows on a weekly basis, but I don't own a TV.
5. My hair grows freakishly fast causing me to go to the hair stylist every 3 weeks or so.
6. I can touch my tongue to the tip of my nose.
7. I like going to the movie theater alone.
And tags: Bill, Regarding, Sam, and Xandra. I don't like the idea of tagging random people.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Interview
Excerpt:
Sometimes I wonder if I'm becoming a parody of myself... In other news, check out the new streetfilm about LA's bike coops.
Interviewer: What interests you about our program at [fancy university]? Why do you want to work here?
KG: [some stuff related to the department's reputation.] Also, I'm a cyclist, and I'd like to live in a place where I don't have to worry about being hit by cars all the time. [Fancy city] has a reputation for being bike-friendly, am I wrong?
Interviewer: No, that definitely makes sense. You aren't wrong.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm becoming a parody of myself... In other news, check out the new streetfilm about LA's bike coops.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Losing Patience
Today, I officially yelled at a fellow cyclist whose zest for dangerous riding pushed me over the edge.
See, there are many more cyclists out there, the majority of whom never think about safety issues on a bike. They wear headphones and listen to their iPods at top volume completely erasing the only method of signaling from behind that other cyclists have. When a passing cyclist calls out "on your left!" they don't hear, and even sometimes drift leftwards putting the passing cyclist at risk. I don't like being pushed into traffic.
Today, after dealing with many headphone wearing cyclists, I was almost taken out by a cyclist riding ::gasp:: on the wrong side of the road. I was attempting to make a left turn into a bicycle parking lot and was looking for oncoming traffic. This fellow came up from behind and almost hit me. I yelled, "watch out!" Really, though, I shouldn't have to yell. After he realized what had almost happened, I said something along the lines of "traffic laws apply to you too!" Dear. God.
And now, I end with a brief list of other offending actions only committed by irreverent cyclists in town:
• Passing on the right, especially when a cyclist is trying to make a right turn. Disaster waiting to happen!
• Switching rapidly between riding on the sidewalk and the right side of the road causing chaos among cyclists, pedestrians, and cars. Ack!
• Refusing to yield to anyone or anything.
• Riding two or ::gasp!:: three abreast on a busy street at a low speed, thereby eliminating the possibility of safe passing.
• Not looking before moving into traffic thereby almost causing a vehicle to hit a car/ cyclist.
And, my personal favorite:
• Completely running all red lights thereby making all cars hate cyclists. Boo!!
That's all. Someone needs to more actively promote basic courtesy among commuting cyclists. For the love of god, people.
See, there are many more cyclists out there, the majority of whom never think about safety issues on a bike. They wear headphones and listen to their iPods at top volume completely erasing the only method of signaling from behind that other cyclists have. When a passing cyclist calls out "on your left!" they don't hear, and even sometimes drift leftwards putting the passing cyclist at risk. I don't like being pushed into traffic.
Today, after dealing with many headphone wearing cyclists, I was almost taken out by a cyclist riding ::gasp:: on the wrong side of the road. I was attempting to make a left turn into a bicycle parking lot and was looking for oncoming traffic. This fellow came up from behind and almost hit me. I yelled, "watch out!" Really, though, I shouldn't have to yell. After he realized what had almost happened, I said something along the lines of "traffic laws apply to you too!" Dear. God.
And now, I end with a brief list of other offending actions only committed by irreverent cyclists in town:
• Passing on the right, especially when a cyclist is trying to make a right turn. Disaster waiting to happen!
• Switching rapidly between riding on the sidewalk and the right side of the road causing chaos among cyclists, pedestrians, and cars. Ack!
• Refusing to yield to anyone or anything.
• Riding two or ::gasp!:: three abreast on a busy street at a low speed, thereby eliminating the possibility of safe passing.
• Not looking before moving into traffic thereby almost causing a vehicle to hit a car/ cyclist.
And, my personal favorite:
• Completely running all red lights thereby making all cars hate cyclists. Boo!!
That's all. Someone needs to more actively promote basic courtesy among commuting cyclists. For the love of god, people.
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