I just want to say that I found this comic strip extremely offensive; but even more horrifying was the number of comments in support of Pastis’ position. What is wrong with you people? How could any of you find this funny? Before you think: “lighten up, lady,” let me share my story (and probably that of many others). My son cycled for 20 years, was knowledgeable about the rules of the road for cyclists, and obeyed them. In spite of that, on a Sunday afternoon, on a low traffic 4 lane divided highway, he was hit and killed while out on his 50 mile ride. There was no bike lane, but he was riding as far to the right as possible. I know enough about the young man who hit him to figure that he could easily fit the profile described by Puckerbrush City: an “arrogant motorist, filled with rage and ownership issues.” He actually asked the state trooper handling the case if cyclists even belonged out there. So it’s really easy to imagine that, even though he had an entire lane he could move to in order to safely clear my son, he probably decided to buzz him to let him know who owned the road, but seriously misjudged. So to those of you who hate cyclists, I ask you to try thinking another way. No matter how arrogant or ignorant of the rules a cyclist may be, please don’t lose sight of the fact that that cyclist belongs to someone ─ it may be their child, parent, sibling or best friend. Pretend that that cyclist belongs to you.
I just want to say that I found this comic strip extremely offensive; but even more horrifying was the number of comments in support of Pastis’ position. What is wrong with you people? How could any of you find this funny? Before you think: “lighten up, lady,” let me share my story (and probably that of many others). My son cycled for 20 years, was knowledgeable about the rules of the road for cyclists, and obeyed them. In spite of that, on a Sunday afternoon, on a low traffic 4 lane divided highway, he was hit and killed while out on his 50 mile ride. There was no bike lane, but he was riding as far to the right as possible. I know enough about the young man who hit him to figure that he could easily fit the profile described by Puckerbrush City: an “arrogant motorist, filled with rage and ownership issues.” He actually asked the state trooper handling the case if cyclists even belonged out there. So it’s really easy to imagine that, even though he had an entire lane he could move to in order to safely clear my son, he probably decided to buzz him to let him know who owned the road, but seriously misjudged. So to those of you who hate cyclists, I ask you to try thinking another way. No matter how arrogant or ignorant of the rules a cyclist may be, please don’t lose sight of the fact that that cyclist belongs to someone ─ it may be their child, parent, sibling or best friend. Pretend that that cyclist belongs to you.