Cyclists fought for paved roads first

[Veloo]

Nice read.

http://www.vox.com/2015/3/19/8253035/roads-cyclists-cars-history

[Ecova]

That was a good read. Thanks

[Mark McM]

Two months ago, the Vox blog published a related article on how the crime of "jay walking" was invented by motorists to get pedestrians off the street.

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/15/7551873/jaywalking-history

Unfortunately, reminding motorists of historical precedence in an attempt to reclaim cyclists rights to the road have been about as successful as it has been for Native Americans to remind European settlers of historical precedence in an attempt to get their land back.

[MattTuck]

Two months ago, the Vox blog published a related article on how the crime of "jay walking" was invented by motorists to get pedestrians off the street.

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/15/7551873/jaywalking-history

Unfortunately, reminding motorists of historical precedence in an attempt to reclaim cyclists rights to the road have been about as successful as it has been for Native Americans to remind European settlers of historical precedence in an attempt to get their land back.

You know, it's funny. I was about to post the same analog. If the people who inhabited the western hemisphere knew what was coming, they'd have slaughtered every European that set foot on their land, and burned their boats.

[Louis]

Unfortunately, reminding motorists of historical precedence in an attempt to reclaim cyclists rights to the road have been about as successful as it has been for Native Americans to remind European settlers of historical precedence in an attempt to get their land back.

Yet another reminder that might makes right.

[AJosiahK]

a good read for sure thanks for sharing

[velomonkey]

Just a reminder - AAA - they are, without question, an anti-bike organization. Yea I know - they tow and repair tires. They outsource that work. You want there are other companies who do just as good of a job.

I was never a member as I have USAA and get those services, but some people, who ride, swear by them. As car talk and others have said - you want the same services but from a organization that is only for more cars and more roads

http://www.betterworldclub.com

About ten years ago there was a movement to close Rock Creek Park in DC to cars from 10am to 3pm - much like they do on the weekend. Anyone in DC can attest, the park sucks to ride while cars use it for cut through traffic (and they have a myriad of alternatives). In my view - it's a PARK it's last function should be to serve as local road. I went to the public hearing and there was AAA - talking about hurting people in wheelchairs who want to see the park - cause, you know, people in wheelchairs can only get around by car :confused:

[bikinchris]

I read "Roads Were not Built for Cars" a while back. Those who are interested in bicycling history should also read "A Social History of the Bicycle."

[Mark McM]

Just a reminder - AAA - they are, without question, an anti-bike organization.

That's why I dropped my membership in AAA many years ago. While they often promote themselves as a service agency (providing maps, towing, repairs, etc.), they originally started as, and continue to be, a lobbying group for motorists. In addition to lobbying for pro automobile projects and legislation, they also actively lobby against any non-automotive transportation projects or legislation (such as support for rail, bus, pedestrian or bicycles).