Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Response to Current Event

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByL8MaDgoUU


This video shows the ups and downs to having bicycle lanes in the busy city with many cars and fast flowing streets. Some of the people in the news clip were stating things such as "...death or injury waiting to happen." and how dangerous it is to create a bike lane on such a busy street. I disagree with these opinions. It doesn't make sense for people to think that bike lanes will create more injuries. With new bike lanes, a safer environment is created. Without bike lanes, bikers would not have an option to ride on certain streets. And if they did ride on those streets, it would be very difficult, and much more dangerous than if there were bike lanes for them to use.

Cartoon Analysis

This cartoon shows how much more dominance of the roads cars have over bikes. It depicts a bike and a car on a balance scale, noting that the car weighs 100,000 lbs, while the car weighs 4,079. On the scale, the car seems to be weighing more than the obviously heavier bicycle. This shows how much more power a little car has over bikes. This cartoon is not very effective, because the weight ratio really doesn't make that much sense, and doesn't completely support the idea of what the artist was trying to convey. It is obvious to tell the point he is getting at, but he doesn't make it very clear for the audience.

Satire


Yeah, bikers? What's the deal with those morons? They think they have the right to just pull out in front of me and go like literally 5 miles per hour? Idiots. I honk at them every time. Why do they have to come into the road and take up space that us car drivers have rightfully earned? Its our turf, and we will honk, and drive vigorously just to get our point across that we deserve the streets more than you do, you peasants. If you can't afford a car, GET A JOB.  Whats the point of riding a bike? Lose weight, be healthy? I can drive my car to the gym anytime I want to.  You need to get places? Take the bus, but don’t ride your bike, please. Just do us all a big favor and just sell your bike and use the money to buy a car, or a bus pass. You will be thanked by your community.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Editorial

BIKERS RIGHTS

People these days do not realize that cars are not the only way of transportation. Today, bikes are making a come back.  Streets are very car friendly, but it seems as though bikers have been forgotten. There needs to be a much safer environment for these bikers. Picture yourself in their shoes. No protection from giant metal beasts, that could destroy you in a matter of seconds. Yes, I understand that cars are the main use of transportation these days, but does that mean that we should just forget about the rights of bicyclists? I don't think so. There are many scenarios where lots of people still use bikes. A very large amount of bicyclists are children. We all know that kids can’t drive cars, of course. But without more bike lanes on roads, we are putting our kids into grieving danger.  A way that we can prevent putting the lives of others in danger would be to create more bike lanes on busy roads. Not every single road, because that would be a huge hassle and would cost a fortune. If we put bike lanes on roads that have a speed limit of 30mph and over, and are only a single lane, then this would create a world of difference for the safety of pedestrians who count on their bikes for transportation. With new bike lanes, we can create a safer, worry-free life for those of us with the passion for bicycles.