Why are drivers so angry when they won the war on Jarvis St. cycling lanes?

 It seems that it’s not enough for drivers to have the vehicle lane returned to them on Jarvis St.

Many want to grind their boot into the faces of cyclists who were forced to give up the bike lanes, which are being removed from Jarvis this week, judging by comments posted to The Star’s online story about it.

Several protestors obstructed the crew erasing the lines, which caused the work to be put off for a day, while police handled them gently and didn’t charge them.

But the cops made it clear they won’t put up with more protests that obstruct erasure of the bike lanes, or traffic, and will forcibly remove them if necessary.

Bottom line? Drivers win. Cyclists lose, in a landslide.

So it’s not surprising that some riders are feeling militant, and showed it by disrupting restoration of the fifth traffic lane.

They moved on after they made their point, but comment posted on thestar.com by fist-pumping drivers provides insight into the acrimonious relationship between so many of them and the cycling community.

Reader Joe Bell characterized it as “Motorized Vehicles 1, Street Lice 0,” and said that “the average cyclist today is a quasi-suicidal delusional who believes cars are evil…”

A reader named “haterz” said “real simple solution…no bikes on the road allowed. The cyclists will stop getting in everyone’s way and causing so much traffic.”

Okay, so bikes are the reason why there is so much traffic in Toronto. I’m too dumb to figure that out.

The haters love to get in their digs at former mayor David Miller, who is responsible for everything they don’t like, including a reader who said, “In your face David Miller! Next, please get rid of all the bike lanes on College St.”

Steve YYZ says drivers should “take back our roads, curb to curb. From this moment forward I will no longer feel the slightest guilt about blocking bike lanes (or) otherwise impeding any of Toronto’s cyclists.”

Did you ever?

Look, I get just about everywhere by driving, and resent unnecessary holdups as much as anyone. But I try to see the bigger picture: Cycling lanes that were in place for several years, and didn’t slow me down much, if at all, were taken away.

It’s the sort of thing that results in protest.

If they come back and hold up traffic again, maybe Steve YYZ or Haterz (notice how real tough guys hide behind pseudonyms?) will squash them like lice in their SUVs.

They’ve got it coming, eh Steve?

 

 

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Comments

[Justim]

I drive Jarvis every day. Sure, there are crazy-assed cyclists who disregard traffic signals and constantly deke in and out of traffic. But there are just as many [or more] motorists who don't drive defensively -- some seem to deliberately target cyclists. Okay, so who stands to lose the most in the ongoing battle between cyclists and drivers? But, who in their right mind, would want to hurt a cyclist?

I'm all for designated bike lanes [and enforcement of them -- and, please, up the fines for parking in them!]. In the brief time bike lanes existed on Jarvis, I loved it. My commute wasn't noticeably slower and I enjoyed a less stressful drive. I knew where the cyclists were. Now we're back to square one...

Besides, I personally loathe that fickle middle lane which changes direction with the rush hour. It's dangerous. I've lost count of how many times I've witnessed confused drivers, in that lane, headed in the wrong direction at the wrong time.

Why did my councillor -- John Parker -- reopen the issue and then vote for removing the bike lanes? He sure as hell wasn't representing my interests. I won't be voting for him again.

May the Jarvis Street bike lanes rest in peace.

[Eugenia Shpiller]

I don’t understand where all this cyclists inveteracy coming from. I drive for many years and never had any problem sharing my road with cyclists.
I feel sorry for those haters. They waste their energy and time hating somebody or something. In these instance its bike lanes and cyclists. Even if they will win all the roads form cyclists, they will find some other object to hate. It is just this kind of unhappy people who prefer to take out their personal life frustration on somebody else instead of fixing personal problems and not to get frustrated in the first place.
I wish you to find inner peace, people.