as details of the michael bryant story continue to leak, it would be tempting to back down from the stance of my previous blog entry. tempting, but not very true to my argument.
it may well end up that darcy sheppard was intoxicated. that he had previously had a run-in with police. that he attacked the ex-attorney general. none of this is known yet, though i suspect it may be the case.
none of this really affects the main points brought up by the blog entry: conflicts between cyclists and motorists are on the increase. there is a disparity between how cyclists and motorists are treated on the road, by police, through legislation, and in transportation infrastucture. many cyclists do feel that they have no options other than by taking things into their own hands. and the fear that cyclists feel when this combines with dangerous driving conditions and the reaction to sudden and great peril, will cause for altercations.
this case may be an example of what happens when this kind of fear and oppression manifests itself into irrational acts. this too is a by-product of too many altercations happening on the streets. this too is a result of result of the day-to-day conditions cyclists face.
the fact of the matter is that, no matter what, this story will result in much debate about cycling conditions and the reasons behind increased cyclist/motorist conflict. and if this debate does not lead to changes in conditions on the street, then it is an opportunity wasted.
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