The Sheer Stupidity Of Some Cyclists

limestonekid

Or maybe the title should be "The Sheer Stupidity Of Some Parents".

This morning while walking my dog back from the park I crossed paths with yet another irresponsible cyclist. Unfortunately, IMHO, he also happened to be a pretty irresponsible parent as well.

This particular genius was riding down the street the wrong way while he was holding his child in his left arm. The child, who at least was wearing a helmet, was balancing his feet on the bike's top tube.

I commented out loud "Could you not have thought of a less safe way to transport your child?"

The crossing guard at the corner simply shook her head and said "I know, I know." I'm sure she sees worse every day.

jeffrey

I predict that this thread is going places.

whynot_31

This biker/parent needs a good defense team.

boygabriel

Yesterday on my way home from work I almost got smashed between a car double parking on a narrow 1-lane road in chinatown and parked cars. So not only was he trying to kill or paralyze me, he felt entitled to block all traffic going in his direction.

when I politely (seriously) asked the driver to watch out for bicyclists in the future, he told me I should be biking on bike lanes only. I stopped being polite at that point.

I can only assume he never, ever double parks in bike lanes (HA), and that he fully supports the implementation of them in areas that aren't well served by them (HAHA).

The dude cited above by the OP was an idiot parent, something I see daily on all modes of transportation, and even those not using a vehicle!

whynot_31

In this court, merely pointing out that others are also "sheerly stupid" is not considered by the jury in deciding the fate of the accused.

I hereby instruct the the jury: Consider only evidence related to whether the biker is Sheerly Stupid or not.

boygabriel

Judging by the docket, it seems the trial was for ALL cyclists.

I dispute singling them out for stupidity.

whynot_31

In this instance, the Prosecutor clearly labels the case as "The Sheer Stupidity of Some Cyclists" or "The Sheer Stupidity of Some Parents", and goes on to state this "particular genius".

In addition, a specific incident is alleged to have occurred that is believed to meet the criteria for violation of NYS Criminal Code Article 1234-ad-k Subsection L.

You may not be aware that this is the section of NYS state law that covers "Sheer Stupidity".

Therefore, I find that this courtroom is the appropriate venue.

Rest assured, had Limsetonekid attempted to file a class action lawsuit, I would have referred them to the court down the hall.

Do we have a poster that wishes to argue for the defendant?

homeowner

Maybe said biker doesn't really like his kid?

Maybe they were auditioning for a Darwin Award?

Maybe the parent was a fan of the Six-Million Dollar Man growing up and wants to have a bionic kid post accident?

The possibilities are endless..

whynot_31

Homeowner-

While the motivations you list are possible, a charge of Sheer Stupidity does not require that the accused possess criminal intent, or malice.

It may help you to know that that the charge of Sheer Stupidity is often (but not always) accompanied by a charge of Intoxication in Public.

stewart

Somehow I was under the impression that the only two admissible defenses against a charge of Sheer Stupidity are:

1) This is New York; or

2) Mind your own business.

whynot_31

Stewart-

I believe the two items you list simply refute that the accuser has the authority to level such a charge.

Rest assured, anyone can charge another with Sheer Stupidity. One merely need to witness an act similar to that described, and have a means of communicating with the offender.

In other words, the fact that "this is New York" and that the accused believes others "should be minding their own business" DOES NOT constitute a valid defense for the alleged actions.

All persons are expected to refrain from Sheer Stupidity regardless of where they are located, or whether they are being watched by a person they believe to be an authority figure.