Living in Charleston comes with its ups and downs. It is a beautiful place with some of the nation's most beautiful people, but even beautiful people do annoying things – a lot of annoying things. The list is extensive, but ask me to pick one thing about living here that bothers me the more than anything, and I could do it without much hesitation. One word comes to mind – bicyclists.
The worst part is that that are everywhere. I consider myself lucky that I haven't accidentally run one over yet, and I know I can't be the only one who is bothered by them on a daily basis. There is just so much to be annoyed by. It is better for the environment than driving a gas-guzzling SUV to and from class, and therefore it is indeed a good idea, but people around this town have got to get their bicycling habits in order. The things they do perturb me just as much, if not even more than, the things they don't do.
They think that they own the streets, and frankly they don't. They have just as much right to the streets as, believe it or not, actual cars do. That's right no more and no less. What is even worse than when they think they own the streets is when they think they own the sidewalks too. Sidewalks are called sidewalks for a reason. They were meant for walking not riding.
There are laws, and they have to follow them. Bored cops are on the prowl for Charlestonians breaking traffic laws all over the peninsula, and they are even starting to write tickets to perpetrators on bicycle. I don't feel bad about it either. They deserve what they get. Before you pick up a bike and decide to ride it all over a busy city you should educate yourself. Maybe then you would know that bike riders must adhere to the same rules as car drivers. I know it is astonishing, but just because your mode of transportation has only two wheels and lacks a motor you are not considered above the law. When traffic gets backed up you are not allowed to bob and weave through vehicles, and you certainly are not allowed to hop on the sidewalk to avoid the chaos all together.
Life in Charleston would be much more peaceful without them.Drivers wouldn't feel anxiety about beach cruisers popping out of no where. Pedestrians could walk without having to share their sidewalks with anyone other than those who are actually walking, and the members of my bicyclist haters club would have one less thing to be annoyed about. Hey, a girl can dream can't she?
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