I’m quite tempted to start an ‘oh, fuck it’ regular feature where I simply link the words ‘oh, fuck it’ to something that leaves me thinking this. I’ve never done a regular feature before and from looking around the ‘sphere most regular features aren’t exactly regular. Let’s give it a go anyway:

oh, fuck it

Benjamin Rumble, I hope you regret doing this.

(Go here to see the original.)

Paul Thurrott rightly points out “IE 7.0 Technical Changes Leave Web Developers, Users in the Lurch”:

My advice is simple: Boycott IE. It’s a cancer on the Web that must be stopped. IE isn’t secure and isn’t standards-compliant, which makes it unworkable both for end users and Web content creators. Because of their user bases, however, Web developers are hamstrung into developing for IE at the expense of established standards that work well in all other browsers. You can turn the tide by demanding more from Microsoft and by using a better alternative Web browser. I recommend and use Mozilla Firefox, but Apple Safari (Macintosh only) and Opera 8 are both worth considering as well.

My fellow road users,

I ride a bicycle. I really enjoy riding that bike of mine. I even do it ‘for fitness’ these days. However many of you, my fellow road users, seem to have my wellbeing fairly low on your priority list.

Now I’m not asking that my wellbeing be particularly high on your priority list, to be honest I really don’t care what sort of day you’re having either. I just care that I arrive at my destination without being hit by another road user. There is no denying that if you hit me I will come off worse. You’re bigger and faster than me and that’s cool, that’s why I ride over near the gutter to get out of you way. But please afford me some consideration.

Moreover, please remember that my bike riding benefits you both ecologically and economically. We cyclists produce zero emissions (well some hippies fart too much but so do cows) and we cause significantly less road wear hence saving your tax dollars.

In order to assist you with this (as it is abundantly clear that some assistance is needed) I thought I’d provide you with the following points to help you.

1. We realise we’re hard to see. We use lights etc to try and help you here but by the nature of our position on the road we will be hard to see. Try and keep an eye out – you’ll find you avoid more accidents with cars as well.
2. Look before you open your car door – it only takes a second but it will prevent what is probably the most common bicycle related accident.
3. Pedestrians – it will really hurt you if I run into you with my bike. Again, all you have to do is look.
4. Give us a bit of space. Just because we’re over to the side of the road doesn’t mean you can’t go a little wide when you pass us. I have very skinny tyres (about 5 cm wide – actually probably less), sometimes I will swerve very sharply to avoid something I’ve seen on the road that you haven’t so I need a little bit of space.
5. Slow down from time to time. There will be situations where to avoid the above point you will just have to slow down, sit behind us even until there’s a chance for you to pass. We try and avoid roads that create these situations but it’s not that easy. Complying will have a nominal effect on your overall travel time if any.
6. To do a head check you need to turn your head and look through the window of the rear passenger door. This is the correct way to do a head check because this means that you will be looking at your ‘blind spot’. If you were unaware that you had a blind spot please report to your nearest VicRoads (or other relevant body) and hand in your licence.
7. 4WDs. Take it bush or take it back.

It’s all so simple really. Just look and be courteous. That way you’ll avoid the sort of exchange that I had yesterday:

(man opens car door coming within inches of hitting me)

Me: LOOK OUT YOU FUCKING IDIOT
man: Just relax mate.
Me: I’M NOT GOING TO FUCKING RELAX YOU JUST NEARLY FUCKING KILLED ME YOU FUCKING WANKER
man: Chill out mate.
Me: FUCK YOU CUNT!!!

(I ride away, looking to a fellow cyclist coming the other way for support who ducks his head to avoid eye contact and therefore a possible punch on – thanks for the solidarity, what, never had a car door opened on you?)

Is it just me or does bike rage seem to be worse than car rage?

Happy cycling!

YOU ARE INVITED to the Melbourne Social Forum’s first fundraiser of the year,

FILM: Hope Will Win Over Fear: The World Social Forums
Alfred Hernandez combines interviews and analysis with popular Brazilian
music and event footage in documenting the World Social Forum
movement

VENUE: Glitch Bar & Cinema
318 St. Georges Rd, N. Fitzroy
DATE: Sunday, August 7th
TIME: 6pm sharp!!
ENTRY: $5 ($3 concession)

Please come – it will be ACE!!