As
endeavors go, urban bicycling seems to draw more than its share of
sanctimonious asshats. After all, THEY are superior stewards of the environment
and might live 10 minutes longer than YOU, who are polluting with your
fossil-fuel-powered vehicle.
Urban
bicyclists are experts on the Rules of the Road – as they apply to motor
vehicles. They tend to ignore their side of the bargain, like stopping at red
lights and stop signs. They don’t mind backing up cars on two-lane highways.
(Points for bravery here; they know some drivers would prefer to squash them
like bugs.)
New
York cyclist Alex Bell secured a spot in the Asshat Hall of Fame by suing UPS,
claiming its trucks disrupt his commute by blocking designated bike lanes. The
original small claims case for $999 was thrown out for lack of evidence.
(Apparently Mr. Bell thought he’d win by whining to the arbitrator without
showing financial damage.)
Now the
complaint has been refiled, with Mr. Bell citing subway fares he had to pay to
get to his job as a software engineer.
But
probably not. Finding space to park a delivery truck in Manhattan is tough.
Plus, UPS claims that state law allows trucks to double-park as long as the
driver makes “an
expeditious attempt at delivery.” That includes in designated bike lanes.
UPS
apparently tried to settle the case, but not for the full $999. No deal was
struck because Mr. Bell insisted on the full amount …
… At
which point the company decided to say stick it, asshat. A lovely outcome.
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