Tar and Feather the Motorists

Traffic on El Camino Real
Originally uploaded by richardmasoner.

As if there weren't already enough angry people in Austin, now the bicyclists are upset that drivers who kill cyclists are getting off to easy. So now there's a campaign to make sure lawmakers crack the whip on said drivers. I'm not sure about details, because I was getting ready for work when I heard this on the news, but I did hear something about the campaign arising from a fatality that occured on Highway 360, right in the middle of Austin.

I'm not saying I advocate running cyclists over (I really do think it's sad), and cyclists have every right to be on crowded highways, but don't you run a risk when you do certain things, like ride your bicycle on a highway jammed with SUVs, designed without bike lanes?

What I wonder is, who do these cyclists think motorists are, exactly? A bunch of murderers out cruising to Kinkos, hoping to slaughter a cyclist or two on the way?

And I'm not sure what the punishment is now, but I'm thinking, in addition to lifelong guilt and nightmarish memories, the motorists are probably getting more than a slap on the wrist.

To my knowledge, only state and federal lawmakers can change these types of punishments. So, do cyclists think that senators are cool with the fatalities? Like, they roll into, say, San Antonio, for some interim conference and crack jokes about how fun it will be to run cyclists off the road once they get back to Austin? "Oh those ignorant cyclists," they say. "Let's make sure we don't punish whoever hits them so that the bloodbaths will continue. BWAH HA HA HA HA!"

This begs the obvious question: Why don't cyclists ride on country roads (or at least not highways)? Is that too simple? Or does that lack the thrill of not knowing if an Escalade will hurl you head first into your final breath? Just curious.