Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Dear Upset Asshole

... who lives in my condo complex,

I know it's really a drag to be driving behind a street-legal scooter that has a top speed of 30 mph on level ground, but if you check into Tennessee law, you'll see that they don't register vehicles and issue license plates for vehicles that aren't allowed to use the public thoroughfares (see Tennessee code 55-8-101(34), which states: "'Motorized bicycle' means a vehicle with two (2) or three (3) wheels, an automatic transmission, and a motor with a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters (50cc) which produces no more than two (2) brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the vehicle at a maximum design speed of no more than thirty miles per hour (30 mph) on level ground. The operator of a motorized bicycle must be in possession of a valid operator's or chauffeur's license, and shall be subject to all applicable and practical rules of the road. A motorized bicycle may not be operated on a highway of the interstate and defense highway system, any similar limited access multilane divided highway, or upon sidewalks (emphasis mine);").

Guess what? Annex Avenue is none of the above exceptions.

Buddy, I pay my taxes just like you do, and have as much right to use the streets of Nashville as you do. If for some reason you're in a huge hurry on Annex Ave. (speed limit 35 mph), and you're behind me, briefly toot your horn, or flash your lights and wave, and I'll probably pull over and let you pass.

Pull your car in front of me, and get out again, cussing and telling me what I can and can't do is not likely to end well for you, next time. It almost didn't, this time. The law is on my side, and I don't take shit from people who act like entitled assholes.
.

7 comments :

Sandy-LA 90034 said...

Good grief, Jeff! I hope you told him what for!

People today seem to be so stuck in their tiny little brains that they don't have empathy for the next guy.

Is that one of the things that has put you out of sorts lately?

Anonymous said...

I've been a runner and bicyclist for 28 years now, and I've lost count of the times I've gotten that kind of crap from idiots like your "friend".
They're self-centered twits, much like the wingnut crowd.

Anonymous said...

People are total assholes, man. I hope the dude gets a flat tire. :)

Kathy T. said...

If it makes you feel any better, I posted something just for you! We've got to stop meeting like this! ha!

Slartibartfast said...

On ANNEX AVENUE?????

People have always driven too fast on that road (for the last 40 years) - you've just highlighted the problem in a new way.

William said...

"they don't register vehicles and issue license plates for vehicles that aren't allowed to use the public thoroughfares"

I subverted this rule by titling my dirtbike (a Suzuki DR100) in VA and transfering the title to TN. I have a registered and tagged street legal minibike that gets nearly 100 mpg. (It'll do 55 mph). I did add brake lights mirrors and horn.

Pen Ultimate said...

William -- Well, sure... any law can be broken. Point being, in my case, none were. The scooter, slow though it may be, is completely legal for street use (with the exception of interstates and similar limited access divided highways).
.

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