Coming across Jeff in traffic on his (now stolen and missing) powered bike was a bit alarming because to my primary senses he was riding a bicycle - at something like 40 mph, which twisted my reality for a quarter-second or so, while I adjusted myself to the idea of extremely fast-moving bicycles. The danger he faced was all-too real...
Meanwhile, coming back from Mt Vernon, Paul and I saw a guy in the Thompson Canyon on the highway between two towns - on an electric mobility scooter. If seeing Jeff slicing traffic made me worry - seeing this guy grinding down the inside edge of the lane at 6mph on the twisty highway was downright terrifying.
All a matter of perspective, I suppose, where the balance-point between risk and reward is, as well as between personal freedom and the obligations of good public order. It takes a fairly aggressive or a very careful person to ride a regular bicycle lin heavy traffic safely - especially in traffic that only sees bicycles for a short period every year - what it takes to ride one safely at almost double the expected speed is beyond me. I guess the answer that occurs most naturally to that question, when I thnk about it, would be 10-20 more mph, and lights - which brings us to the motorcycle.
