Message: You have to do something about your products users. Some sort of responsible behaviour training. Here is a rant I made some months ago to a bicycle specific mailing list. (btw, my hand is still in pain) I am now convinced that there must be something about either cycling specific shoes, clipless pedal cleats, or perhaps the little mirror I have on my helmet that attracts users of inline skates so strongly that they crash into me. I used to think that it was a property of the bicycle, until last night. I went for an evening ride, and stopped to listen to some bagpipe players practicing in a local park last night. My bike was 10 feet away, leaning against a tree. I was standing off the path, on a place where the paving had been widened to accommodate a manhole. A skater was skating backwards, and ran into me, knocking me over. I jammed several fingers landing (officially hyperextention of a long list of Latin words). My hand is now in a brace, and since I already have chronic tendinitis, it may well be the better part of a year before it returns to its normal level of pain. I have no idea who the skater is, he picked himself up, and sprinted off, before I had a chance to get up myself, let alone time to offer my speculations on his parentage, and level of intelligence. (I suppose he was displaying some intelligence, for if I knew who he was, I would bring a charge of battery against him, in addition to a civil action that would include the maker of the skates. Not knowing who it was, or what brand of skates he wore makes such actions much more difficult.) I had to ride the remaining three miles home with my left (small favor, at least I can still write) arm on my lap. What particularly gets me about the clown last night, is that he was being spectacturaly irresponsible. This is a fairly popular park, and this was a busy time for a weekday. He shouldn't have been skating at speed on the path, let alone not facing the direction of travel. While I would have preferred that he instead have hit a brick wall, I at least had comparable mass to him, and still have reasonable bone strength, even if my tendons are in poor shape. Had he hit one of the parks frailer users, the result could have included a broken hip, or worse. (it is popular with seniors, who often take their evening constutional 4 abreast across the path.) I don't ride thru it normally (I'm not gonna take out someones grandmother), and in fact had walked my bike to listen to the pipers. When I have complained about problem interactions with skaters before, it was suggested that part of the problem was that I was using the bike path, as they aren't safe for bicyles any more. Well on Sunday, I came up behind two skaters on the road, in single file, climbing a hill. I made the usual "passing left" cry, and started to pass. The second skater was headphone equipped, and thus apparently didn't hear me. He started to pass the lead skater as my front wheel pulled alongside. His skate struck my wheel, luckily at ground level. That is when he became aware of my presence. We both managed to remain upright, and I swerved further out into the traffic lane (I had checked for oncoming cars before starting to pass. The skater didn't). Again, no apology was offered by the skater, I suggested that wearing headphones weren't a good idea on the street, he made an obscene reply. At this point, I am very tempted to switch from my current long wheelbase, fairly low bottom bracket recumbent bike, to a short wheelbase recumbent with a high bottom bracket (a design that places the pedals and chainwheels at the very front of the bike about 25 to 30 inches off the ground), and equip it with an extra "chainring", a 14" carbide tipped one from that well known bike parts maker Black & Decker. The electric bell that I have mounted inside the bar is clearly inaudible, even at times to those that aren't blocking out the world. I have heard speculation on a "lower pitch" air horn that operates off a water bottle filled with compressed air. (the message they convey is _LARGE TRUCK_ not bicycle). (of course that wouldn't have helped with the incident that prompted me to dictate this rant. Some of your users have clearly taken too many falls without a helmet. Others just don't have a clue about rules of the road. I repeatedly have problems with skaters that make sudden U turns without looking, nor was this the first time I have had a problem with a skater skating in the direction they did not face. (I was riding, they were oncoming, I was able to evade by putting my bike into the drainage ditch beside the path). SECOND Message: I just read your "asphalt bites" safety tips. NOT ONCE DOES IT MENTION OTHER VEHICLES AND RULES OF THE ROAD. It talks about saving the riders skin, but not that of the other users of the space they inflict themselves on. No mention is made about operating at night, etc. You don't suggest a mirror, and the "quiz" that tells people to ditch the headphones isn't mentioned on the page. This is truly irresponsible, and I hope some jury suitably penalizes you for your stupid actions. Since I wish to retain my anonymity, please send the reply to cypherpunks@toad.com, and I will see it. No, I don't want an apology, I want notice that the web page, and product packaging has been updated, stressing that inline skaters need to learn to a: share, b: be aware of other traffic (don't U turn into the path of another user, look before making any sudden change of direction or lane) c: don't come to a sudden stop in the middle of a mixed use "bike" path because a friend was coming the other direction, and you stopped to chat, d: operate "predictably" so if nothing else the other users can take steps to avoid you. e: ditch the tunes, f: have at least one set of eyes facing the direction you are travelling (yes, you can ride backwards, but you have to have someone spotting for you for the whole time) g: stay out of the lane that is for oncoming traffic -- if the path is narrow (like most rail trails) this means ride in single file. REPLY FROM ROLLERBLADE INC. Dear Mr. Random Nerd: Thank you for your e-mail message concerning in-line skating safety and more specifically, the "rules of the road". Public trails are used for many types of sporting activities (walking, biking, skating etc.). What the issue becomes is that all of us must learn to be courteous to other types of users, much like on public roadways which are utilized by cars, trucks, and motorcycles where everyone must adhere to a common set of rules. Regarding your issue with Rollerblade Inc., we feel that your anger towards us is misdirected. A good analogy to help me illustrate the issue for you would be this: if a person walking down the road throws a McDonalds wrapper on the ground, is McDonalds littering? It is up to us all to be skating (and biking) ambassadors who educate those who are beginners about the "rules of the road (trails)". Just as there are problems with uncourteous skaters, there are also uncourteous bikers out there who choose not to follow these rules. Rollerblade recognized early on the importance of safety education in creating this sport. We helped to create and, along with numerous other in-line skate manufacturers, heavily support an industry wide organization called the IISA (International In-Line Skating Association). The IISA has several programs like the Instructor Certification Program, and the National Skate Patrol that are aimed at educating skaters. National Skate Patrol members are much like National Ski Patrol members with obvious differences based on the specific activity. Members skate local parks and trails to be of assistance to skaters and to educate beginning skaters about safety and "the rules". The IISA also publishes "Rules of the Road" which gives tips to skaters about how to legally, and courteously skate. The IISA also helps to promote our "Asphalt Bites" Campaign which details the importance of always wearing protective gear while in-line skating. In addition to the efforts above, all your comments listed in points "a" through "g" are covered in the "Rules of the Road" on page 4 of our Owners Handbook that comes with each pair of Rollerblade skates. I have listed them below for your reference... 1. Always wear protective gear: helmet, wrist guards, knee & elbow pads 2. Take a lesson or learn in-line skating basics, such as controlling speed, turning, braking, stopping before you skate 3. Stay alert. Always skate under control. 4. Stay away from water, oil, debris, sand and uneven or broken pavement 5. Avoid areas with heavy traffic 6. Observe all traffic regulations 7. Skate on the right of the path. When you pass a walker, biker or another skater, move to the left. 8. Never allow yourself to be towed by a motorized vehicle or bicycle. 9. Avoid wearing headphones or anything that makes it hard to hear 10. Never wear anything that blocks your vision, and never skate at night or any time it is hard to see. I hope you come to find that we are as concerned as you about people enjoying public places and the outdoors. In most states, skates and bikes are wheeled vehicles that are subject to the same rules as motorists. Educating people to use public places takes an effort on everyones part. If you would like us to send a copy of our owners manual or any other safety information, please email us with your address. Thanks again...Skate (bike) the World!!! Webtech5 Rollerblade Consumer Service