Let me say now: I whole-heartedly agree with her sentiment that I was in the wrong, as I on principle also disagree with the practise (although, honestly, I had never had much trouble with bicycles on sidewalks. I step aside; I move on). Perhaps she had had some poor experiences with rude cyclists, or maybe her first son got run over by one or what have you. Even so, I felt maligned.  

She will never see this, of course. But I am a petty human being. I am filled with a desire for justice, which naturally compels me to, yes, blog it.

(1) The only reason I dared to risk Toronto bylaw -- because they are of course ever so strictly enforced -- was because the sidewalk was deserted, in a quiet residential neighbourhood. If, say, a string of kindergarten children or newborn kittens stood in my bike's trajectory, I would certainly have restrained myself. A lone, snotty woman who did not even stop to reprimand me but merely kept walking out of what I perceived as cowardice I consider low priority.

(2) I have this distinct feeling that she would have never spoken to me if I had been a burly, well-tattooed man, or an elderly woman. I feel this, because I have a friend who is exactly the same type. She would rebuke young teenagers and stylishly dressed professional couriers, but never a word against tough-looking men, or those revelling in their golden age (the appropriate term nowadays, apparently). I have held my tongue against her, because she is a friend standing up for her personal principles. But if we are walking through a rough part of the city at 2:30 AM, I should think that it is a small sacrifice to just shut up until we have passed through. (The streets at this time, of course, are otherwise totally empty anyway.)

(3) I stopped for her to pass, with plenty of room to spare. I think, such a courtesy could have been acknowledged. I was barely a five-man posse forcing my way by in a storm of pedals, spokes, and thick-tread wheels with enough grip to rip the flesh off your bones.

(4) Very clever of you to quote the fine at me (which according to her is, by the way, $190). Pity you have no authority to enforce it, deferring to a higher power who is performing more important duties at this moment such as guarding your home city and your children. It is more of a pity that you so sincerely believe such monetary pittances deter any intent of criminal activity.

(5) I was honestly amazed that she did not say a word about my lack of protective headgear. It astonished me exactly how much "self" was in her self-righteousness. She had absolutely not a drop of concern about the fact I was potentially risking my life, but only that she had a street-length of space for her walking pleasure. I said as much to her, but she was too far away and I was unable to discern her reply.

(6) This is my lower class prejudice coming through. She was a well-dressed woman, living on a fairly well-to-do street. Frankly, it seems to me that only a few members of such a group would be able to have the time and inclination to bother fellow citizens about their transportation habits. The same will also rebuke you for consuming meat even when you are a natural omnivore, and make loud noises of disgust while you try to eat with what's left of your dignity and self-control.

(7) Finally, I really do think there are greater causes to champion. Harassing a cyclist would be low on my list of "Things to Do for the World Today."

Consider. At least I was riding a bike. I was not enjoying the recirculated air inside my monstrous sport utility vehicle guzzling fifty litres of petrol oil (the car, not me) while contemplating my next plan to disembowel and eat orphaned baby birds. You should have been thanking me.

But anyway. The bike's looking really good.