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Vikings' Brett Favre Schools San Francisco's 49ers and Cyclists!
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The Minnesota Vikings' quaterback, Brett Favre, provided another thrilling victory in his storied career yesterday, while leading his team against coach Mike Singletary's San Francisco 49ers! In orchestrating an 80-yard drive in his 43rd career fourth-quarter-comeback, Favre broke the collective heart of San Franciscan's, who had watced their own team play an otherwise great game.
Unintentionally, Favre's performance yesterday also provided San Francisco cyclists and drivers with some much-needed, yet rarely-heeded, advice on sharing the road in California's favorite city:
1. Respect the Game (aka "Sharing the Road") and the Others Playing the Game With You!
(AP Photo/ Paul Battaglia)
Favre and Singletary, photographed at mid-field after the game yesterday, are both famous for their competitiveness, yet even after their hard-fought battle yesterday, they respectfully shook hands. Often, before and after games, opposing players of NFL games ask eachother about their families and children--mindful their opponents are people, just like them. Cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers can learn a lot from this simple photograph.
Maybe you squeeze your bike through the smallest of spaces as you weave your way to and from your apartment. Or maybe you walk, take transit, or drive your car wherever you go in the bay area. Whichever transportation method you choose, mutual respect for the other people using the streets and sidewalks will go a long way toward cultivating a friendlier, safer, and healthier city. Like you, the other people sharing the streets and sidewalks and subways of the city have friends, families, and perhaps children--all of whom who care deeply about them. Remember that as you compete for space during your commute.
2. Big Hits Can Really Hurt! Avoid Getting Hit!
(AP Photo/ Paul Battaglia)
In yesterday's game, the well-conditioned 200+ pound Brett Favre was hit repeatedly by stronger, faster, and heavier men wearing 49ers' uniforms, and being hit really hurts! The Metrodome's field is not nearly as unforgiving as concrete curbs, sidewalks, and blacktop surfaces, the men hitting Favre are not nearly as big as street cars, taxi cabs, Muni buses, SUVs, or the Muni trains, and Favre is well-protected with helmet, shoulder pads, and rib protection, yet the replays of each hit and tackle made fans cringe with anxiety. It looks painful, because it is painful. Favre, and most of the others on the field yesterday, will spend some part of today in large ice baths, attempting to heal the deep bruises they woke up with this morning. Constantly aware they can be hit hard at any time on the field, they usually avoid more serious injury through awareness and playing by the rules.
Often, cyclists and pedestrians clad only in linens and denim dart across streets, in front of cars, against red lights, and without regard for the safety of those around them. These cumulative acts of sheer stupidity add up to increased risk of injury or death for all.
3. Following the rules reduces tension and the possibility of injuries.
In yesterday's game, players weren't allowed to trip their opponents, or block them in the back, or tackle them out of bounds in order to prevent serious injuries. There's a lot of traffic in the bay area, and thankfully there are a myriad of laws and rules governing cars, bikes, and pedestrians.
(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Here are some general rules of the road, which make the game a whole lot safer for all:
--Bikes should follow the same rules as cars. (Stopping at stop signs and red lights included.)
--Pedestrians have the sidewalks to themselves.
--Pay attention to what's going on around you, and let others know what you're about to do.
--Stay off the cell phone when driving or biking.
--Obey all traffic signals, even if you're running late for something.
--If a bus weighing upwards of 10,000 pounds, moving at 30 miles per hour, impacts a helmetless cyclist or pedestrian who just cut in front of it, people get hurt or killed.
--Cutting in front of another cyclist or automobile without looking and signaling causes accidents.
--Wait until the light changes, and watch for vehicles running the red light.
--Stay cool and be nice!
4. Really Strange Stuff Happens, So Wear Your Helmet!
Yesterdays' game was full of excitement and surprises. From a blocked field goal return for a touchdown, to the amazing play to end the game, anyone playing or watching was genuinely surprised at least a half dozen times. In real life, not confined by a 100-yard by-50 yard field ruled to order by referees and coaches, much stranger things happen--especially on the streets of California. Wear your helmet! ( http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20082-SF-Cycling-Examiner~y2009m8d24-Save-Your-Life--Always-Wear-Your-Bike-Helmet )
(AP Photo/Nick Ut)
5. No One is Invincible -- Not Even the Young, Strong, and Fast Among Us!
(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Coming into yesterday's game, 49ers' running back Frank Gore was leading his team, and most of the other running backs in the NFL in rushing. He is certainly a talented young man, with better periferal vision and game awareness than most people show on their daily commute. Yet, yesterday he suffered a serious ankle injury, which made him exit the game early.
As you ride your bike, drive your car, and walk through the streets of San Francisco today, try your best to respect and be friendly toward those around you, be aware of the traffic in order to avoid being hit, follow the rules of the game, always wear your helmet, and remember you're not invincible--and neither is anyone else.
(AP Photo/John Gearan)
(Be sure to read Mark Loy's other Examiner.com articles on cylcing in the SF Bay Area. You can also subscribe to his articles, and get automatic updates when he writes.)
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