What's in a Word? Bikelash!

Subject: Word Spy - bikelash bikelash n. A strong, negative reaction towards cyclists, particularly by police officers or drivers. Also: bike-lash. Example Citations: Call it a bikelash! The NYPD has been ordered to begin a borough-wide crack-down that will hit renegade riders for often-overlooked "vehicular offenses" like failing to obey traffic signals and signs, breaking the speed limit, tailgating, and even failure to signal before turning.  —Thomas Tracy, "Bikelash! Cops to crack down on two-wheelers," New York Post, January 5, 2011 There's a feeling among many drivers that cyclists, either by their ignorance of the law or by their blatant disregard for it, are asking for trouble. ... In one sense, the so-called bikelashhas little to do with transportation modes.  —Tom Vanderbilt, "Rage Against Your Machine," Outside, March 2, 2011 Earliest Citation: Britain's army of cyclists are facing a bike-lash because of their increasingly illegal and aggressive behaviour, according to new research.  —Emma Wall, "New motorists being driven round the bend," Daily Star, October 19, 2007

editor's note: We get hints of "bikelash" here in Charleston all the time as people demand that we do more to educate people on two wheels about where they're supposed to be in traffic and what their responsibilities are.  The short answer is that people on bikes should behave just like people behind the wheels of automobiles and trucks.
CHARLESTON MOVES continues to work to educate cyclists and work with others toward the same goal.  When you see someone on two wheels doing something stupid and/or illegal, DON'T scream.  Just try to calmly point out what's wrong and why it's important to observe the laws.