Bakersfield.com

Another fundraising event occurred this morning on the bike path.  It is a good cause, as many are, but once again people representing the organization somehow believe that they can ignore basic common sense and the law in the name of “doing good for the cause”.

Case in point:  I was biking, on the bike path, during the setup for the Diabetes walkathon.  Traveling eastbound, I was approaching the railroad under crossing, I noticed a westbound car on the bike path.  It would slow down occasionally at which time two people would jump off of the hood of the car place signs along the bike path and jump back on the hood of the car so it could proceed to place more signs.  As it came closer, I noticed that it was not a city vehicle, security patrol, or any other “authorized” vehicle.

 I slowed to a stop and spoke with the man driving and reminded him that motorized vehicles are not allowed on the bike path.  He said they were just putting up signs.  I asked why they couldn’t walk to place the signs, since all the other participants would be walking during the fundraiser.  He told me that the city said he could drive on the bike path to put up the signs.  

 When I first became aware of this incident the problem was simply another joker driving a vehicle where it legally didn’t belong.  As it unfolded, the real problem became apparent;  Some people think, in the name of “doing good”, they don’t need to follow basic common sense and laws - the people jumping off and on the moving vehicle’s hood were young teenagers. 

 Mr. Silver Mustang, you are plenty old enough to realize that a person can benefit a cause and still obey the laws and most importantly see to the safety of our children.   You had every opportunity to show those kids, and all the others watching, how to give back to the community and make reasonable, rational, safe choices.

 Lastly, Mr. Silver Mustang, your comment to me as I left to “Have a heart.” truly showed your ignorance.  I was on my way to participate in the Ron Fontaine Run at CALM.  The participants at that cause did it all legally without jeopardizing the safety of children or setting a bad example for them.