State Senator Sandy Jerstad (D-12/Sioux Falls) just secured my vote... should she ever move to District 8 or run for a higher office I can vote for. Sen. Jerstad addressed a packed house (not just tax protestors, but lots of bike folks, reports Tez at Journey, Not Destination) at the Sioux Falls City Commission meeting last night about the need to make Sioux Falls more bicycle-friendly. SDPB played audio this morning in which Jerstad said all too often she'll be bicycling around the city and encounter motorists who will drive by and shout obscenities at her or even try to crowd her off the road with their cars.
I must admit, I've been fortunate in my Madison and Lake County biking experiences. Folks around here generally give cyclists wide berth, especially when they see my recumbent and slow down to see just what the heck that contraption is. But our country roads are not wholly honyocker-free: Scott Parsley tells of a harrowing morning ride last summer when a semi grazed him on his morning ride on Highway 34.
Jerstad advocated, among other things, dedicated lanes for bicyclists on city streets. Hear, hear! Whether it takes a couple more white stripes on the road or just some common sense from folks piloting two tons of steel to Starbucks, bicyclists deserve more room on the roads. Bicyclists may be the most patriotic Americans on the road, willing to fight dependence on foreign oil with their own sweat (and preferably not blood).
We're Americans: we respect self-reliance; we should respect bicyclists. Give 'em a smile, and give 'em room!
This may be a silly question, but why can't people ride their bikes on sidewalks? When I take my kids out they sit in the pull behind buggy and I just wouldn't feel safe with them out on the "real road".
ReplyDelete"sidewalk" -- operative term there is walk. ;-)
ReplyDeleteBikes can crowd out foot traffic. Bikes can move at traffic speeds in the city; they're better off in the street with the rest of the wheels. Motorists have an obligation to make bicyclists feel safe by giving them room.
The city where I live has bike lanes on nearly every street, and it works really well.
ReplyDeleteThis problem was solved in civilized countries with a bike lane. The bike lane is marked. It's usually either the outer portion of the sidewalk or the outer edge of the road. Oh, in such circumstances, bikes have the right of way. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_the_Netherlands
ReplyDelete