Editor, The Spotlight;
June 25 on NYS Route 144, three cyclists were riding along the shoulder when the last cyclist was hit from behind by a vehicle. The cyclist was wearing a bright yellow high visibility cycling jersey. The cyclist sustained serious injuries.
The number of cycling and pedestrian accidents continues to increase in the US and in our own community due to several reasons: Distracted driving, talking on cell phones, texting, drugs and alcohol all contribute to the incidence rate.
The Town of Bethlehem has a committee called the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee. This committee has been working on ways to increase safe cycling and pedestrian awareness in our own community. The main points have been engineering, education and enforcement. Engineering is for safe road and sidewalks for cyclists and pedestrians to travel about in our community. Education to increase awareness and promote a share the road concept for vehicle drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Enforcement as necessary to encourage positive behavior and if necessary provide tickets for inappropriate behavior. In spite of the efforts in our community there continues to be accidents that have tragic results.
The schools have just closed for the summer, and many young people will be out and about in our community. Many of them will be walking and use the designated crosswalks that exist. Most vehicle drivers still do not stop for a pedestrian in the cross walk. The vehicle law says drivers must stop no matter what portion of the roadway the pedestrian is in — even if they are not in your lane, you are obligated to stop. It would even be courteous to stop if you see someone waiting at the curb waiting to cross. It is risky business to step off the curb at a crosswalk not knowing if a driver will stop.
For cyclists, it is even more challenging. A cyclist is considered a vehicle and is allowed to use the lane as necessary and should ride to the shoulder, except when potholes or debris prevents them from doing so. As a cyclist, I have had many incidents over the years, including being pushed off the road by a truck mirror, had objects thrown at me, had a driver pass me and make a right turn in front of me, had drivers yell at me to “get off their road,” and even had a driver cross the yellow line to play “chicken” with me. I do not understand this behavior, nor do I understand how today, a driver could have been so irresponsible to hit a cyclist from behind who was doing all the right things on what was meant to be an enjoyable summer afternoon.
It is imperative that we all behave responsibly as drivers, be courteous and “Share the Road.” Is that too much to ask? It just might save the life of your friend or neighbor.
Oliver “Skip” Holmes
Delmar
