By: jenny

jenny — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:58:55 +0000

Thanks for posting. This is a problem among many friends that we know who ride. I hope Weekly readers will let their elected officials know that bike safety is important to them. It must go both ways: cyclists must ride responsibly and cars must drive responsibly. \
\
http://www.transcoalition.org/ia/bikeinfr/01.html

By: d2sutton

d2sutton — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:12:07 +0000

As a long time bike rider, I agree that riding a bike in Bham is both unpopular with the masses and dangerous. Regarding Daniel’s story, I submit that he was at fault for following too closely especially when he was close enough to make eye contact. However, the person driving the car did not need to slam on the brakes that led to the incident. The same rules that apply to cars, apply to bicycles…no exceptions.\
\
I do not commute to work since my route takes me down 280. The only time I ride 280 is early on a Saturday or Sunday morning when I am headed for a group ride. Even then, I am uncomfortable on that particular road because there is typically no shoulder, hence no escape route.\
\
I have friends (one in particular) that are bike commuters. To me, the risk is not worth the gas savings. Most Bham roads are not designed for bicycles; and “share the road”, while a lofty goal, is not likely to be achieved with large SUVs and pickups prowling typically narrow roads.\
\
Bham is ill-suited for bicycle traffic due to existing terrain and shoulder-less roads. The average cyclist avoids hills like the plague. In Bham, if you are not riding downhill, you are usually riding uphill. Also, due to the terrain and mish mash of municipalities, roads were not constructed with alternate forms of transportation in mind. Therefore, unless the price of gas climbs to outrageously high prices, it seems unlikely that most commuters will opt for the bicycle.\
\
Last is the attitude of many area drivers. I have heard complaints of cyclists impeding traffic or that cyclists don’t pay taxes on their bikes. I have been dog-cussed, had things thrown at me, had cars swerve at me, had cars honk as they come up behind me, etc. In fact, Mike Bolton had an article in the Bham News this past Sunday discussing Olympic venues where he mentioned that cyclists clog Hwy 11 going into Springville and that drivers should drive by and spit tobacco juice on them. Although his story was “somewhat” tongue-in-cheek, it leaves a poor taste in one’s mouth if they choose to be a cyclist in this city.\
\
My advice to potential bike commuters – wear a helmet and get good life insurance!

Comments on: Hell on wheels: Bicycle blues in Birmingham

By: jenny

By: d2sutton