Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:50:51 -0500
From: Alfred Wyllie
Subject: And yet another cycling accident near Jordan Lake
Having just caught up with the news of the recent hit and run incident in North Chatham County in the Raleigh paper, where comments were abundant on both sides of the issue of cyclists on the roads, it is perhaps time to remind those cycling on the roads around Jordan Lake that certain risks must be accepted in this sport, just as risks have to be accepted when skiing down a mountain. There are many boat trailers traversing these roads and many drivers have no idea whether their boat trailer tires are on the road or not. The sun is going down in the afternoons, often creating glares on the windows of motorists when many are cycling and not clearly seen.
While many cyclists are reducing their risks by riding single file on the side of the road, others with apparent reading disabilities are ignoring Stop signs and No Parking signs and/or causing accidents by being an unexpected distraction on the road, like a deer darting across the road. I couldn’t help but be amused by one commentor who thought those in bike rallys should have a parade permit and a police escort. While bike rallys offer more to the sport, it is probably only a matter of time until someone in a hurry or who is under the influence of some drug, barrels into one of these bike rally groups. Of course, it is going to be the fault of the motorist when that happens, but does it really matter if you’re in the ground or laying in traction for months or years following? Would there even be enough insurance to cover several hurt or killed?
The American Tobacco Trail and many lightly used roads in Chatham County offer much less risks to the cyclist than many of the main roads I have observed cyclists and rally bikers using. Would you go jogging down the middle of the road? Would people think you were impaired if you did? How much slower than normal traffic does one have to go before they endanger themselves or others on the road?