Campaign 'pedals' bike safety
Motorists, cyclists agree courtesy needs to come from both sides
When it comes to sharing the road, some motorists and bicyclists face a challenge when traveling on the scenic, yet curvy roads that wind through the foothills. This week the Placer County Sheriff’s Office announced it will launch an enforcement campaign to educate both bike riders and vehicle drivers about the rules of the road. Capt. David Harris said in a press release that the campaign is in response to multiple complaints the office has received regarding bicycle riders not yielding to stop signs and some stop lights in the area. Sgt. Kurt Walker added that there will be enforcement if necessary but he said deputies’ primary goal is to inform. Walker, a former bicycle officer in Davis, said he understands frustration from both sides. “Up here we don’t have as many bike lanes,” Walker said. “People have to understand they have to share the roadway to make it safe all around.” Auburn resident Chris Shannon says she been both a bike rider and driver on local roads. She said as a bike rider, she was once knocked off her bike when she was hit by a car’s side-view mirror. As a driver, she’s happened upon two bike riders with one standing about three feet out into Bald Hill Road at a point of a blind curve. She said she believes bicyclists “have every right to be on those roads” but wishes that some had a higher level of awareness. “I think there’s a lack of awareness that the roads out here are different than they might be in Roseville or in the valley,” Shannon said. “(Bicyclists) just need to pay attention a little more as to how what they’re doing not only endangers themselves, but also puts (motorists) in a precarious position.” Wise Road resident David Chaddock said he thinks courtesy is key when it comes to motorist and bicyclist encounters. “Sure bicyclists have the right and as far as I’m concerned they have every right to use and enjoy the roads, but they also need to exhibit the courtesy that I show them,” Chaddock said. Chaddock said when he’s encountered two bicyclists riding side by side, they usually quickly move into single file after he gives a quick toot on his horn. Road cyclist Doug Houston said that is a helpful tip other motorists should keep in mind. Houston said he became serious about road cycling a little over three years ago. Some days he bikes the 95 miles roundtrip from his Auburn home to his Sacramento job. He also participates in road cycling competitions. About two years ago, he took a job as legislative advocate for the California Bicycle Coalition. “We’re lagging far behind in terms of bicycle infrastructure in this state so conflicts are going to be inevitable,” Houston said. Houston said that cycling related activity sales and tourism generated about $1.5 billion in the state last year, which accounted for 25 percent of total nationwide bike related sales. He said the coalition continues to sponsor legislation that promotes road cycling including the Cycling Routes of State and Regional Significance Act. The Act, if passed by state lawmakers, would allow local entities to designate specific routes as national, state or regional significance, which means more signage on roads and increased awareness of cyclists on those routes. Houston acknowledged that at times, cyclists are “our own worst enemy.” “We have to remain mindful that we don’t have a lot of metal around us,” Houston said. “We’re vulnerable and need to take extra precautions so motorists aren’t put in peril themselves.” Houston said it helps if motorists give more room when passing and a short toot on the horn lets a cyclist know that a car is behind them. “We can’t always hear them,” Houston said. He added that motorists should keep in mind that many road shoulders are covered with debris and sometimes bicyclists veer out into the lane to avoid hazards. “We’re not being jerks,” Houston said. “We’re engaged in an activity that’s regular behavior and we get over as far as it’s reasonably practical.” From the perspective of a motorist, Chaddock said he doesn’t want to cause problems for bicyclists. He said he think the Placer Sheriff’s campaign will be a “very good awakening for bicyclists and motorists alike.” “Maybe it will teach the motorists to slow down,” Chaddock said. “And maybe it will teach bicyclists to have to share just as much as we do.” Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com.
----------
A meeting of the bikes What: Town of Loomis Bikeway and Trails Master Plan Public Workshop When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 Where: Town of Loomis Depot, 5775 Horseshoe Bar Road Call: Brian Fragiao, Town Engineer, (916) 652-1840
----------
|
Change Location:
|
Drivers that get upset because of spandex and bright colors will always be a danger to cyclist. There are the ones that think their need to hurry gives them the right to act stupid and endanger themselves and the bikers. Don't forget the grouchy ones that think a bike has no right on their road and pass as close as they can get to the bike or force dangerous situations. Maybe we can have a town hall in Auburn. Invite the people who wrote letters complaining and threatening cyclist with bikers that use the road regularly. Should be quite a show.
Chuxxr, are you looking for solutions or confrontation? Come on, this post is way beneath you. We should be working towards a solution before someone gets killed on the road. Let's work together rather than increasing the chasm even more.
Good work Doug...
Some one has already been killed. Lincoln 2007 a woman wearing dark clothing failed to stop at a stop sign and was killed by an 18 wheeler. She was also riding her bike in a cross walk which is against the law and was not wearing a helmet. We need all local law enforcement to start enforcing the bike laws that are the same as motor vehicle laws.
They don't "inform" automobile drivers about the rules of the road; they issue citations when they violate them. Bicyclists should be treated no differently but that's not what's going to happen......and nothing will change.
Loomis OK, I feel that comments about cyclist's garb is distracting from real dialogue on the subject. People are unaware of the laws about cyclist. We're just lucky that no one has been hurt by some person that feels more entitled to the road than cyclist.
Everyone should get together and maybe the CHP or PCSO can give a demonstration of how to ride and drive safe and The rules involving each group. People are under the impression that the "white line denotes a bike lane when in fact it does not.
People that are in a hurry, whether they have a reason or not, are the greatest danger to all of us drivers and bikers and pedestrians.
Jennifer Gee quoted me correctly in her story, but I would like to add that "There is no way I would EVER let my daughter ride her bike on Wise Road it is just not safe! Wise road is a lot wider than it was forty years ago, and the road surface is much better. This tends to let motorists think that they can go faster on road that was once an old wagon trail.
Gee went on to quote houston as saying “We can’t always hear them." On many occassions as a motorist and as a pedestrian, I have been suprised by bicyclists because I did not hear them either. I would also say that I believe that bicyclists that can not hear a car coming up behind them should wear the rearview mirrors on their helmets.
I am sick of the public assuming because .01 % of the bicycle community are jerks, we must all be.
I've got a mirrior...I've got a helmet and I ride that white line and you know what? I'm the guy you might have to slow down for on acurve. Oh well. Get over it.
Cycling does a number of positive things for this community:
1. Reduces health care costs..I'm in shape...thus preventive health care costs are reduced.
2. I commute 2 days a week for a total of 65 miles. So I'm patriotic. I 'm not using forgein terrorist owned oil.
3. I take up 5% of the road. So that means I'm using 95% less of the road. So I'm saving tax payers wear and tear, and reducing over all traffic on freeways.
4. I support local businesses by purchasing drinks, food etc along a route. I'm improving the economy.
How is any of this bad?
I had the chance to cycle cross country this summer for 2 weeks in Montana and Canada. The politest dirivers I have ever seen. Same type of roads...Mountains and curves. Not one jerk yelled at me for daring to ride his roads. In fact, they really dug the idea we wanted to experience their state and country in an unique way. That is why we have so many folks on the country roads here. They love our countryside...maybe we should all take it as a compliment and appreciate the economic boon they bring to our area.
kings_29, what you are seeing is the new face of Placer County. People have moved here from areas where rudeness prevails and unfortunately they have brought it with them, yes there are exceptions to every rule. Those bad riders are probably the bad drivers also, lack of consideration doesn't discriminate between 2 or 4 wheels.
I don't believe for one moment that bad cyclists are just .01%, it is much higher. As a rider myself I have experienced them on the roads, on the American River Parkway, the Secret Ravine parkway and everywhere two wheels abound, they are probably more inconsiderate of other cyclists than they are of car drivers.
We need to start communicating rather than assuming we're perfect, no one is.
Doug Houston echoes productive ideas. It's good practice for motorists to give a polite tap on the horn from 100 yards or so back to let cyclists know they're there, to give riders time to move over. This differs from blaring a horn 50' back, why the finger comes up (which is wrong). I agree that a large percentage of cyclists do not practice safe riding, but I'll add that a large percentage of motorists do not interact safely with cyclists. Ever stop at a 4-way intersection where some well-meaning driver waives you through out of turn? That's a very dangerous situation, I shake my head "no" and put my foot down because the other drivers don't know how to react.
Along with a focus on what cyclists are doing wrong, I think a strong public education campaign is in order, to teach motorists the law, what they're doing wrong, and how to correctly interact with cyclists. Many drivers are completely in the dark about cyclists' rights under the law, especially that they can and many times must ride to the left of the solid white line painted along the edge of the roadway.
It's time for a Journal article with CHP/PC Sheriffs explaining those laws and motorists' responsibilities, including that the priority is not strict adherence to the law in all instances, rather it's safety, both of cyclists and motorists. What's also needed in Placer is a couple of severe criminal prosecutions of motorists who harass or even attack cyclists, to set a public example.
I don't live there but I visit my daughter occasionally and you folks have the worst roads for biking. Any biker is nuts and is only trying to make possibly a fatal point in that part of Cal. I live in Western Washington and in the area I am in most of the roads, even in the country, have a 2-3 foot edge for bikes. I don't like dealing with bikers but at least it is mostly safe here and I try to bend. I agree with the article they are a thoughtless bunch and have not clue of blind hills or curves. I too have come around a corner to have them standing in the road discussing some important issue. They do not obey road signs and the worst are nuts pulling a baby trailer behind them along busy roads with trucks swishing by.
laughwithu, great post. Thanks