Adopt An Active Defense
There has been a great injustice done in this community over the past couple of months and we are all to blame. We have mourned the loss of two young bicyclists and we have sought to blame someone for these tragedies. In the first incident, we blamed a 66-year-old woman. In the second, we blamed a 32-year-old mother of four.
These two drivers did not “run down” these riders and they will suffer a lifetime for their part in these unfortunate accidents. The sad truth is that the cyclists shared some of the responsibility. Until fellow bicyclists in this community admit this fact, the community will not have any healing.
Daily, in my commuting in and around Spokane, I witness the potential for another bicyclist to be seriously injured or killed by an automobile. Casual riders try to use a busy street with no safe shoulders at peak traffic times. Members of cycling clubs ride three abreast on a highway. One recent day, I witnessed a couple pulling a child-bicycle buggy on a road that has no shoulder. These situations and others scare the hell out of me, not only for the cyclist but also for the drivers of the automobiles. I have been an avid cyclist for 25 years and I have even commuted by bicycle. So, I have some advice on how we cyclists can reduce our risk on the road.
Always outfit yourself and your bike with the proper gear. If it is raining or getting dark, light-colored clothes, lots of reflectors and lights are a must.
Try to avoid heavily traveled streets, especially those without shoulders. Most certainly avoid these streets during rush hours and obey all rules of the road.
Always stay as far to the right as possible. Resist the temptation to ride two or three abreast.
Cyclists, please do not be offended when passing cars toot their horns. They are usually only warning you that they are now passing.
Bicycle race and tour organizers, please try to organize these races/rides for the least congested areas and, if possible, on roads and streets with shoulders.
Parents, always teach your children that the driver of an automobile may not even see them, let alone stop for them while they’re riding or walking.
Let’s use our energies constructively by pursuing more designated roadways and trails for bicyclists. This, rather than placing blame, will save lives.
MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.