Drivers, bikers: Open your texts

Drivers and bicyclists in Spokane need to be educated.

Recently, I stopped at a parking lot exit, waiting for cars to pass so I could bicycle onto the road. One driver stopped and gestured for me to cross the street. The driver became angry when I motioned her to continue. She must have thought that bicyclists are pedestrians.

Another time I was bicycling downtown when a driver yelled at me to ride on the sidewalk. Obviously, this driver also thought that bicyclists are pedestrians.

I’ve had drivers try to run me over when I’ve signaled and turned, and once a passenger tried to shove me off the road with his hand as the car passed.

On the other hand, I’ve seen bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the road or riding against traffic on a one-way street. I’ve noticed pedestrians on sidewalks who need to avoid bicyclists, and there are daring riders who exit alleyways and side streets without looking.

These are only a few examples that show Spokane needs a massive program and media blitz to educate both drivers and bicyclists to relate to each other in safe ways.

MaryLou Sproul

Spokane