Trails in the News - Press Clipping Files

06/03/2008

Bicyclists are an Important Part of our Community

A recent set of stories by Petoskey News-Review writer Marci Singer should serve to remind us that bicyclists are a big part of our community, and they deserve the respect of motorists with whom they legally share the roadways.

We agree that bike riders can pose a traffic problem, though only rarely does this occur.

Yes, it is frustrating to be “stuck” behind a Spandex-clad bicyclist pedaling away at 20 mph — that’s a pretty good clip, by the way — while you’re trying to get to work or to the bank before it closes for the day. But we’ll remind you: It’s more likely you’ll be stuck behind a slow-moving semi-tractor trailer or a big camper on any given commute.

As to the complaint that bicycles should be confined to the expensive bike paths running throughout the community, we submit such an argument fails to appreciate the marked differences in riding reality.
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The bike path is really for leisurely cruising, and is often occupied by pedestrians who do not exactly hike along single file. Then there are the dog-walkers, in-line skaters and others using the paths. And while we’d encourage the majority of bicyclists to use the bike paths, we are keenly aware that speeds of 12 mph or more are excessive for the path.

Instead, serious, high-speed riders must use the roadways, for the safety of leisure bikers, walkers and themselves.

Gas prices being what they are, expect to see more bikers of all kinds. It is important, then, to know that bicyclists have a RIGHT to the roadway just as you do in your SUV — like it or not. Bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities applicable to the driver of any other vehicle, by state law.

Emmet County prosecuting attorney James Linderman points out that if a motorist hits a cyclist, he or she could be charged with felonious driving. If a motorist kills a cyclist, that charge could be negligent homicide, which carries with it a possible two-year prison sentence.

In a car/bike crash, the bicyclist will lose every time. That is why we also ask bicycle riders to use their heads and common sense and not be stubborn in asserting their legal right to the road.

Bicyclists are required by law to stay as close to the right side of the road as they can safely ride. They, by law, cannot ride more than two abreast, and we as car drivers would prefer they only ride single file — betting they as automobile motorists are also frustrated by traffic congestion.

And if bicyclists are to get the respect we think they deserve, they will need to do better at obeying traffic laws themselves. That means stopping at stop lights and stop signs, using turn hand signals and even obeying the speed limits.

Rules — laws — of the road apply to all of us. Show some courtesy and respect, and we’ll all get along a little better.

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