Opinion: Bicycle Advocate Wants Motorist Education Effort for Cyclists

A Letter to the Editor from Dave Fine:

We’ve experienced positive bicycling news lately in Connecticut and Greater Danbury. However, while town leaders verbalize their support, they bring up three concerns:

1. Narrow roads
2. Bicyclists not obeying traffic regulations
3. Roads simply being hazardous for cyclists

All of these things that can be overcome with planning.

1) We are a narrow road, east coast area. Other owns with this type of challenge simply decided they wanted to support Active Transportation. Here are a few eastern towns that are Bicycle Friendly Communities - Alexandria, Arlington, Boston, NYC, Burlington, Charlottesville, Philadelphia, Simsbury, Farmington, Glastonbury, New Britain , New Haven, S. Windsor, W. Hartford, Somerville, Arlington (MA), Baltimore, Buffalo, Concord (NH), and Essex Junction (VT). They all started with a similar conversation that cars and bikes do not mix. They all overcame their concerns.

2) Bicyclists do not obey the laws, making them a special hazard. The next time you are in traffic, count the number of automobile infractions you witness. The truth is, few people “obey” the laws. Motorists are taught to watch for “bad” drivers. Unfortunately, motorists have not been taught about “unexpected” bicyclist behavior, resulting in motorists feeling especially challenged by cyclists. Motorists need to learn cyclists’ behavior, just like they do with motorists. This will happen when more bicyclists are on the road and a motorist education effort is employed.

3) Crowded roads are hazardous for cyclists. This is ‘code’ for saying roads are designed for cars and cyclists should realize that “borrowing” road space comes with hazards. ZERO bicycle caution signs and street safety markings are meant to discourage cyclists. A little research will show that encouraging more cyclists will make the roads safer. Like it or not, cycling is growing and the towns will be faced with this issue sooner or later. While Brookfield and New Milford should be congratulated for taking some steps, they still have a long way to go.

David Fine

Danbury, Conn.

Photo via Flickr Creative Commons