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Guest column

Bicyclists invite danger by flouting road rules

By CARL WRIGHT
Published March 28, 2005

Re: Bike tour reveals serenity endangered by growth , March 14 column by staff writer Dan DeWitt:

Editor: The article really rubbed me the wrong way. All these bicyclists who apparently "refuse to ride these roads" anymore because they fear for their safety - with the implication that they are not partially responsible for the perilous conditions and who spout the "poor, poor, pitiful me" drivel - should realize they are not the perfect interlopers they portray themselves to be.

Perhaps you could do another article in which you discuss the flip side of the coin, so they might realize exactly how discourteous and arrogant they appear to others.

As a property owner living along one of "the beautiful roads" (Bayhead Road) mentioned in Dewitt's column, I, too, lament all the development that is occurring in eastern Hernando and Pasco counties as rural areas and agricultural lands slowly disappear to be replaced by megadevelopments. However, I wish the bicyclists who pack these roads almost every weekend also would disappear.

Yes, disappear. It is not that I dislike bicycles. My attitude results from repeatedly experiencing the riding habits and the lack of common courtesy exhibited by mostof these cyclists.

The article would have readers believe that bicyclists are "innocent victims" of uncaring motor vehicle operators who speed along these roads with no concern for the safety of others. I have observed behaviors on numerous occasions that might be attributable to the attitude of the bicyclists who ride as if they think they own the road, rather than share the road with other users.

Bicycles, by their very nature and the varying physical abilities of their riders, generally cannot or do not keep up with moving traffic. By law, they are not allowed to impede motor vehicle traffic and, like any other vehicle on the road, are required to yield the right of way to faster-moving traffic. On numerous occasions I have had to follow one of those large "safety in numbers" packs of bicycles for 4-plus miles along Bayhead Road or Johnson Road because they ride three, four, or even five abreast and refuse to move to the side to allow faster-moving traffic to pass. Consider the implications if someone needed to rush a loved one to the hospital and the road is blocked by these "innocent victims" who are only out to have a leisurely, peaceful ride through the beautiful countryside.

Bicyclists are required by law to comply with traffic control devices. I challenge anyone to find a stop sign along any of the routes being used by bicyclists and observe how well these riders comply with traffic laws. Once again, the pack mentality or the "we own the road" attitude takes over. Almost every time I have been trapped behind such a pack for long distances, the entire group will blow through a stop sign when it reaches the next intersection.

Bayhead Road is narrow and there are at least three 90-degree corners, as well as several other lesser curves, many of which are "blind." Bicyclists often cut these corners short. I cannot begin to count the number of times I have had to take evasive action because one of these "innocent victims" suddenly appeared on my side of the road as I was entering one of these blind curves.

That said, it doesn't take a genius to conclude it is only a matter of time until an accident with serious multiple injuries or fatalities will occur along one of these country roads. Of course, the bicyclists will then point the finger of blame at the motor vehicle operator, ignoring their own poor and often illegal riding habits that contribute to such tragedies.

In addition to the safety issues, there is the issue of common courtesy. Obviously, Florida has a warm climate. Daytime temperatures can be excessively hot. As a result, the majority of bicyclists ride these roads in the early morning hours, primarily on Saturdays or Sundays. Without any concern for the peace and quiet to which residents along these roads are entitled, the bicyclists frequently scream to one another as they ride along. Additionally, I have seen individuals discard trash (candy wrappers) and garbage (banana peels) on the side of the road. Bicyclists are subject to the same anti-littering laws as the non-cycling public, and they would be upset if some passerby deposited litter on their property.

While motorcyclists and equestrians are mentioned in DeWitt's column, they do not contribute to the multitude of problems associated with bicyclists. Those on horses generally ride along the side of the road, and motorcyclists travel fast enough so as not to impede other traffic. Furthermore, motorcyclists typically stop for traffic control devices such as stop signs.

It really irks me when bicyclists whine about traffic and safety problems on these roads. It is likely that few of them are residents of these areas and, therefore, contribute no property taxes for the police and/or other public services they may require while here. It also is important to remember that the bicycles these individuals ride actually contribute to congestion and reduced safety on these roads, but are not subject to registration fees or fuel taxes, which are used to maintain and improve these roads.

In recent years, many tax dollars have been used to construct safe paths such as the Pinellas and Withlacoochee Trails, and the trail along the Suncoast Parkway. These facilities include an expensive bridge over State Road 50 so that the bicyclists do not have to be inconvenienced waiting until they can safely cross the highway. Additionally, a $250,000 bathroom was recently constructed for Suncoast Trail users. What a joke! Many residents of Hernando and/or Pasco County live in homes that cost far less than this bathroom, and many could not even afford homes that cost as much.

Instead of whining about road and traffic conditions in the rural areas of east Hernando and Pasco, perhaps these holier-than-thou bicyclists should utilize the trails that were constructed with the specific intent of providing them a safe place to ride - a place where motorized vehicles are prohibited. If they cannot confine themselves to these specially constructed, extremely safe bicycle paths, perhaps they could start respecting the rights of other people along the country roads they so admire, and stop whining about the motor vehicle traffic along these roads.

After all, these roads, unlike the bicycle trails, were not constructed for the express purpose of giving a relatively small percentage of the population a pretty, peaceful place to ride their bicycles.

--Carl P. Wright lives in Pasco County, just south of the county line in eastern Hernando County. Guest columnists write their own views on subjects they choose, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

[Last modified March 28, 2005, 01:35:09]