Letters to the Editors

Bicyclists should remember they have to obey rules, too

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 4, 2000

The vast majority of Pinellas Trail and street crossings are clearly marked as four-way stops. Yet very few runners, inline skaters or bicyclists even slow down or look for danger at crossings. Most shoot through the intersections as if they have the undisputed right of way.

They don't! Their flippant attitude is part of a formula for disaster.
-- M. Inge Johnstone, Ozona

Drivers fail to respect cyclists on the road

Indeed we have a problem of motorists not respecting bicyclists. As an avid cyclist/triathlete with the St. Pete Mad Dogs and St. Pete Bike Club, I train throughout the many streets and intersections of Pinellas County. We have endured rude comments, curse words, the advice to "ride somewhere else" and many honks of anger. What probably tops this is the careless near misses of motorists intentionally steering near us.

What most motorists do not know or understand is that cyclists share the road and abide by the same rules. We have the same rights that they have to be on the road.

Our latest encounter with a careless motorist, actually a school crossing guard on her way to work, could have resulted in injury. She attempted to make a right turn from a left lane right into my husband while we were riding our bikes in the right lane. Thankfully, we came away with no major injuries. As she got out of her car the first thing out of her mouth was not an apology or "How are you?"; she said, "Didn't you see my blinker?"

If this is the attitude of even crossing guards, who should be aware of the rules of the road, how do you think the rest of the uneducated motorists act? I think it's time that motorists wise up to the fact that cycling is a legitimate form of transportation.
-- Desiree Senokossoff-Metzger, Largo

Laws for drivers, cyclists ought to be published

I am not the avid cyclist in the family; it's my husband. I hear his tales of being driven off the road, cars honking, foul language, even things thrown at him as he rides down Clearwater Beach. I have seen how motorists freak out and drive on the wrong side of the road simply because a bicycle is near. Obviously, this ignorance could cause an accident.

On the other hand, I have seen the Sunday Clubbers ride down Clearwater Beach flagrantly running red lights, blowing through stop signs and taking up the road for miles down Gulf Boulevard. I'm sure other groups do this too.

It would be a great service to the community if the St. Petersburg Times could print a complete listing of Florida state laws and regulations regarding the partnership of bicycles and motor vehicles. In the spirit of fairness, all the bickering could at least slow down (it probably will never stop) if all parties were educated on the actual laws not just how they think it should be.
-- Tina M. Gilbert, Largo

Bike riders fail to earn the respect of motorists

I agree with the letter writer that it was indeed a tragedy that Horace Hall lost his life in the recent accident involving his bicycle and a cement truck. The letter writer also raised the issue concerning the low level of respect accorded those who use a bicycle as their form of transportation. From my observations, the great majority of cyclists do nothing to earn the level of respect the letter writer complains is lacking.

Lest I be misunderstood, I certainly do not advocate open season on those bicycle riders who do not obey the traffic laws that are designed to give them the same rights to the road that apply to motorists. Sunday morning, as I was traveling west on San Christopher in Dunedin, I approached the four-way stop signs at the intersection with the Pinellas Trail. While I was stopped at the intersection, several riders ran the stop sign, and one even held up his hand to signal me to wait as he ran the stop sign.

Bicycle riders on the streets by and large do not obey stop signs either. They often ride on the wrong side of the street facing oncoming traffic. Some do not use lights while riding at night, which is extremely dangerous. It seems that bicycle riders do not understand that the same traffic laws that apply to motorists apply to them as well.

Many drivers of automobiles disobey stop signs too, but the bicycle rider will suffer injuries to a much greater degree for their disregard of the law. When all vehicles, whether powered by engines or pedals, start to obey the laws, then true respect for each other can be earned and lives can be saved.
-- James Landstoffer, Clearwater

Samaritans are thanked for aiding woman who fell

My wife and I had an encounter with angels on March 19. We were part of a family group attending a picnic in Seminole Park. Walking toward the pavilion from the parking lot, I saw my 71-year-old wife of 52 years pitch forward on the hard pebble sidewalk.

She had tripped on the edge of the sidewalk and there was no way for me to stop the fall. Her body twisted as she fell forward on her face, breaking her glasses. As she lay there bloody and in shock, I on my knees trying to help her, we were suddenly surrounded by several young men who immediately began ministering to my fallen wife.

I was helped to a picnic bench where a lovely young woman handed me a cup of water. I was shaking so badly that I could hardly drink, but this remarkable lady kept soothing me, gently rubbing my back and assuring me that my darling was all right. At the same time one of the men held my left hand upright and tried to stop the bleeding from a finger I had cut on the sidewalk.

Later we learned that one of the young men had seen the fall and called 911 on his cell phone. During the short wait for the ambulance, these fine, caring people administered to both of us with extraordinary compassion.

After we left for the hospital, a member of our party attempted to get names in order for us to thank them properly, but they just said, "No, it's all right," or words to that effect. A member of our group heard a softly spoken prayer in what sounded like a foreign language. Our friends learned they are Lebanese.

We hope that these angels, for surely they are that, read the Times because we want to publicly thank them with all our hearts for the kindness and mercy bestowed upon us.
-- Marcia and Les Romer, Palm Harbor

City Commission needs to show Roberto the door

Re: Controversy follows Roberto aide, story, April 2.

After reading the article on John Asmar (Clearwater's planning and development services administrator), I thought, "Here we go again." He came from an area referred to as "Bozoville," so he'll fit right in here.

If he is just like Mike Roberto, it must mean he is arrogant, egotistical and self-serving. The city commissioners and the mayor need to stop the bleeding and fire Roberto and his well-paid cronies, and put traffic lights up at the roundabout.
-- Jack Wilson, Clearwater

"Mountain' at the beach makes driving hazardous

Driving on the flat lands of Florida may have some problems, but playing peek-a-boo around mountainous terrain is certainly not one of them. That was true at least until we gained a fountain on Clearwater Beach.

Before we had a roundabout, Mike Roberto talked about the redevelopment included in his "One City. One Future" plan. I recall his remarks about the entrance to Clearwater Beach. He told us that he took his friend to visit the beach. When they arrived at Pier 60, he asked his friend, "What does this entryway to the beach need?" His friend told him it needed a fountain to make it more luxurious so that visitors would remember the site.

Mr. Roberto's friend was right. Many visitors now remember the fountain because they were involved in accidents going around it.

I was one of the people who gave up a quiet evening at home to attend the roundabout commission meeting. I recall then Mayor Rita Garvey holding tight to the three-minute rule of residents speaking against the roundabout. Several people were willing to give up their own three minutes so that a particular person who had a different plan for the traffic flow could be heard. But Garvey wouldn't allow this information.

It was a good plan, it was a safe plan, but it was a plan without a mountain of fountain. Everyone I know on Sand Key avoids the mountain and would rather travel by way of the Belleair Causeway bridge. What a shame for those of us who in times past enjoyed shopping on Clearwater Beach and Island Estates.
-- Sonja Haught, Clearwater

A modest proposal to replace fountain

Re: Idea for replacing fountain, letter, March 24.

The letter mentions suitable replacements for the roundabout fountain, such as Rodin's statues the Burghers of Calais and the Gates of Hell. I would like to recommend another famous French sculpture as a replacement. It is called the Pissar and is the centerpiece of a very well-known fountain in Paris.

It represents a little boy living up to the name of the sculpture. Not only would it make a good replacement statue, but it would also represent the opinion of many people about the roundabout itself.
-- Bernard J. Schulte, Clearwater

Scientology's tower seals fate of downtown

Re: Scientology's building heads upward, story, March 29.

The beginning of the end of downtown Clearwater is finally upon us. The centerpiece of Hubbardsville has been given permission to be finished. With that 15-story tower, people won't have to actually go downtown to know why it is lost to the cult. If you think parking spaces are hard to find now, wait until there are five times as many cult members occupying downtown.

Maybe when the cult finally is exposed for what it really is, Clearwater can take over those buildings and use them for something good.
-- Dave Rodman, Dunedin
Editor's note: The first four letters are in response to Lack of respect for bicyclists can lead to tragedies, letter, March 31.

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