With the advent of warm, sunny weather, more people are biking. Many drivers don’t pay attention to bikes and pedestrians at marked crossings. My husband and I try to make ourselves visible while riding the tandem bike. We both sport bright matching yellow shirts, colorful helmets and have reflectors on the bike pedals. Sometimes all of these precautions aren’t enough.
Last week, we were stopped at a busy crossing. The light turned green for us so we started to cross. An older woman, without stopping, tried to make a right turn in front of our moving bike. Her car was scraped by the bike rack. Then she drove off.
John was livid. He was yelling at the motorists, “Call 911!”
We crossed the road to find the woman driver did return to the accident. She tried to explain that she had to go to the next road to note her location.
“Didn’t you hear the impact?” “I have your license number.”
John was sure that she was going to continue on her way.
Continuing to the store, two other drivers were aware of the tandem to backed up from crosswalks. Another driver, stopped in the street to allow us to cross holding up traffic.
Though we don’t expect such special treatment, we do hope that people sharing the road will display simple courtesy. A bike has the same right to be on the road. We are not alone with biking problems.
Our deacon related another biking story with a dog walker. He had a incident with a dog on a retractable leash. Coming downhill, he noted the walker on the other side of the path but didn’t see the leash and the dog on his side. squeezing both brakes at the last minute, impact was avoided but he went down with the bike, breaking his leg.
This year, on the deacon’s first ride after healing, he was riding up to two women with an unleash large dog.
Stopping, he inquired,”Can I tell you a story?”
“O yes, The dog owner replied”.
“Last year I was in an accident with a large dog”. This is my first ride after healing from my injuries. “I am scared of large dogs …like your’s.”
The woman, leashed her dog. Our deacon waved as he rode away.
Fear sometimes prevents us from reacting with kindness. Even humor can play a teaching role.
We were again at a crossing with a cross light. Two police cars approached the intersection and turned right in front of us, without lights or sirens. A third police car did slow before turning.
This my husband dryly remarked,”Must be late for a doughnut break.”
As the roads become busier, we all must be aware of people in the crosswalks.
On our local bike paths, there is a reminder that impacts between cars and bikes are hazardous. A father and his seven year old son were biking on a bike path. The father was a little ahead of his son. As they crossed the road with the light, a car turned on the red light and struck the boy. He later died. The memorial of toys, flowers and photos is a constant reminder that we must be aware of our surroundings and watch out for the young, inexperienced riders. Keep our roads safe for all.
Crossing
At a road, I spied a simple cross.
It stands beside a small white painted bike.
In memory of a rider who lost his life.
Stopping, I say a quick prayer.
Hoping to keep the little ones … safe.
carolaspot@aol.com July 10, 2023
traveling up and down the blind highway 