Hit and run, again!

[Paul Nevins]

I’ve received occasional comments about my preference for quiet neighborhood streets where there are a lot of turns over long stretches of main roads. Here’s one reason my routes are designed to avoid potential conflict areas and areas where there may be opportunity for idiots to do the following: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Four-Cyclists-Injured-in-a-Hit-and-Run-in-Marin-County-449925073.html

[Robert Abraham]

Paul,

To attempt to use this specific incident to support your argument in choice of road usage is to do so in very poor taste. In suggesting that the particular choice road is a cause, you are leading towards victim blaming. The fact is, that road is perfectly fine and is part of common cycling routes in that area. Riders in that area do not have the "luxury" of an abundance of neighborhoods and side streets to use, as you might suggest they ought to do. This specific incident is absolutely the fault of the motorist. When a motorist attacks a cyclist, it does not matter at all what sort of road they may be on. In my experiences of being harassed by motorist, it has often times occurred while traveling down a quiet neighborhood street. It has also occurred on a 2 lane boulevard with sharrows and BMUFL signage in a sleepy beach town. And yes, it even occurs out on a country road. It does not matter what sort of road one is using. this sort of thing happens. It happens everywhere.

What you should be doing is using this incident to argue for improved funding for infrastructure improvements. Or better yet, improvements to this countries awful driver licensing standards and education, as well as lower speed limits and increased enforcement.


Cheers!

-Robert

[Paul Nevins]

Robert I’ve been very vocal in favor of safer infrastructure particularly protecting bike lanes and creating bicycle boulevards. This along with far too many similar incidents should bring us all together in support of safer road design whereby there is a physical impediment to discourage any auto from entering space utilized by bicycles and or pedestrians. Our Traffic departments think nothing of spending trillions of $ on mega roads but cry bloody murder if anyone asks for a couple of hundred thousand for a safe bicycle pathway.