The two most dangerous animals in Chatham County are deer and bike riders

[belle]

next you'll be pulling out "spirited".

Nah, thanks.  I'm bossy and opinionated.  That usually adds up the the b-word...if you're female.

Don't say that like it's a bad thing being a b-word...that would be Ms. B to everyone 

you got that right.

[Fort]

I appreciate your concerns about riders, but this really is a serious topic with lives at stake.

Firstly, most riders do wear brightly colored clothing for safety. Most cycling jerseys are offered in bright yellow safety colors. I agree that riders should dress to be seen - even if it looks silly.

I also agree that cyclists do need to take responsibility on the roads for leaving room for cars to pass. More than 2-3 cyclists side by side can create a bit of a road block, especially if it's a large group that takes a while to pass in a car. With small groups of cyclists, riding in a tight group can be safer by forcing cars to treat the group like a slow moving vehicle that requires the car to slow down and pass only when it’s safe – rather than speeding around them. However (like I mentioned) large groups of cyclists that are spread out can get hairy. 

However, the car driver has all the control in these situations. We know that there are deer and cyclists out on these back roads - so there is never a good reason to pass in a no passing zone and put everyone's life at risk. If you can't see because of the sun's glare, you need sunglasses - otherwise you're driving impaired. Would you drive in rain without windshield wipers? And please try not to speed – you never when you’ll encounter something that requires you to negotiate safely around – whether it is a deer, cyclist, pedestrian, passing car, or whatever.

These roads are narrow. We need someone to clearly educate cyclists and drivers about what the rules are regarding use of the road. Laws that limit the number of cyclists in a pack may also be helpful – if there aren’t any in place already.

There will be more and more cyclists as the area grows and as people start commuting more on bicycles.  Please drive and/or bicycle safely.

[oakrunfarm]

However, the car driver has all the control in these situations.

I don't agree. I live out a very narrow, hilly and twisting road. This weekend, my husband and I were on our way to the grocery store, when we narrowly avoided hitting (and I am sure, most likely killing) a cyclist.

Only sheer dumb luck was involved for us to see him at the very last second and swerve to miss him. If the road had been wet, we undoubtedly would have gone into a skid and likely lost control. If there had been a vehicle in the other lane, we would have collided, and if it had been 50' further down the road, we would have hit the cyclist. If we had been driving our big truck instead of the SUV, we would never have been able to keep from hitting him. If ANY one of those "ifs" had happened, I hate to imagine the outcome.

Control did not enter into it at all.

If people are brave (some would say stupid?) enough to ride a bicycle on a road with extremely limited width - no shoulder whatsoever - and many, many blind curves and hill crests, there WILL be an accident sooner or later.

I don't have a problem with people riding their bikes on 64 or other roads where they can be seen and avoided in advance. But it's SO not fair to suggest that people can put themselves in harm's way and that it's their "right" and I need to be responsible for their (imho) poor judgment. They are endangering me as well, and that is NOT OK. 

[Muddylaces]

I own a road bike that I used to put 100+ miles a week on, before moving here.   I've kind of fallen out of cycling but I haven't seen many roads here I'd feel comfortable riding on.      But I will say this The bike rider has equal right to be on the road, and if you come around a blind corner and rear end the cyclist your at fault legally (if not practically).

[oakrunfarm]

"The bike rider has equal right to be on the road, and if you come around a blind corner and rear end the cyclist your at fault legally (if not practically)."

My husband is an atty., and we are aware of the laws. The legality of it is absolutely the very last thing I am concerned about. I don't want to hurt or kill someone, or be injured or killed myself just because someone used exceedingly poor judgment on where to ride a bike.

To your point of "fault," I am doubtful that a motorist who hit a cyclist on a blind curve would be cited (unless impaired or exceeding the speed limit, or in some other manner proven negligent).

And if someone is killed, whose fault it was is a pretty moot point as far as I am concerned.

[Muddylaces]

Your husband can obviously answer that question better than me( I'd like to hear his take), but the way I under stand it, a bike is a vehicle.    Maybe NC is different but a vehicle that rear ends another vehicle is always at fault.   Again I'm not a lawyer, but I did stay at a holiday Inn Express last night.

[chrstnhsbndfthr]

Your husband can obviously answer that question better than me( I'd like to hear his take), but the way I under stand it, a bike is a vehicle.    Maybe NC is different but a vehicle that rear ends another vehicle is always at fault.   Again I'm not a lawyer, but I did stay at a holiday Inn Express last night.

Tough subject, but nice injection of humor!

[Fort]

What if we were not talking about a recreational cyclist? What if it was someone's child walking on the edge of the road, or a pet, or a commuting cyclist, or a person on a moped, or a vehicle pulled over on the side of the road? I think people get angry when they think about cyclists on expensive bicycles who don't "need" to be out there, but my bigger concern is simply road safety.

Many people out here have large SUVs or pick-ups. These vehicles take up most of the road and take longer to stop. In addition, the roads are very hilly and twisty. If you can't slow down to avoid something that you are approaching, you're probably going too fast - no matter what the posted speed limit is.

[oakrunfarm]

Your husband can obviously answer that question better than me( I'd like to hear his take

)

I will ask him about that.

As another poster mentioned, a lot of people out in "the country" have large vehicles. We've got a 1 ton dual-rear-wheeled truck that the last word I'd use to describe it is nimble. We pull a 40' three-horse trailer with it, and I can tell you that if we had to make an emergency swerve around whatever with it, it could be carnage.

It is hard for me to understand why someone would put themselves in harm's way, but to add compromising other's safety into the mix is irresponsible in my opinion.

Again I'm not a lawyer, but I did stay at a holiday Inn Express last night.

Well, being an atty doesn't mean he knows everything. Just ask me about that! 

[belle]

Only sheer dumb luck was involved for us to see him at the very last second and swerve to miss him. If the road had been wet, we undoubtedly would have gone into a skid and likely lost control. If there had been a vehicle in the other lane, we would have collided, and if it had been 50' further down the road, we would have hit the cyclist. If we had been driving our big truck instead of the SUV, we would never have been able to keep from hitting him. If ANY one of those "ifs" had happened, I hate to imagine the outcome.

Control did not enter into it at all.

dare I suggest you slow down a bit? you live in the country now. your commute is going to take longer. enjoy the scenery. relax.

[WolfpackFan]

I think anytime you have two things on a road that are traveling different speeds, it can be a recipe for trouble.  And the greater the difference, the easier the recipe.

As oakrunfarm said, putting "I was right" on the biker's tombstone ain't much of a conselation.

[mamacash]

I think anytime you have two things on a road that are traveling different speeds, it can be a recipe for trouble.  And the greater the difference, the easier the recipe.

As oakrunfarm said, putting "I was right" on the biker's tombstone ain't much of a conselation.

It is kind of like, "being dead right all the way to the morgue", someone definitely loses...nobody wins.  Right, Wolfie?

[WolfpackFan]

Exactly, sometimes being right is not all it's cracked up to be.  Kind of like arguing with your wife.

[mamacash]

Exactly, sometimes being right is not all it's cracked up to be.  Kind of like arguing with your wife.

Yeah! that can get you in a lot of trouble, boy!

[Fort]

Do you really want Chatham to be a "no cycling" town? What message does that send - if you want to exercise outside, you'll likely die? Are there any "safer" roads in your opinions? Triathlons and cycling are huge in this area. I really think we need to work on ways to accommodate and incorporate safer road access.

I'm really glad they built a shoulder onto 15-501. I think we need pro-active people in our local politics to make sure that all new road construction incorporates improved access for bicycles and pedestrians. I'm looking forward to the 25 miles of trails in Briar Chapel.

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