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

From WRAL today:

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North Carolina reported the largest increase nationally in traffic fatalities in 2007, to 1,675 from 1,554 in 2006. Meanwhile, the number of traffic fatalities nationwide fell by 3.9 percent last year.

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Fatalities involving alcohol increased 25 percent last year, from 390 to 489.

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The number of defendants charged with speeding offenses from 2003 to 2007 increased 21 percent, while convictions on those charges increased 6 percent. Speeding is a contributing factor in more than one-third of the state’s crashes.

Even with these statistics, I guess y'all will still think cyclists are the problem. Remove the blinders folks, cyclists who are following the rules are not the ones creating safety hazards, bad drivers are.

The key to the discussion is cyclists who are following the rules....what about the ones who are not following rules...they are as much a problem as the drivers who think when they see a cyclist that it is Michelin on Nike time...there needs to be a mutual respect between cyclists and motorists...a car can kill and a bicycle can make you get killed...the results are the same...this has become a pi$$ing match...period.

I agree that cyclists not following the rules are a problem, just as car drivers not following the rules are a problem. I also agree that cyclists who insist on riding in large packs on roads like 751 at busy times are inconsiderate. Some of the groups choose really stupid starting locations. In fact, on one of the local cycling forums I suggested that groups should be more careful where they ride, what time they choose to ride, and if there are large numbers of riders, break into smaller groups to make them easier to get by. I made those comments to other cyclists after seeing some of the frustration expressed in this thread. This wasn't new news to me, it just reminded me that we should find ways to get along.

I actually do try to get along with drivers. I avoid rides with large groups of people because I know they are difficult to get around. Most of my rides are solo and I try to stick to less traveled roads so I don't block traffic. When there's a car behind me and I can see that it's clear but they can't, such as when I'm rounding a turn or cresting a hill, I signal to let them know it's clear to pass.

You are, my Dear, what I would call a conscientious, defense cyclist...which may be why you are still alive...I applaud anyone brave enough to get on a bike and enter the world of car drivers...if for no other reason than the bike trails I hope Briar Chapel trails save lives.

I hope to take my daughter over there soon to ride on the trails. I have a third wheel bike attached to my mountain bike. She calls it the family bike and loves to ride along with me.

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