Comments on: Share the Road?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:17:20 +0000

BEGIN VENT: Unfortunately some cyclists refuse to practice safe cycling even when there are clear, wide bike paths (as along 114 leading from the ferry and across long beach road). I witnessed first hand this reckless behavior just this past weekend, during my customary walk along Long Beach Road.
Walking against traffic, I stayed well to the left of the border of the (very wide) bike path. There was some sort of organized bike event, dozens of bikers were coming towards me, headed to Long Beach. Despite the wide bike path, many, many bikers came DIRECTLY AT ME, as I was walking ON THE SHOULDER, NOT IN THE BIKE LANE — , and they did not budge. Many of these bikers were single file or two abreast, so staying in the bike path should not have been a hardship for them.
It was amazingly rude, I was the one that had to move out of their way to avoid getting hit. So I think some people are just oblivious to the rules of the road, common courtesy, or the safety and well being of anyone other than themselves. END VENT. Thank you.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:29:00 +0000

I appreciate hearing from experienced cyclists on this matter, and I’m glad to know that you agree that these less experienced cyclists were indeed putting their children at risk. I look forward to the announcement you mention, and hope to be able to participate in some way in promoting safer conditions for both cyclists and motorists. By the way, I’m curious if you, and this cycling advocacy group foresee growth in the use of cycles as a means of transportation (in addition to recreation) here on the East End. – Eric

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:23:28 +0000

Thank you for your comments, Andre. I agree that both motorists and cyclists need to accept each others presence on the roads. I suspect that a lot of work will have to go into educating both groups before that happens. – Eric
Note to Readers: Andre Louis is a long-time, committed and experienced cyclist who, has ridden widely in Europe and the U.S. In fact he has ridden his bike across the entire U.S. He lives in the Briarwood neighborhood of Queens, NY (hence the references to Briarwood and metropolitan).

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:41:31 +0000

Well said, and especially powerful coming from a (current) non-cyclist! An avid and experienced cyclist, I too have been aghast at some of the scenes of carelessness by both cyclists and motorists. Clearly, the awareness of all road users needs to be raised.
What you witnessed were a couple of inexperienced cyclists taking unnecessary risks among inexperienced motorists, some of whom also routinely take unnecessary risks. It truly is a recipe for disaster.
I have ridden bicycles, on- and off-road, in several states and in several countries, and there are some factors that I think make riding on the East End unique. First, many weekend cyclists (like those in your close encounter) in the area believe that when they are “in the country” on “country” roads, they are ultimately safe. But experienced cyclists know the opposite to be true: there are lots of vehicle/bicycle accidents on these “quiet” roads, and for every reportable accident there are probably twenty-five close calls. These roads are not at all safe for cycling. Part of the reason for that is that they were not designed with bicycle traffic in mind, and the remainder can be chalked up to motorists’ attitudes.
Many drivers in this area drive large SUV’s, and are inexperienced and aggressive. That’s a potentially lethal combination. Consider that many of the seasonal drivers here probably drive only on summer weekends–they are not daily drivers, and their overall road experience is a fraction of that of any commuting driver. Consider as well that they (evidently) feel like their time is wasted unless they are accomplishing another task (e.g. drinking coffee, texting, talking on the phone) while driving a three-ton chunk of steel down the road.
Whenever I step off the bike and reflect upon it, it seems miraculous that there are not more cycling fatalities. But still, there are fatalities, and even one is too many. (By the way, the local press has done an abysmal job of covering and publicizing such accidents!).
The good news is that there are plenty of reasonable, community-minded folks like you out there interested in progressive solutions.
Please stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding the formation of a new east end cycling advocacy group that aims to advance these goals…! We hope that you will join our effort.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:20:47 +0000

Briawood is a long way from Sag Harbor and surely way too metropolitan to face the kind of problems you described in your blog entry. As a cyclist obssesed with finding the best roads to travel and a parent and grand parent who hopes that his family can partake in the joy and beauty of cycling, i understand the attraction that the cyclists you described most probably found in the event they participated. I can only hope they put some safety thoughts in the choice they made taking the children along. In the end, thinking about the myrriads of potentially dangerous situations that confront any cyclists taking his or her bike on the roads, I can only hope awareness and carefullness guide both cyclists and automobilists when they make their decisions. Rigthtiousness or attitudes can’t be guiding either sides. Only the willingness to accept each others presence can make the road safe for all. I guess a good reminder that the frequently seen sign “Share the roads” is our pathway to ultimate safety. Andre Louis