To The Editor:
It's that time of season again when cyclists and motorists attempt to share the road and come to terms with the limits of the road that we share. Having cycled coast to coast twice, I have come to appreciate those areas that have the space and programs in place to make it a safe activity for everyone.
In Vermont, it seems that attempt has been done mostly on paper with words in the motor vehicle law to say that it's OK to cycle abreast unless traffic is obstructed, or that a 4-foot passing zone around a cyclist is mandated. Attempts at a cycling lane are lame. Face it, we don't have the dirt to always make it possible. Couple that with a trip through Moretown or down Route 17 in Waitsfield where potholes, ruts and plain old dangerous road conditions exist and it becomes a scary adventure for all.
With the upcoming detour on German Flats Road coming, it's going to get more challenging. It's early season and I have already used hand gestures more than twice (yup ...) and I was to the right of the fog line which is not normal for me as my friends know.
What's the hurry?
My pledge this year is to do all that I can to ride safely. I will use a flashing light, ride close to the fog line so that I can be seen by cars, listen for that gentle horn should I miss you in my mirror, stop at stop signs and try to remember to give hand turn signals. All I and other cyclists ask is that motorists give us a fair chance of using the road safely.
For those motorists who don't cycle and expect us to ride to the right of the fog line at all times, I can say it's full of glass, nails, mud, sand and eroding sinkholes in formation.
For a more positive reason to make this a safer activity: It's good for Valley business.
Jerry Griffiths
Waitsfield
