By Kevin Eurich
I read of an incident in The Valley Reporter’s latest edition regarding a confrontation between joggers and a driver of a motor vehicle. Whereas, I will not make a comment on this specific incident, it does bring to my mind the ongoing problem that exists between recreationists and motor vehicles on our roads.
I will preface my remarks that I was a longtime jogger and bicyclist using the many roads throughout The Valley. So, I’ve been on both sides of the challenges that come with heavy usage of our roads between vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, horseback riders and the like.
In my opinion, it is high time that “everyone” using our public roads takes responsibility for their actions. It is not just motorized vehicle drivers that need to be alert and in tune with their surroundings. I have witnessed far too many incidents of poor judgment and inappropriate behavior by pedestrians and bikers alike.
As a runner, biker, etc., one needs to be thinking of all possibilities and anticipate many scenarios. Public roads are not Shangri-La where one is the only thing in the universe purely without consequence. First of all there is daily commerce and this means lots of large vehicles from box trucks making deliveries to 10-wheel tandem construction dump trucks to 18-wheelers.
It is difficult to wheel these large vehicles and the drivers have to anticipate constantly as they view what they’re facing down the road, whether an incline, slow traffic, bicyclists, pedestrians and so on. As one of the above, one cannot expect to do exactly as one pleases and not create a hazardous condition, like riding or jogging two or more abreast or weaving in and out or being in the middle of the road. Twenty-one speed bikes can go very fast and this creates another challenge for motorists when trying to safely get by with the many twists, turns and blind spots of Vermont roads and the oncoming traffic.
Just yesterday, I had two experiences: one with a biker and the other four people walking together. With the former, I was going north on Route 100 and approaching the cement bridge by The Pines on Trembley Road. The bicyclist was ahead of me and I can see he’s going to have to go left to get across the bridge where the bike path narrows. I slowed down and moved left. He gave a glance over his left shoulder and I know he didn’t see me. At the same time, he swerved left quickly. I anticipated he would do this and passed by without incident. Have a vehicle coming in the other direction and someone behind him not so aware and there’s going to be trouble. Take the time to make a positive viewing and make an appropriate decision.
The second incident, I was coming up behind four walkers and I was driving a construction vehicle. I could see them well and slowed appropriately. I got closer and not one of the walkers turned to see what was behind them. Clearly, the noise of my vehicle was in their ears. At last, they turned in unison and then began scurrying around each other much like ants when an ant hill is disturbed. I have no idea why. They really didn’t have to do anything but maintain their direction and let me know they were aware of me. The looks I got could only be interpreted as, “Why are you on this road?”
If one uses a public highway, one should have to be just as alert and responsible as all users of the road. I, for one, am very frustrated with the seemingly arrogant attitudes of what has become too many road users thinking they can do whatever they please on our public highways and believing that whatever happens is not partly their fault.
Eurich lives in Waitsfield and Myrtle Beach, SC.
