For years I’ve been reporting on the efforts to make our roads safer for those walking and for those riding bicycles. I’ve received hundreds of letters from cyclists and bicycle organizations complaining that people driving cars are not courteous and put them at risk. I support that, and so I was surprised to receive the following e-mail from David who has his own experiences: “A few friends and I regularly make weekday exercise runs between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the multiuse Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac between Rosslyn and National Airport. With the arrival of warmer weather, we are experiencing the return of a recurring problem: unsafe bike riders. I’m not talking about the occasional individual out for a fun riding excursion, but rather the serious, well-equipped riders who use the trails as if they were the only ones there. Many cruise along at excessive or unsafe speeds, fail to announce their passing, and refuse to obey signs that require they dismount and walk through narrow underpasses or across roadways. On more than a few occasions, we have been nearly run over when moving through the narrow pathway under the Memorial Bridge. Who can we expect will patrol these trails to ensure compliance with safety regulations? I suspect the multiuse trail is part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway — so is it the Park Police? Can I suggest a few well-placed speed traps or safety patrols?”
Quid pro quo, folks. Look, I know that a crash with a 3,000-pound vehicle is more likely to be fatal than one involving a jogger and a bike, but the point is the same: Show some respect for those with whom you share the road (or the trail) and obey the posted rules. The Park Service and the Park Police are responsible for most of the areas mentioned, though otherentities might be involved if there were to be an incident. I doubt any of them have the personnel to set up enforcement zones, though a few officers on bikes, much the same as the harbor patrol for boats, might not be a bad idea at the beginning of the season and during its height. Bikers: Think about how you want to be treated when you are on the road … and treat joggers the same way.
Back-handed Praise for VDOT
Mike writes: “Kudos to VDOT for adding the three-way stop-sign intersection at the main entrance to Montclair; it has succeeded in creating a one- to three-block backup on Waterway wanting to turn left and onto Route 234 — where before the stop signs were added, there was no backup. Again, VDOT reacts to a few complainers and against the majority of drivers who live in and around Montclair.
“Also, is there any reason why VDOT does not take any action to relieve the daily massive traffic backups on Interstate 95 South from Springfield to as far south as Fredericksburg? Anything would be an improvement. Why not try reduced and enforced speed limits during rush hours? Drivers would much prefer to drive a constant 25 to 35 mph than a never-ending series of short 60 mph bursts followed by panic stops, creeping speeds for a mile or so, and then repeat, repeat, repeat.”
Questions, comments, random musings? Write to [email protected]
