Editorial: Bicyclists have rights to the road

July 31, 2008
Our streets are as overrun with cars as ever and, in spite of a vision to make Route 25A a path that cars and bicyclists can share, it hasn't happened. Since most areas of the road, with the exception of Kings Park, have no dedicated bike lane, riders instead find themselves competing for space with vehicles that outpace them. The other day, one of us witnessed a driver along the state route holding down the horn — loudly and repeatedly — to bully off the road a cyclist who was trying to circumvent a puddle after heavy rains.

Although some of us live close enough to ride a bike to work, and carbon emissions and fuel costs would spur us on, most won't take the risk. As quaint and pastoral as people like to think of the North Shore, a corresponding awareness of and respect for bicyclists is simply not there. So, many bicyclists simply settle for the absurd option of driving or busing their bikes to a place of relative peace and safety. Only then do they ride.

It's no easier for pedestrians, and a wonder how anyone gets across the street alive, with few sidewalks and three or four self-entitled drivers running red lights before one has the consideration or good sense to realize it's time to stop. And, by that time, the five-second crosswalk signal has changed.

What we suggest at the very least, hurried drivers, is that you put down the hand-held cell phone and pay attention. If you have to use the horn, tap it gently to alert bikers you're behind them (they can hear the honk louder than you can). Thank you for not honking as a way to blast them out of your way. Then take the extra 30 seconds you might need to slow down from 40 to 35 (maybe even 30!) miles per hour so a biker or walker can pass or get to the side.

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We're sure all of you who are driving with "hands-free" cell phones could use that 30 seconds to call wherever you're rushing to and say you're going to be a half-minute late out of concern for your fellow man.

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