Just this morning I was visiting a friend to get some computer instruction. We are great friends and during our visits we discuss many issues. This morning our discussion centered around the of proliferation bicyclists in the city.
First let me say that I am a sometimes pleasure rider on the drives or at the Wissahickon, but years ago, for my own safety, I stopped riding in the city.
I am glad that so many people are using alternate means of transportation. I need to drive most days for my business and other errands, so I experience first hand, as many other drivers do, the difficulties that are developing because of the growing number of bike riders.
The first of these difficulties is that in my experience most riders follow no rules or safety practices. I have experienced bikers riding against traffic, on sidewalks, with no helmets, and with disregard for any traffic laws such as stopping at red lights, stop signs etc. At night they could hardly be seen because of dark clothing at night with inadequate reflectors or lights.
Even though these riders may be considered pedestrians, they are not. The are on pedal powered vehicles that can go up to 20-30 mph. I have almost been hit in my car as well as walking, by bikers who ride with no regard for the safety of others.
Just recently the city has installed bike lanes on Spruce and Pine streets. Even though I agree with the installation of bike lanes I don’t believe these were the best streets for the experiment.
In terms of going green, restricting Pine and Spruce streets to one lane were bad choices because it slows traffic so severely I believe we create more green house gases while waiting in traffic that any amount of biking on those two streets would save. Fitzwater and Bainbridge Streets would have not created the traffic jams that are now a common occurrence on Spruce and Pine.
Another issue is bicycle insurance and registration. If a pedestrian on a sidewalk gets hit by a bicyclist and gets hurt, which is very possible given the speed at which some bikers ride, that pedestrian has no avenue to hold the rider responsible.
Also if the city is going to fund the installation of bike paths and other accommodations for riders, I think that there should be either a licensing or registration fee.
As I said earlier, they are not pedestrians. They are becoming a significant presence, operating a moving vehicle, and should be subject to some form of training, and made to adhere to some standardized operating regulations.
As it is the lack of these standardized practices make it nearly impossible for those of us who need to drive our cars, to be ready for a biker to come from any direction, at any speed, from either side of the street or sidewalk, and sometimes invisible, until you are nearly on top of them.
I think safety for all is the primary concern. The way it is now it is impossible to drive defensively enough to avoid catastraphe.
