Bicycle master plan calls for cyclists, drivers to share the road

The adoption of an update to the city's bicycle master plan has once again stirred up the cyclist versus motorist debate.

We wish the streets were safer, but our roads are crowded, and manversusmachine encounters inevitably occur. Fingerpointing, however, is not the answer. It's important to understand the rights of pedestrians and cyclists, and both parties need to understand their special responsibilities in traffic.

Biking safety involves more than wearing the proper equipment and keeping a bike in good mechanical order—riders must also heed the rules of the road.

Bicyclists generally enjoy the same rights as drivers of motor vehicles, but many bikers still choose to travel against traffic, not with it. As the law requires, bikers may not leave the bike lane unless they can do it safely, and they must always use the appropriate hand signal for turns.

Drivers aren't mind readers. If you're on a bicycle, you need to clearly communicate your intentions. Bicyclists must not run red lights and ignore stop signs.

Drivers, on the other hand, sometimes fail to yield when making right turns and often cut in front of bicycles. They wouldn't do that to another driver, and nothing makes bicycle riders more irate. Drivers also fail to give bicycles a wide enough berth when these riders are forced to leave marked bike lanes.

According to the organization Bike Link, more than 100 cyclists are killed each year in California and thousands more are injured. Give cyclists some respect. Cars don't own the road; they just share it.

Drivers and bicyclists must give foot traffic the right of way. But that doesn't release pedestrians from their obligation to use common sense. What's more annoying than a pedestrian who unnecessarily and illegally stops or delays traffic while trying to cross the street?

Pedestrians outside crosswalks must yield to cars. And speaking of crosswalks, bicycles should stay out of them unless directed otherwise.

Walking, running or biking on busy local streets can be risky. Pay close attention and share the road for safety's sake.

Share your thoughts on this subject by sending a Letter to the Editor to simi@theacorn.com or to the address below.