Rae Waltman: Allowing cyclists to face traffic would lessen the mayhem
Re “ ‘Ghost bikes’ remind us of rides ending tragically” (Page B1, Feb. 15): Ghost Bikes? Safe Bike Routes? Seriously! There is no safety, nor will there ever be safety, while bicycles are required to ride with the traffic! No matter how wide bicycles lanes are made, or any other concessions, as long as bicyclists are riding “with” the traffic, disasters will continue. Cyclists “obeying” this stupid law will continue to be slaughtered, maimed or totally disabled for life through no fault of their own.
Car collisions continue every day. Thankfully, most drivers, passengers and cyclists survive. What is the percentage of a bicyclist surviving when being leveled by a 5-ton, or larger, vehicle from behind? Most cyclists never have the opportunity to even see the vehicle coming? Riding with traffic, they don’t even get the opportunity to at least try to dodge oncoming death! Forget the “safe” routes and concentrate on the real solution! Then placing additional “ghost bikes” won’t be necessary.
Rae Waltman, Riverbank
This story was originally published February 23, 2015 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Rae Waltman: Allowing cyclists to face traffic would lessen the mayhem."