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NewslettersCyclist hit by car on Trask Parkway
Sun, 2008-10-05 21:15 — Anonymous
A 53-year-old Beaufort man was hit by a car Thursday morning while riding his bicycle in the middle of Trask Parkway. Read the story here.
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This is not a "Cyclist". This is a person on a bicycle like so many in this town that have no other transportation and no regard for the law concerning how to ride a bicycle in traffic. Over the past decade since I've lived here I've seen these people ride bicycles in medians and on side-"walks". And the town does nothing about it. Just shows how backward this town can be. I am a "cyclist" that abides by traffic patterns and laws and is concerned with all users of the roadways so that I dress to make myself safe and visible. So I PROTEST to this towns authorities and law enforcement that do not hold these down-and-outs that ride bicycles in medians and on side-"walks" to the same laws that they would hold me - a cyclists - to. Wake up Beaufort! And please Beaufort Gazette be more proactive in demonstrating some knowledge of the law. Read law: H3006 that protects "cyclists" but has no provision for the man on a bicycle that this story is about.
...Just shows how backward this town can be...
Sure we have our idiots. Every town does, but if you say we're backwards just because some people don't know the rules of the road, you're gonna ruffle some feathers around these parts.
We're proud of our little town, imperfect as it may be. It really can't be that bad though if you and all the other transplants haven't packed your bags and gone back to the less backward places from which you came.
I am a "cyclist" that abides by traffic patterns and laws and is concerned with all users of the roadways so that I dress to make myself safe and visible.
Maybe he can't afford gas or a car — or the clothes he needs to dress to make himself safe and visible. Biking gear is expensive! Maybe he is not riding on the side of the road because he is afraid he will not be seen if he doesn't have reflective clothing or a flag or a light (all the items he can't afford).
Do you have any old gear, publicservent25? Or any other cyclists out there? It might be time to organize an used, but still useful, cycling gear drive? Donate it to those less fortunate cyclists out there in the community? A lack of interest in this idea is more indicative of a "backwards" community than the cyclists you refer to.
Maybe some of those cyclists you see on the sidewalks don't know all the rules. Maybe Beaufort needs a public service organization to publish brochures about the rules of the road that folks can pick up at grocery stores, etc.
Just a few ideas ... What do you think? They might help!
Anyone have any others?
• This blog post has a good breakdown of the current bicyclist laws in our state:
http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-south-carolina-laws-to-protect.html
• Here is more information about the laws and many other resources from Palmetto Cycling Coalition:
http://www.pccsc.net/advocacy.htm
• If you are interested in the official legal document, the text of the House bill can be found here:
http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_2007-2008/bills/3006.htm
I have entry on my blog every spring about the cyclists infesting Chicago. Here most cyclists don't obey traffic laws like red lights. They cause traffic jams because on city streets you can't pass without going into the other lane.
Do cyclists generally obey traffic lights in Beaufort?
As a rule, true cyclists obey traffic lights, casual riders don't always obey the laws. They run red lights, ride on the wrong side of the road, ride on the sidewalk etc.
djv1255, are you refering to a Critical Mass event in Chicago?
Large groups of bicyclists gather at Critical Mass events, spread through or form a large pack on a city's or town's streets and block traffic at intersections and the middle of roadways as a way to raise advocacy and "take back" the roads.
From the Critical Mass Web site:
"Critical Mass is a bike ride plain and simple. The ride takes place on the Last Friday Of Every Month (in Chicago anyway). A Critical Mass is created when the group of riders comes together for those few hours to take back the streets of our city. The right of the people to assemble is guaranteed in the Constitution, and Critical Mass helps people remember that right. The Mass itself has no political agenda, though, no more than the people of any other community do. Critical Mass is open to all, and it welcomes all riders to join in a celebration of riding bicycles.
http://chicagocriticalmass.org/about
Critical manners: An alternative organization created as a response to Critical Mass. "Critical Manners" participants ride through the city on the second Friday of the month, with riders encouraged to obey all traffic laws such as stopping at red lights and signaling.
http://tribes.tribe.net/criticalmanners
I am talking about “greenie” commuters.
Let’s say your commute takes you on Carteret St. Every evening, you run into 3 to 5 commuter cyclists. In heavy traffic in both directions, it is hard to pass especially giving a three foot buffer. The commuter cyclists cause traffic jams. And every red light, the “greenie” commuters run the red light so you have to pass them several times.
This gives you an idea of my afternoon commute.
I saw the accident that injured the man. He clearly was in the wrong place that morning. For anyone that rides into Bft as the sun rises they know its impossible to see when facing the east. Beaufort could certainly use Bike lanes...I for one would ride if it were remotely safe. Its coming to the point with gas and the strain on business's I may have to run flak alley to work...