The Sun News: Roads Unsafe: The Sun News should urge bicycle use – 27 November, 2006

After reading “Pump iron, not gas; obesity drags down mileage,” an Oct. 26 report, I felt compelled to express concern about the irony in the suggestion that if people exercised more, we would pay less for gas. It seems that the suggestion should be to get off the road altogether. This advice might create a safer environment for those of us who would rather ride our bikes to work, to shop, to visit friends, to have dinner or go to the library.

However, the roads are unsafe, not to mention the attitude of the often inconsiderate, overweight drivers.

The advantages of riding more and driving less are endless: a decrease in gas consumption; cleaner air for our community and planet; getting more exercise, which leads to a healthier society (and less obesity); and less traffic. Moreover, riding bikes would allow children to spend more time outdoors and produce a community of happier people because of improved physical activity, and create more communication by getting people out of vehicles and into contact with others.

Our newspapers should support and advocate a safer mode of transportation rather than finding another reason to let Americans know that we are an ever-increasing overweight people. Across the state and nation, there are numerous bike trails for the weekend exerciser; why not [have] these trails for the daily commuter? Is it necessary to wait until more people are hurt or killed on Horry County highways before our community insists on safety for those of us who prefer to ride our bikes? How many more people would choose bikes over cars, were the byways safer?

Could we fight gas prices by not consuming so much?

Should communities such as Forestbrook, Carolina Forest and River Oaks create bike paths for the safety of those who are already riding their bikes on these roads?

Is it possible to lower the [railroad] bridge for periods of the day so that bikers who wish to cross the Intracoastal Waterway might not have to use the overcrowded U.S. 501 bridge?

There are many questions, but there are many solutions. Is anyone willing to step up to the plate and demand a safer, stronger, healthier community?