Daily News Journal: Bicyclists: ‘Just share the road’

As temperatures rise, avid cyclists find a way to take to the roads, despite potential hazards from passing vehicles. “Just share the road — it’s a joint effort,” said Xavier Solis, Murfreesboro Outdoor and Bicycles sales associate. Cyclists don’t have adequate space on busy roads, he said. On Dec. 11, 2006, Ulysses Durham, 11, was thrown from his bike after being hit by a passing Murfreesboro City Schools bus.

“As I was going toward the accident, I saw him on the ground — it was like the bus hit him and he flew on the other side of the street,” said Kimberly Durham, mother of Ulysses.

Last Wednesday, local physician and avid cyclist Caroline McGee was found on the side of the road next to her bike.

According to officers on the scene, there was no sign another vehicle was involved in the incident, according to Rutherford County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Goodwin.

Nevertheless, sharing the road is vital to safety.

“I think the world is so fast-paced — it’s hard to integrate the two (bikers and motorists),” said Solis.

Added Stephen Windham, avid cyclist and MTSU senior, “You’ve got to watch out — we follow the same road rules as (motorists) do — give us space.”

He said he takes a defensive approach while biking.

“You are just in such close quarters — if they can’t ride on sidewalks — then bicycle lanes in highly congested areas are essential,” said Giovanni DelRosario, a cyclist.

When lanes are not designated for cyclists, he said, then accidents could occur.

“Most people getting out of a vehicle are looking out for another vehicle and not bicycle,” said DelRosario.

“We are a vehicle too — we’ve got the same rights and responsibilities as a car,” said Chris Still a cyclist for six years.

Murfreesboro letter carrier Terry Smith, however, said most bikers do not obey traffic laws.

“I ride a bike too, but I slow and stop. There’s a four-way stop — (some bikers) don’t slow down,” he said.

Smith said cyclists and motorists should have to obey the same laws.

Motorist Tim Preston said the cyclists are free to share the roadway.

“If they stay to the side, I don’t have a problem with them,” he said.

Murfreesboro Police Lt. Alvin Baird said the city’s greenways are safe alternatives to bicycling on roadways that don’t have bike lanes.

“We have bike lanes in the city. As far as safety, if it is for recreational use, ride on roadways that have bicycle lanes,” he said.

Alma McCollum said she respects bikers’ tenacity to be on the roadways.

“I am just concerned for their safety — it could cause accidents.

On the Net: www.moabbikes.com