Cyclists in the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina are coming to grips with the latest tragedy on local roads:
Two bicyclists riding single file along the white line were struck from behind by a Jeep Friday morning on a rural road south of the city. One cyclist, Donald Sunday, 62, of Winston-Salem, died at the scene. The other, Barry Leonard, 49, suffered a broken pelvis and rib.
News stories about the tragedy were accompanied by sickening rants by motorists who believe they have a superior right to the roads.
Safer environment for bikes
In an editorial, the Winston-Salem Journal took the high road. It said the state needs to make a safer environment for bicyclists on the roads.
The writer cited the need for greenways, bike trails and bike lanes, even the responsibility of motorists to share the roads with the bicyclists who are entitled to be there.
“We should honor the memory of Donald Sunday by doing whatever we can to make bicycling safe and enjoyable for everyone.”
Reaction
That sentiment was just too much for the nameless Neanderthals who always vent their spleens against cyclists in these types of stories. One shared this:
“I personally made up my mind several years ago, that before I wreck another car, or run off the road and possibly kill or injure myself, I will run slap over the bicyclist who is at fault.”
This is the guy who assumes that he's got more of a right to the road than anyone else because his car is heavier than a bicycle. It would be interesting to hear his reaction to a truck driver who might consider he has more rights to the road than a car driver, merely because his truck is heavier.
[I'll admit that I've never heard a truck driver espouse this position, however, probably because they're professionals and most motorists are rank amateurs.]
Pointless
As is always the case, some well-meaning commenters tried to educate the bicycle-hater about state law, the source of road funding, and what is right and decent. And, as is almost always the case, those arguments just inflamed the righteous car driver into making more threats.
Some folks don't listen to reason.
Charges
According to police investigating the crash, the driver of the Jeep, Linda Sink, 51, wasn't impaired, speeding or using her cell phone. “She just hit two bicycles in the rear end,” Trooper J.R. Phillips told the newspaper.
She's been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and failure to reduce speed.
Of course the story reported the charges, “Driver of car that struck two cyclists… “, opened a whole new round of comments about bike riders being “so dangerous”, and they don't belong on the road with motor vehicles.
I don't know what it takes to change this mindset. Education and reason don't work. Maybe there's a way to re-introduce them to the joys of bicycling.
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