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Georgia state law is clear when it comes to bicycles — they have as much right to be on the roads as other vehicles. So why is it so difficult to get drivers to understand that cyclists are not a nuisance and must be treated as another vehicle would be.
Unfortunately, accidents such as the one profiled on the Times’ front page today highlight the generally cavalier attitude of drivers in the area when it comes to yielding the road to cyclists. The rant and raves often include misguided comments made by vehicle drivers who have no compassion for cyclists nor do they seem to understand the law.
For their own protection, cyclists must bear the lion’s share of the burden when it comes to safety. It is up to cyclists to wear reflective clothing and safety helmets, and to ensure their bikes have reflectors and lights. Cyclists have to obey traffic laws as vehicles do, which means stopping at stop signs and intersections, and ensuring that they are visible to drivers, and riding in a safe manner.
Driver distraction and inattentiveness as well as the lack of understanding of the rights of cyclists leads to dangerous and often fatal or near-fatal accidents. And there are far too many in this community.
It is true that having to share the roadways is not an ideal situation. When vehicles hit bikes, it’s not generally the vehicle drivers who are at risk. A vehicle weighing thousands of pounds driving at even low speeds can seriously hurt or kill a cyclist.
It is unfortunate that Valdosta-Lowndes County doesn’t offer more bicycle lanes on roadways, and bike trails for recreational riders.
It’s a goal for the community and needs to be a higher priority as cycling isn’t just for exercise, but provides the primary means of transportation for a number of individuals in the community, particularly college students.
Perhaps reading the story of a man whose legs used to propel him for miles on local roadways now fighting for the ability to walk again will help bring the message home to drivers in this community. Not just traffic law but basic human decency means giving cyclists the respect on the roadways they deserve.
What We Think
The roads belong to cyclists too
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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Thoughts on graduation
