Bike Safety Follow-up

 

The piece that I wrote about bicycling a couple of weeks ago sure generated a lot of discussion.

After my column is published in The Daily Times, I post it on social media. It was there where I saw a lot of feedback.

The comments ranged widely but the consensus seemed to be that everyone was concerned about the safety of cyclists, that the recent death was truly tragic.

Let me tell you a bit about my bicycle history. I got my first bike when I was seven and promptly wrecked it in front of Marie Brooks house when I thought a car was going to pull out in front of me.

For years after that, a bicycle was my primary means of transportation.  I lived on the outskirts of town but most of my buddies lived in town, a mile or so away. In the summers, I would get up in the morning, ride into town, and do stuff with my friends (that’s another story).

The only rule was be home for dinner.

In college, the bike stayed at home. I got married right before moving to Memphis for physical therapy school, so my wife got the car to take to work while I rode my bike to class, rain or shine.

As a young father, I got my kids bikes and we would often ride together. Most of that was on the few mountain bike trails we had around here back then.

It was actually my college-age daughter that convinced me to get a road bike and for the next several decades, I rode on the roads.  I put in thousands of miles, most of those with my buddy Steve Bright.

I’ve always rode my mountain bike—I was a “mixed” rider, I guess. For many years, Ken Bell, Eric Morgan, Keith Amos, and I would head out for week-long mountain bike excursions.

Blackberry Mountain opened up mountain bike trails for guests and I was the first to sign up as a guide (something I still do occasionally).

Most of my riding now is mountain biking, most often with Ken Bell. Many Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, you’re going to find us on one of the many trails around here.

Baker Preserve in south Knoxville. I.C. King Park off Old Knoxville Highway. Vee Hollow in Townsend. And my current favorite, Concord Park in west Knoxville.

And here’s the thing—I will continue to preach to bikers to be smarter and safer.  I will continue to advocate for the rights and protection of bike riders everywhere.

But ride I will. As long as I’m able.

BIKE SAFETY

If you know me well, you know I’ve spent a lot of time on a bicycle--many thousands of miles on a road bike. And hundreds of hours on my mountain bike.

You may have heard about the death of Joyce Frey.  Joyce, an avid cyclist, was riding on Old Niles Ferry Road recently when she was apparently struck and killed by a vehicle that left the scene.

I first became acquainted with Joyce and her husband Ernie several years ago when we were both helping with the annual Tour de Blount bicycle ride.  More recently, I attended a flyfishing class that she and Ernie provided through Parks & Rec. Joyce and Ernie had seemed to dedicate their retirement years to helping others.

Some folks are using this tragedy to make it clear that they don’t think that bicycles belong on roads.. Many state loudly that the Greenbelt Trail is the place to ride a bicycle.

Let me state unequivocally, the Greenbelt is meant for casual biking. It was originally conceived to be a conduit for transportation.  It’s an awesome asset for our community but it’s not place for the serious rider. You don’t want me on the Greenbelt, unless I’m out for an easy ride with a grandchild.

A lot of people hate people on a bicycle. It’s true. I’ve been cussed, been the recipient of way too many single finger salutes, and have had vehicles (mostly trucks) swerve in an attempt to scare me.

My wife, who used to quietly support my need for riding, now makes it clear that she doesn’t like for me to go out on my road bike. 

But here’s the thing—bikes have every right to be on the roads. There are laws governing bicycles on public roads (stay to the right, double line only, pull off if traffic is backed up behind you), but it is completely legal for me to ride my bicycle on a road. Any road.

It may not be smart, but it is legal. It is also illegal to come within 3 feet of a bicycle rider on the road. That law was passed after a local man was killed, riding on the shoulder of the road. 

Smart riders—and that would be most of us—stay off busy roads. Main arteries in and out of town should be avoided, but what about the person that rides their bike to work? Or maybe the individual who made a mistake and lost their driver’s license?

Many more people are killed on motorcycles every year, but is anyone proposing a ban on motorcycles on The Dragon?

Do some bike riders ride irresponsibly?  Absolutely. I preach to riders all the time to follow the law and ride safely. Is it a great sport? Undoubtedly. Is it smart to ride on the roads? I’m not sure anymore. The debate will go on.

Don’t hate us. We’re friends and parents and somebody’s son or daughter. And don’t threaten us. We’re just out there getting some exercise and enjoying the outdoors.

These days, you’re more likely to find me on my mountain bike, but know this for certain--I will defend to my last breath the right to ride a bike on the road. And I’ll still get out on my road bike from time to time because I do still love it. But I will pick my roads carefully and ride defensively.