The death of cyclists usually stirs up strong emotions, especially if no prosecution follows, but others say it is only fair for everyone 'sharing the road' be required to purchase registration, tags and insurance. What say you?
A recent story in Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch highlighted the problem with cycling safety on local streets. It noted that cyclist Dave Mathews, injured in a bad bike wreck 18 months ago, has made cycling safety an issue. His passion on the subject was fueled after a pickup struck and killed cyclist Paul Taylor and authorities announced last week nobody will be prosecuted. The reason the authorities gave was that they don't have the evidence to make a case.
"We're human beings, too," said Mathews, who started a Facebook page about bike safety in Atlanta. "We're not disposable creatures."
Atlanta bicyclists have long complained about motorists being inconsiderate, with many hogging the road and passing them too closely. Earlier this year, Roswell resident and bicycling advocate Eric Broadwell was struck by an off-duty Fulton County police officer. He escaped the incident relatively unharmed. Unfortunately, others are not so lucky. A Loganville cyclist Mark Jidov was killed by a car while cycling on Broadnax Mill Road last year. It was taken hard by his family and friends. Not only because they were saddened by the loss of someone very special to them, but also because they believed it was something that could have been avoided. Broadnax Mill Road now carries "Share the Road" signage. It is hoped this will draw attention to the cyclists and cut down on some of the road accidents and deaths.
Matthews has created "Ghost bikes" at some of the accident sites that resulted in cyclist fatalities, hoping to draw attention to the issue. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution story quoted the Atlanta Bicycle Association as saying 28 people died in bike related accidents in Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties between 2003 and 2008.
So do you think the Georgia laws are strong enough to protect both cyclists and motorists who share the road? Do you think that cyclists using the road should be required to register their bikes and purchase tags and insurance?
Babs DesMarteau
1:28 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Cycling laws are not the answer. If you think so, answer the question "Are Georgia's motor vehicle laws adequate protection for Georgia's motor vehiclists?" The answer is AWARENESS, skill, abiding by the laws we do have, patience and tolerance. 100% of the time when a cyclist is killed or hit, it is because a law that does exist was broken--speeding, failure to keep a proper lookout, careless operation of a motor vehicle, etc. etc. etc. More stringent enforcement and steeper penalties for existing violations would go a long way.
Bill Roberts
9:36 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I have no idea what the headline of this article is implying- would a cyclist carrying tags and insurance keep him from getting killed?
Ernest Campbell
3:22 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I walk, run , bike and drive. And, on the otherhand, I see adult cyclist regularly placing themselves in danger. Too many don't stop at stop signs. Too many ride thru stopped traffic. Recently, while walking, I was almost run down by a string of cyclists cutting a street corner by jumping a curb, coming onto the sidewalk and then back on the street. They did this to cut ahead of the traffic stopped at the Stop Sign. So, this discussion is a two way street.
Urly
3:40 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Cyclists should obey the laws and be licensed. They are horrible in my neighborhood.