Bicyclist explains why she rides in the road
To the editor:
This letter is in response to the woman who yelled out of her brown SUV truck at me on the morning of Feb. 1st in Bokeelia. “Get on the bike path! Get off the road!”
I was traveling 20 mph on the right side of the berm on Stringfellow on my bike. I have been an avid road cyclist for 20 years and have ridden all types of terrain, traffic and weather. Here are the reasons I will not ride my bike on the bike path and only on the road.
1. Safety. The number of times I have almost been hit by cars riding my bike on the bike path along Stringfellow is unbelievable. People simply do not stop or see cyclists on the path at business entrances or streets. My father was actually hit twice by cars while biking on “safe” paths and sidewalks. Being clipped into my pedals and traveling at 20 mph, eventually, even though I have the right of way, a broadside accident is bound to happen. I am much more visible on the road on my road bike and much more secure in traffic.
2. Terrain. Road bikes are built to ride on the road. Hybrids, beach bikes and mountain bikes are conducive to path. I ride my mountain bike on the path, not the road, as it handles in the sand, bumps and rocks easily. Road bikes have very thin tires which are not suitable to handle sand and gravel terrain. Again, it is a safety issue.
3. Legality. I have every much of a right to ride my bike on Stringfellow as you do to drive your SUV truck. My taxes pay the same expenses. My bike actually makes less impact on the road. I do not ride in the middle of the road, but on the berm so I can easily be passed if need be.
I am sorry if that second it took you to slow down made you late, but if so, maybe your temperament is such that you shouldn’t visit, reside or work at the tip of Pine Island. Mainly for safety reasons, I will continue to ride my road bike on the intended terrain, the road. Please stop your yelling.
Laura Stipkovich
St. James City