Responding to a Daily Progress’ Feb. 6 editorial “Catering to bicyclists, pedestrians,” I note with considerable anxiety that hardly anyone here “caters” to either pedestrians or bicyclists. In fact, the opposite is true.
Pedestrians are seldom given the right of way in crosswalks or at traffic lights, as is required under Virginia law. It’s a game of chicken between the righteous walker and the rampaging SUVs, as one unfortunate pedestrian after another barely escapes with his life at Barracks Road shopping center, the Downtown Mall and other popular city venues.
On the other hand, bicyclists may righteously get what they deserve, as most of them seem blissfully ignorant of the traffic laws that apply to them as well as to motor vehicle traffic within the city. Time and again, we see errant bikers failing to stop for stop signs, making illegal and dangerous turns in front of traffic, rampaging down city sidewalks and otherwise gravely endangering themselves and others in their way.
But, not to worry: I am watching out for the bike enthusiasts and obeying all traffic laws for their safety and benefit as they breezily wheel their way around the city, ever playing “bike Russian Roulette” with my life and theirs. Perhaps a traffic citation or two might serve to remind them that our safety is their responsibility as well as mine.
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