To the editor:
I am a frequent bicyclist from my home in Green County. I make every effort to avoid busy highways, but sometimes I must travel for short distances on busier roads to connect with less traveled town roads.
Area drivers are generally courteous and welcoming to bicyclists, as would be consistent with our county's encouragement of visitors who enjoy cycling here. However, some recent near misses have caused me to write this letter.
Wisconsin law grants bicycles the same rights of travel as motor vehicles on all roads that are not posted. Many motorists still do not understand that when passing a bicyclist, a motorist must maintain a safe distance of at least 3 feet between the car (or truck) and the bicycle. This law, which also applies to electric personal assistive mobility devices, has been on the books since 1973. You can check it out at Wisconsin Statutes, sec. 340.075.
Why is this safe distance important? A bicyclist is affected by ambient wind and even more by the bow wave of large trucks. A large grain truck recently passed me on a flat, empty road, failing to give 3 feet of clearance, and nearly blew me off onto the sloping, gravel shoulder. On another occasion, two cars moving side by side at high speed up a hill with two lanes going in my direction failed to give way or move over, resulting in a very dangerous moment.
Two of my friends riding a tandem in another state were killed when they hit the lip of the pavement and fell under the wheels of a passing truck. We who ride bikes for health and exercise fail to understand why a driver would risk the death of another person rather than moving over, or waiting to pass safely if there is an obstructed view or oncoming traffic in the other lane. Is another life worth 60 seconds of your precious time?
Thanks for reading this reminder.
I am a frequent bicyclist from my home in Green County. I make every effort to avoid busy highways, but sometimes I must travel for short distances on busier roads to connect with less traveled town roads.
Area drivers are generally courteous and welcoming to bicyclists, as would be consistent with our county's encouragement of visitors who enjoy cycling here. However, some recent near misses have caused me to write this letter.
Wisconsin law grants bicycles the same rights of travel as motor vehicles on all roads that are not posted. Many motorists still do not understand that when passing a bicyclist, a motorist must maintain a safe distance of at least 3 feet between the car (or truck) and the bicycle. This law, which also applies to electric personal assistive mobility devices, has been on the books since 1973. You can check it out at Wisconsin Statutes, sec. 340.075.
Why is this safe distance important? A bicyclist is affected by ambient wind and even more by the bow wave of large trucks. A large grain truck recently passed me on a flat, empty road, failing to give 3 feet of clearance, and nearly blew me off onto the sloping, gravel shoulder. On another occasion, two cars moving side by side at high speed up a hill with two lanes going in my direction failed to give way or move over, resulting in a very dangerous moment.
Two of my friends riding a tandem in another state were killed when they hit the lip of the pavement and fell under the wheels of a passing truck. We who ride bikes for health and exercise fail to understand why a driver would risk the death of another person rather than moving over, or waiting to pass safely if there is an obstructed view or oncoming traffic in the other lane. Is another life worth 60 seconds of your precious time?
Thanks for reading this reminder.
