Share The Road

Ron and Janet Marshall

Today opened my eyes to what can happen when motorists give little regard to bicyclists. I must admit that I too, get antsy when I find myself behind one of those groups of guys and gals in padded spandex shorts, bright colored shirts and pointed helmets. I begin to grow frustrated and want to pass at the first opportunity....well that is exactly what happened today.

My brother loves cycling and was with his group returning from a 40 mile round trip ride in a hilly area near Asheboro, NC. He is 58 years old and in great condition. However in the heat he was getting very tired and having trouble keeping up with the others. The group approached a hill and slowed to about 15 miles per hour and he caught up but was still the last one in the pace line. He got too close to the last biker and hit his back wheel which caused him to wobble and then at the same time the motorcycle behind him had become anxious. Unable to wait on the bikers to make the hill and decided to blast past them gunning his bike in a no passing zone.

In what seems like a millisecond to the two involved and an eternity to the ones watching the motorcycle hit the bicycle. If you know anything about road bikes you are aware that your shoes are clipped into the pedals and that was the case for him. When the motorcycle hit the bike it threw him and the bike in the air and the motorcycle went down as well. The ambulance was called and when my niece called us we met them at the hospital.

He has a separated shoulder, three broken ribs, six stitches behind his ear and a place about the size of a deck of cards where his hair has been removed completely from his head due to road abrasion. He has road abrasion over a large part of his body and various other bumps, cuts and bruises. All of these will heal. However it will take a lot of time. As he said himself...his biking is over for this year.

My point in this rather lengthy post is that few people really understand the rules of sharing the road with someone on a bicycle. The same rules that apply to motorists apply to cyclist. Bicycles are considered vehicles and cyclist should be given the same right of way as a motor vehicle. Best advice would be to reduce speed and do not tailgate cyclists. If passing always leave at least four feet between you and the cyclist....you never know when they may unexpectedly fall.