vision2020@moscow.com: Driver Overload
Driver Overload
Jo Williams (tajs@potlatch.com)
Fri, 23 May 1997 08:58:47 -0700
Will look forward to the public forum next week on the safety of Moscow's
streets and sidewalks. Though I live in Princeton, driving and shopping
in Moscow has become an obstacle course of weaving bicycles, careless
pedestrians, and trying to second-guess the intentions of anyone standing
within 6 feet of a corner- all while navigating three lanes of traffic and
multiple stop lights. I've lost track of the times I've stopped at a
crosswalk- risking a rear end collision- only to have some pedestrian on
the corner either just stand there or turn and walk away. In the
alternative, many just start walking, regardless of the impossibility of
stopping for them 2 feet away. They don't seem to grasp the fact that a
trailer full of cattle doesn' t stop on a dime.
And bicyclists are worse; they seem to delight in playing games;
weaving between sidewalk, crosswalk and street, it is impossible to
predict their next movement . I'm tired of this irresponsibility.
I would like to recommend;
l) we petition state lawmakers to change the law and require ALL bicycles
to stop at stop signs, yield at yield signs, and generally be treated as
cars when it comes to rules of the road.
2) Require all bikes to have licenses and lights-on at all times-and find
out which gov't entity needs to address this. This is becoming more and
more of a problem with state highways and county roads; I don't mind
sharing the road; I'd just like to see them. I have seen countless
bikers riding north on 95 between Moscow and Viola, wearing dark clothing,
no lights-at dusk. This is suicidal.
3) Begin lobbying for bike lanes on all new highway construction; if
widening 95 is in our future, now is the time to be heard on bike lanes.
4) It may also be time to require bike education classes- either before
a bike is licensed, or purchased.
5) A serious effort by Moscow P.D. to ticket not only drivers, but bikers
and pedestrians whose careless conduct is a serious danger.
I would like to see all of these areas discussed; will try and be at the
forum. Jo Williams
tajs@potlatch.com
(208) 875-2360- local call from Moscow now
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