On Sunday, April 27th, the following letter was published in the AJC:
For years cyclists have caused traffic
problems on the streets. They ride slowly and avoid the rules of the road. Now these people are riding down major
highways during rush hour.
Traffic is bad enough
without people taking a recreational ride down a major road while productive
members of society are trying to get to actual
destinations. I'm seeing cyclists on U.S. 41 and Ga. 5
during rush hour, and there seems to be more of them each day.
We need to write our
politicians to get these people off the road.
-Kurtis R.E. Segars, Marietta
Most of the cycling community in Atlanta was outraged as Mr. Segars made it sound like those who ride bicycles are unproductive members of society and somehow find it a fun recreational idea to ride their bikes on busy roads during rush hour traffic. Not my idea of a good time. Have you ridden a bike in this town lately? It is often flat-out dangerous to be on the roads with a bike, not to mention the annoyance of inhaling rush-hour exhaust fumes.
But that is a big point for this city: air pollution. Yes, we've had a cool spring and those Code Red days have been nearly forgotten. But Atlanta is up there on smoginess. Cars, and not bikes it seems, are a major cause of hazards. During the '96 Olympics when the city was freaked out about event traffic and almost mandated people to ride MARTA or alternative transit...guess what? Cases in asthma went down and air quality went up (read the CDC press release).
So actually, these rush-hour bike riders are HUGELY productive. They aren't contributing to air pollution and are, in a very small part, increasing the health of everyone in the city. Sure, I am guilty myself of not always following the proper rules of the road when I'm on my bike, but when is the last time anyone driving in this city followed the speed limit?
I agree we need to get cyclists "off the road," but into bike lanes and paths. That is what we need to talk to the legislature about, commute options that protect cyclists and encourage clean commuting. Getting involved with groups like the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (ABC) is a great place to start. They offer Confident City Cycling classes so riders can learn the rules of the road and know their rights. Plus, you can join them for breakfast once a month at Thumbs Up Diner near downtown and see how friendly and productive cyclists can be.
Especially appropriate, the ABC will be hosting Atlanta BikeFest this Wednesday, May 14, from 11am-2pm. Along with the Downtown Transportation Management Association they will have some festivities and raffle prizes in Woodruff Park along with safety tips and information on commute options.
Other Resources