BRATTLEBORO — I appreciate the admonitions to drivers about being aware of cyclists. Some of us would love to be able to cycle around town but, for mobility, health, and other reasons, we need to stick with our automobiles.
I would thus like to add a few admonitions to cyclists, for the safety of all of us:
1) Cyclists are required to follow the same laws as drivers, e.g., stopping at red lights and stop signs, riding with the traffic. When cyclists do not stop at lights or signs (which I witness frequently), we drivers must pass them several times on our trip - more dangerous for the cyclist.
I also see cyclists coming toward me in my travel lane; this is especially dangerous when the cyclist is wearing dark clothing and not using a front light.
2) Many cities and states have regulations requiring cyclists to walk their bikes through downtown areas; apparently Vermont does not. I would encourage cyclists to do so rather than ride through heavy traffic as we drivers deal with the lights, cyclists, pedestrians, and other cars. This is especially advisable at this time of the year after the time change - and it is even more vital in bad weather, when everyone's visibility is greatly compromised.
While we're at it, let's encourage pedestrians to follow the rules, too, especially downtown and in other risky areas. Press the walk light and wait for it instead of risking your life by jaywalking.
Also, for bikes and pedestrians, use crosswalks whenever they are available; we drivers can see you in crosswalks better than we can in random areas of the road.
While it would be wonderful if our cities and towns in the U.S. were more amenable to the use of bicycles, unfortunately we are way behind our friends in Europe and elsewhere in this regard. Following the rules (or working to change them when they might not make sense) is usually in everyone's best interest in our society.