Complete Streets Legislation Could Improve Safety For Chattanooga Cyclists

Submitted by Joe Legge on March 16, 2009 - 4:36pm. News | Go Green | Government & Politics | Hamilton County News

Comments Below: 7

When it comes to building roads in Chattanooga, and other parts of the country, the automobile reigns supreme. "Currently we build our roads from the centerline out. We put in as many travel lanes as we can and if there is room left over there might be a sidewalk, there might be a bicycle lane, but probably not," says Phil Pugliese, Bicycling Coordinator for Outdoor Chattanooga.

Congress may soon change that. Legislation just filed in Washington would require all road projects funded with federal dollars, to consider the needs of all users. It's called "Complete Streets." Pugilese says "its not necessarily every road should have a bicycle lane, its not that every street should require a sidewalk, but at the same time we need to seriously look at if they don't, why don't they."

Supporters also want a change in the formula used to hand out highway safety funds. Although bicyclists and pedestrians account for 13% of all road fatalities, less than 1% of safety funds go to educate people about the rules and rights of non-motorized transportation.

Both efforts could have saved the life of local cyclist David Meek. Phillip Grymes, Executive Director of Outdoor Chattanooga, says "David's route is the route he had to take to get from his house to work."

According to a Chattanooga Police Department crash report, Meek died after being sideswiped by a truck and then run over by its rear tires. While the case will be presented to the grand jury next week, the report shows authorities did not cite the truck's driver for violating the three-foot law. "A person chose not to pay attention and by doing so, they took the life of another person," says Pugliese, who contends once engineering, education, and enforcement get on the same page, the roads will be safer for everyone.

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Such dire need of cooperation

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on March 17, 2009 - 4:38pm.

Both Joe's and David's comments are well placed.
And yet another reason I totally support Joe's campaign "3 feet please".

Why is it so hard for both motorists and cyclists to come together and cooperate? Especially when there are human lives at stake?

During our club ride this past Saturday in Pinellas County (Suncoast Cycling Club), a passing or oncoming driver thought it would be funny to "squirt" the cyclists that were proceeding in a group down the road in orderly fashion. But what he was squirting was a mace or bleach product! One of the cyclists swerved off the road because it went in his eye and thank goodness, no other accidents resulted. Naturally, he was in great misery and it was some time before he decided he could proceed home on his bike. His eye doctor said he suffered some abrasion of his eye but it would heal. Again, thankful it wasn't worse.

It's a sad state of affairs when motorists are totally unaware that 1) cyclists are legally obligated to BE on the road and SHARE the road with motorists and 2) they are totally unaware of the passing of the 3 foot law, which we are discovering is unenforceable.

Why do I see billboards for the seat belt law but none for this?

I hope we will see more funds allocation for education which in turn will hopefully spur communication and cooperation... and yes, on both sides... both motorist and cyclist... as they BOTH need to learn their responsibilities.

Thank you,
Christine

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Safe Cycling

Submitted by Joe Mizereck (not verified) on March 17, 2009 - 8:27am.

The same weekend David Meek was killed three other cyclists lost their lives and a few others in other parts of the country were injured when hit from behind by motorists. There will be more deaths and injuries in the months ahead with warmer weather around the corner. June to September are the most costly months in the numbers of cyclists' lives lost. And with more people using bicycles as a means of transporation and exercise, this summer could see a steep rise in the numbers. So, does it matter? Will any of these lives that have been lost and will be lost lead to any real change? Will these deaths and injuries stir us to take the steps needed to make riding a bicycle on our roads that we supposedly share safer? How many lives will it take for our leaders to become involved and make something happen? One? Ten? 100?

David Meek might still be with us and his family if only...

Let's not wait. Let's find ways to protect and save these cyclists' lives and work together to make our roads safer for all.

Joe Mizereck
joe@3feetplease.com

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Cyclist and Streets

Submitted by David Lynskey (not verified) on March 16, 2009 - 5:36pm.

I'm the most accomplished cyclist in Chattanooga. I founded Litespeed Titanium and now currently own Lynskey Performance Designs. I'm very saddened about David's unfortunate accident. I have been in the back of an ambulance two times. Which warranted ten operations. I wish to be involved with the city/county road bike friendly path. I am on both sides. Cyclist should know where they shouldn't ride and where they can. If there is any way I can help please contact me, my knowledge can be put to some good use.

Thank You,
David Lynskey

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All right, Davey, let's not

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on April 23, 2009 - 10:58am.

All right, Davey, let's not let the size of your head cloud our judgement now. I'll concede that you are more accomplished than I, nut that doesn't say much. Now let's talk turkey. You sound as though you want me, like so many others, to stop riding on your precious streets and stick to the nice parks and paths that are for walking and rising. Well, as I told those morons and blowhards, I'll tell you. I ride my bike TO WORK almost every day. There aren't any of your idiotic paths that lead to my office and there aren't any damn parks there either. So what do you want me to do? Roll over and say, "Oh, you're right, I give, you win, I'll be a good little boy and ride around the circle in the park"? BIOYA, butt-head. I pay for those raods too. I have paid with my money and my blood after having been run off the road several times. As far as I'm concerned, hit me, I dar you. That constitues an assault with a deadly weapon and just might force me to draw my weapon and protect myself. I suggest you give me 3 feet.

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Shouldn't Ride

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on April 23, 2009 - 9:28am.

I thought that we had Public roads and that they are open to all forms of transportation. So drivers should be aware of who is on the road at all times and always yeild at least 3 feet when passing bicyclist on the road. Some roads my be narrower and have more turns but that does not mean they cant be used on a bike and blame put on a cyclist for riding there.

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