BIKE: My first letter

[Tad Gilbreath]

This is the first letter I've sent to the local government since I moved 
here in 1985. Please don't flame me. I've been having to get medical 
treatment from the stress I've encountered over the past few weeks from 
motorists and members of the anti-cycling public. I just thought I would 
post it here so the forum can see what I sent to the Mayor and city Council.

First, I would like to say that I support the use of "sharrows" for bicycle 
safety in downtown Austin.
My other comments regard the safety of bicyclists in Austin. There are many 
issues that need to be addressed that I have not seen responses to nor 
replies to my requests for answers & explanations. First, my life is being 
endangered every time I operate my vehicle legally in this city. The Austin 
Police Department, which is supposed to enforce traffic rules and "protect" 
citizens have never done so in any situation I've been involved in or 
witnessed since I first moved here in 1985. Just last week, on a 1 hour 
ride, I was almost killed 3 times while operating my bicycle legally. The 
first was by a Capitol Metro bus which, while I was riding in a bicycle 
lane, pulled up next to me, then sharply turned into the lane, blocking it, 
and almost knocking me over the curb into a lightpost. It was only because 
of my many years of cycling experience was I able to break heavily and avoid 
that situation. Then, on the same ride, an APD officer and myself came to a 
4-way stopsign. As we both sat there, a woman not only just paused at her 
stopsign, but ran right through it without even slowing down. I approached 
the officer to ask him to go ticket her, but he refused to roll down his 
window and motioned me to "just move along". Then, about 15 minutes later, 
after waiting at a red light to turn greed, I proceeded through the 
intersection. There was an APD officer at the same intersection waiting for 
his light to turn green. As I went through the intersection, a dark blue SUV 
passed me so close, his right side rear view mirror hit my left elbow. I 
stopped and told the APD officer to go get the guy and what he did, but the 
officer refused to do anything. I train between 2 and 6 hours a day on my 
bicycle. So for safety, I have been riding my bicycle around the Town Lake 
Hike and Bike trail. I'd rather have an accident at low speeds on the cinder 
gravel than have a multi-ton piece of metal kill me. I was under the 
understanding that all dogs on the hike and bike trail have to be on a 6 ft. 
or shorter leash. Not only do people walk their dogs with longer leashes, 
many, many don't have them on leashes at all. Numerous times, when I've seen 
the APD bicycle patrol on the trail, I observe their actions. They do 
nothing to enforce the laws. Once, I saw them ride past 6 unleashed dogs. I 
was behind them and saw them even look at the dogs and did nothing. It 
appears they just like to get on their bikes and ride for fun and not as 
professional officers. Another situation happened on the internet where a 
person who I have all of his personal information for, physically threatened 
me. Is not the threat to my personal safety a crime? Who do I report this to 
and will it be ignored or taken seriously? The lastest incident I had was on 
the trail and a man tried to hit me with his fist. I was able to quickly 
avoid it and leave the area quickly. I didn't have my cell phone with me or 
I would have called the police (but would they have even done anything? I'm 
beginning to believe not). So, I ask the Mayor and the City council. What do 
I have to keep my person and my property safe in such situations since it is 
obvious that APD is not doing it's job to protect me. Will I have to hire a 
personal bodyguard? This is the step I'm considering taking until the Mayor, 
the City Council, and APD decrease my level of personal safety to a 
reasonable level. Finally, I live downtown where all of the new lofts and 
downtown apartments are being built. As I understand, it is against the law 
to operate a bicycle on the sidewalk in a business district. My example is 
5th street from Lamar to Congress and 6th street from Congress to Mopac. As 
I understand, it is illegal to operate a bicycle on the sidewalks adjecent 
to these streets (Although I see Austin Police Bicycle Patrols riding on 
these sidewalks regularly. Would the mayor, anyone on the council, or at APD 
please show me where they have a right to do this?) So, since I can't ride 
on the sidewalk, I'm required by law to ride in the traffic lane where I'd 
be breaking the law by impeding traffic since 1. I can't ride as fast as the 
speed limit on these streets and 2. APD doesn't enforce the speed limits 
anyways. The speed of motorists on 6th street and Lamar to Mopac often rises 
to as high as 50 mph. With Austin growing and more and more people living 
downtown, there is an urgent need to put into place safe plans for 
pedestrians and bicyclists to survive. I'm flabbergasted as to why APD won't 
enforce traffic laws in general, and especially when the lives of citizens 
are threatened on a daily basis.
Sincerely,
Tad Gilbreath


I'm sure it's not perfect, but that's the best I could do for today. I like 
Amy's comment/suggestion of having a car-free day. I'd certainly love to 
participate in any function that she or others can come up with.