BIKE: Safe?

[Stephen Wechsler]

Randall,
I don't know whether it is safe to ride in 40 mph traffic.  Probably 
not.

Your quandary is one I face at times as well.  It is obvious (or so it 
seems to me) that there should be some sort of space on the road for 
bikes to ride so that cars don't have to wait behind you or move into 
the opposing lane to pass.

Believe it or not, there are some people on this list who are opposed 
to bike lanes that separate us from the cars.  They would have us ride 
in the same roadway with the cars.  Maybe they could suggest something.

Steve



On Nov 19, 2004, at 2:32 PM, danceswithcars wrote:

> Hello.  It's been quite a while since I've posted.  I have a situation 
> I'd like to run by you.
>
> I used to commute to downtown Fort Worth, 25 miles round trip, daily.  
> My route was over an in-city state highway, four lane, with wide 
> shoulders.  I rode mostly the shoulders on my Trek 520 and I never had 
> any kind of problem concerning my personal safety.
>
> I'm 62 yo and retired from my downtown job and I've now accepted a job 
> driving a school bus.  The bus barn is 10 miles from my home.  The 
> route is okay except for the last 2 miles.  This two mile stretch is 
> on a two lane narrow road with absolutely non-existent shoulders and 
> the posted speed limit is 40 MPH.  I fear there's not enough room for 
> me to ride unless I take the lane, ie. make following traffic actually 
> move over into the opposing lane to pass me.  I really want to commute 
> by bicycle but I'm not sure I could do it safely.  Your opinion 
> greatly appreciated.
>
> Randall in Fort Worth, Texas
>
>
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