posted November 28, 2008
Well, I know this has probably been driven into the ditch, literally over and over.
Thanksgiving morning, while traveling to Cleveland for a family gathering, we encountered some bike riders on the W Road. This particular incident just screamed for a comment.
I met two riders, in the W section, riding not single file but abreast. A line of cars was crawling up the road behind them.
Come on, guys, give us SUV drivers a break. When vehicles are backed up behind you, share the road and let them pass. I could not help but notice the expressions of the drivers behind this intrepid pair. Road rage would be a mild description.
I am sure the turkeys in transit were getting cold, and at homes people were waiting on missing family members. I guess if I was healthy enough, riding would be a lot of fun.
It was when I was young, but I stayed in subdivisions. Slamming into mailboxes and oak trees was enough excitement for me. I never did care for dodging cars.
As far as I know, no rider has been injured on the W Road, but the day is coming. It is a tragedy in the making. Both for the rider and the unfortunate driver who rounds a curve and there they are.
On our return trip, coming back up the W I fell in behind a single rider, but was able to pass him safely between curves.
Is there not a challenging course somewhere around here that is not heavily traveled? The hill going into Miller's Cove in Sequatchie County would test the best of you. Or how about the hills on Horseshoe Road?
Shackleford Ridge Road from Signal Mountain to Anderson Pike would work too. I am not writing this to ignite a firestorm, just save someone's life before it is too late.
Mitchell Thurmer
mthurmer4300@comcast.net
Signal Mountain
* * *
Quietly pull up behind them and lean on the horn.
That should clear the path fairly quickly, I'd say.
Jim Stevens
Jim_12494@msn.com
* * *
Unfortunately, sliding up behind a bicycle and laying on the horn is illegal. There also must be at least three feet between a motorized vehicle and bicycle when passing. Neither are we allowed to shoot them with paintball guns, 'tater cannons, or water balloons.
The bicycle lobby here in Tennessee is pretty strong.
However, it's also a violation of law to be moving too slowly on a road laned for vehicular traffic and is subject to fines of up to 50 bucks according to the Tennessee Code (title 55-8-123, paragraph 4a). So the next time we find ourselves stuck behind a bicycle we need to call the Sheriff's Department, the city of Chattanooga Police, or the police for the town of Signal Mountain and let them know Leonardo, Rafael, Michelangelo, Donatello, or a combination of them, are loose wearing their skinny nuthin's, and would someone please call their sensei because they're blocking traffic and need to be herded home. Then sit back and enjoy the scenery while we wait for the show to start.
A $50 citation ought to pucker some spandex. It would also contribute cash to the public coffers.
An option would be to contact State Rep. Richard Floyd, since the W Road is in his district, and ask him to file legislation requiring all bicycles to be licensed just as any car, truck, motorcycle, or YuppieMobile. If they're using the public roads, they need to be licensed to do so. Gosh, there's more money for the treasury. But by doing this, we drivers could also take down license numbers in the event the police are busy doing important stuff and turn them in for citation. We'd have to show up in court as a witness, I'm sure, but that would be a small price to pay if it would eliminate a problem on the highways.
Another option would be for the residents of the town of Walden to get together and demand their Board of Aldermen restrict bicycles from using the W Road. To be sure, they would still be able to use the Chattanooga portion of the road, but that would only be until Chattanooga got on the bandwagon too. Bicycles are, after all, a hazard on that road and sometimes we have to protect citizens from themselves. Just ask Richard. Fines would be another boon to government.
With the budget deficits being faced by the state this year, it's about time bicyclists began paying their fair share. We have to pay to fish, hunt, smoke cigarettes and cigars, drink beer and liquor, use the telephone, and go out to dinner. They tax our weapons and ammunition, tires, water, gas and electricity. It's about time we begin to tax the use of bicycles on public thoroughfares. Kids under the age of 16 and riding in a residential area would be exempt.
I wonder what kind of additional toys Hamilton County could buy for Volkswagen with all those additional tax and fine dollars.
Royce E. Burrage Jr.
Royce@ReplaceNaifeh.com
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