Bicycling Responsibly

[Bruce&Linda Dwyer]

The following, from the email newsletter "in My Opinion", tells an account of irresponsible bicyclists going through Old Town, a frequent complaint that we have all heard many times.  I have passed information on to the Alexandria Police about the WABA Safe Street Campaign that bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorist each have both rights and responsibilities on the road.  Go to http://www.waba.org/new/help/safestreets.php for more information.  In the meantime, please cycle responsibly.
Bruce Dwyer

Does The City of Alexandria Hold Bicyclists Responsible For Their Actions?

On Palm Sunday a woman motorist had stopped at a stop sign on Wolfe at Union Streets, then entered the intersection headed west. At about midway into the intersection two bicyclists could be seen approaching the stop sign on the north side of Union Street. The first bicyclist a woman in her twenties-thirties sped right through the stop sign as if it were not even there. The motorist braked and blew the horn and pointed at the stop sign. She began to proceed when the second bicyclist a man in his twenties-thirties apparently did not like the motorist notice to them of responsibility to stop at the stop sign and headed through the stop sign causing the motorist to again quickly brake. The male bicyclist then sped behind the motorist who was completely stopped three quarters across the intersection and screamed at her.

There is no way for a motorist to report bicyclists as breaking the traffic laws, endangering others be they motorists, pedestrians or other bicyclists, or for harassment. The bicyclists had on helmets and were unidentifiable and have no license plates. If the motorist had hit either of the bicyclists they would have been severely injured and the motorist would have been blamed even though the motorist was driving responsibly.

Bicyclists are supposed to obey the traffic laws and stop at stop signs. The Virginia Driver’s Manual says, "Bicyclists are considered vehicles and have the same rights-of-way as motor vehicles. Bicyclists are also expected to obey the same traffic rules and regulations as vehicle drivers …" It is bad enough that many motorists in Alexandria treat stop signs as yield signs, but bicyclists seemingly do not realize that they not only endanger themselves, but also could encumber an innocent motorist with their manslaughter.

While the crime rate in Alexandria may have improved, the serious lack of enforcement of basic traffic laws sets the stage for accidents and worse traffic violations. Cameras at stoplights help enforce traffic laws and probably save lives. Perhaps similar cameras should be sensitive to bicyclists and one put at Wolf and Union Streets or Duke and Union Streets or even Cameron and Union Streets where just to the north there is a sign that tells bicyclists they must stop at stop signs. Perhaps a police officer should be located at Wolfe and Union Streets particularly on weekends to protect motorists from bicyclists. Perhaps the City of Alexandria could enforce traffic laws. Or maybe the City of Alexandria could calculate the amount of money it would rake in from stop sign and stoplight violations. The problem has seriously intensified during the past nine months. If the City needs a monetary incentive to do something, traffic violation fines mount up. The problem is blatant with too many personal testimonies and eyewitness accounts from motorists, pedestrians, and those with professional driving licenses. Why does the City continue to ignore this? 

In My Opinion, Alexandrians with Two Cents (Sense) is published biweekly on or about the fifteenth, and on or about the thirtieth of each month, with the exception of December 30. All articles are the authors’ opinions, not the expressed opinion of this newspaper, and edited only for spelling. Articles and useful information are welcome. To contribute an article, useful information, or to request IMO by email send to - In My Opinion 127 S. Fairfax Street, P.M.B.#110, Alexandria VA 22314 or email InMyOpinion at att.net. Copyright IMO 2004. IMO relishes you receiving an idea and lighting your taper, but remember to acknowledge the source. Julie Crenshaw, editor and publisher (703) 549-2630.