Re: “,” June 12 letter to the editor.
Letter-writer Stanley A. Sunderwirth emphasizes the need for motorists to give bicyclists ample space when passing them because, if for no other reason, itap the law. I agree. I’m repulsed by aggressive, obnoxious motorists who get perilously close to bicyclists.
However, it appears that if you indicate that bicyclists are also obliged to obey traffic laws, you may be labeled as a bike hater (a designation Sunderwirth uses to refer to a letter-writer who requests more police enforcement of bicycle traffic laws). Coasting through stop signs/stop lights, going the wrong way on a one-way street, riding three or more abreast on streets, and racing down sidewalks violate traffic laws (at least in Denver), but reflect frequent behavior on the part of some bicyclists. Not a day passes that I don’t see a motorist pulled over by the police for violating a traffic law (a good thing). How many times have you seen a bicyclist pulled over? I thought so. Letap apply these laws equitably.
Jon P. Weimer, Denver
Every year at this time, we are bombarded with letters like the one referenced above and TV commercials to be aware of and courteous to bicyclists.
As a cyclist and a commercial driver, I’d like to remind cyclists that they also need to obey the laws. The same laws apply to cyclists and motor vehicles alike. Stop at stop signs and red lights. Yield where it says yield. When you see a vehicle with its right-turn blinker on, don’t try to pass them on the right. Slow down and let them make their turn just like you would in a car. When you want to make a left turn, don’t just dive across the intersection in front of all the other traffic. Slow down and make your way over to the left turn lane when it is safe to do so, just like in your car.
If you want respect, you have to give respect. Bicyclists are not all angels, and I see these laws broken by bicyclists every day.
James E. Thrush, Eaton
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