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News Jan 18, 2008 Reservoir Speed Control Radar Proposal Chief Waggener: Thank you for your efforts to police the Reservoir area, and reduce the possibility of accident situations by enforcing the speed limits on Spillway and Northshore Parkway. As the owner of Ride South Bikes and Boats, we encourage our customers to use and enjoy these roads and trails for recreational cycling. We have been a victim of many near-misses from speeding motorized vehicles in these areas and we support your efforts to slow folks down. As a bicyclist, we strive to share the road with motorists and abide by all traffic laws. In return, we expect the motorist to share the road and only pass us when it is safe to do so, the same courtesy they would expect. We have many cyclists who ride on the upper Spillway road weekly, including myself. The upper roadway has a useable bike lane that is wonderful for enjoying the beauty of our reservoir. However, because the lower bike trail is not smooth paved, it is not suitable for road bikes. Therefore, to return on that unfinished bike lane is asking for flats or worse, a tumble into traffic. Riding on the roadway only provokes the unknowing motorist to push the cyclist over on the unimproved trail with their vehicle! We have taken to riding on the high road, facing traffic, as a "safer" alternative, although a head-on collision with an 80 mph speed differential is not survivable under any imaginable circumstance! In fact, a cyclist traveling 20 mph in one direction, facing traffic traveling 60 mph in the other direction, closes 117 feet in one second - no time to avoid a swerving car, or a swerving cyclist! The obvious remedy to the traffic problem is simple enforcement of appropriate speed limit laws. Taking away drunk drivers driving privileges, at least, would also help. If it takes radar to solve the problem, then let's implement it. Nationwide studies have shown that bike lanes on main roads increase safety for motorists as well as cyclists. Emergency lanes for repairs, smoother traffic flow and increased roadbed longevity are only a few benefits of good bike lanes. Proper bike lanes on both sides of major residential arteries, such as Old Fannin Road, would open the existing Reservoir trails to thousands of cyclists, as well as provide better traffic flow. Smooth paving the already existing bike lane on the low Spillway Road will allow access to Rankin County by many Hinds and Madison County cyclists, and may prevent a very ugly fatality on such a scenic part of our area. We are copying this letter to our customers, many who live, work and recreate in the beautiful Reservoir Area and will post on our website. We encourage all to help make our part of the planet a better place. Thank you! On Jan 17, 2008, at 5:23 PM, Perry Waggener wrote: Jim Snider info@ridesouth.com RideSouth.com 105 Avalon Court Brandon, MS 39047 601 992-2490 888 822-3647 View All News |
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