Beware of Spandex on Wheels

Isn’t spring in West Country wonderful?  Flowers, barbeques, dodging bicyclists while driving through traffic…

Question: how many times have you slammed on your brakes on a two-lane road like Kehrs Mill to avoid nailing someone riding a bicycle? Or how many times have you had to drive dangerously slow until it was “safe” to pass on a double-yellow line?

Roads are for transportation, not recreation – that’s why we have parks. I don’t drive my car through Vlasis Park, so why are bicycles allowed in traffic? 

There are plenty of safe streets to ride a bicycle in West County – the designated bike lanes on Clayton Road and Edison Road, for example. But Kehrs Mill and Wilson Road? Bikes don’t win in fights with cars; I’m shocked (and glad) there haven’t been more accidents.

Safety is one issue, insurance is another. If the city sees bicycles as legitimate street vehicles, shouldn’t they be subject to the same regulations as motor vehicles? If Lance Armstrong hits your truck or causes a wreck due to negligence, he’s essentially immune from legal action. Sux4u.

I’m not saying I’m for mandatory bicycle insurance; but the fact is that there are laws on the books that protect bicycles from automobiles, but not the other way around.

Am I jealous of their stretchy pants? That’s not the point. I just don’t want to see spandex splattered on anyone’s windshield. Ballwin and Ellisville (probably) have plans to add more bicycle lanes and paths – and that’s great – but until then be extra careful driving this spring, especially around organic food stores.