Tribune Editor:
My reflection on your opinion article, "New bike bill faces uphill climb" (Feb.8) occurred while bicycling home on Oakland's narrow Trestle Glen Rd during a rainstorm this afternoon. A motorist approached me from behind and I could see from the headlight beams on the pavement that the vehicle had already maneuvered to pass. However, another vehicle was approaching, head-on, in the opposing travel lane. One thought that raced through my mind was to purposely crash into parked cars to avoid a collision with moving vehicles. Fortunately, the passing motorist slowed and pulled in behind me to wait until it was safe to pass.
If all such encounters had similar happy endings, bicyclists would not be clamoring to remind motorists to pass safely. Safe passing is already required by law. Our primary focus in Sacramento this year is to pass a Complete Streets bill to make every road a good road for bicyclists to safely share with motorists with good design and engineering. Nevertheless, urban collector streets-like Trestle Glen Rd-and many rural routes popular with recreational riders cannot be widened and will require that we all abide by the law and behave with courtesy.
Indeed, your closing comment, "drivers and bicyclists need to be aware of their surroundings and look out for each other" is apropos and points to the need for more attention to education for all users of public roads.
Robert Raburn, Executive Director, East Bay Bicycle Coalition
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