At least two personal friends have been in car versus bike wrecks on River Road in recent months. They were lucky. They escaped with just a few broken bones.
But cyclists tempt a similar fate everynight. I came upon a huge peleton of riders a couple of nights ago, blocking one lane of traffic and more. Some of the lesser skilled riders were weaving into oncoming traffic on River Road.
Cyclists were everywhere. Drivers were impatient as the cars slowed to, well bike pace. And when cars try to pass, or two cars meet at a place with a bike, there is no room for error. An error means the cyclist loses.
The answer is bike paths. We should have had a bike path on River Road years ago. In fact, every road that is built or renovated should have a walking or biking path. Memphis, Tennessee has been doing that for years. Why not Louisville?
I'm not sure we'll ever create a transportation society where bikes and cars mix. But cyclists are a growing group of exercisers, with great potential to save on the use of fossil fuels. Plus, it's a nice way to get a cardiovascular workout and enjoy the scenery.
But you can't enjoy the view, if you fear a truck is going to knock you into the ditch. Louisville can be a bike friendly place but we have to build the trails that separate the big vehicles from the small.
I know, cyclists will say, "we have just as much right to the roads as the cars."
True! But rights to the road won't mean much if you're recovering in a hospital bed.