Cyclists entitled to full traffic lane
By KEITH HITCH West Salem, Wis.
The recent letter to the editor from Terry Einer using the occasion of the tragic death of a cyclist under the wheels of an automobile as an opportunity to launch an invective against cyclists was shameful.
To suggest that cyclists occupying their rightful place in a lane of traffic should consider themselves fair game for drivers that "come around a blind corner" is wrongheaded and evidence of a selfishness far beyond that which the writer attributes to cyclists.
Wisconsin law directs as follows: "Do not share a lane with a pedestrian or bicyclist.
Wait until it is safe to pass in the adjoining lane.
Bicycles are vehicles, and are entitled to a full traffic lane." (From page 42 of the Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook published by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.)
Cyclists, logically, do their best to stay out of the way of motorists most of the time, (despite cyclists' right to occupy a lane of traffic). And the vast majority of Wisconsin motorists know the law and are willing to delay their arrival time by 10 or 15 seconds so as to be considerate to cyclists. It is sad that Mr. Einer did not choose to remain in the silent minority.
Based on news accounts, the recent automobile/bicycle accident on Hwy. 33 evidently involved a relatively inexperienced cyclist riding in darkness without rear lighting. The lesson to be learned from this tragedy is that cyclists should use lights when riding after dark. But to use that event as cause for a public complaint that cyclists annoy Mr. Einer as he drives through the curves of Hwy. YY during the day is, at best, meanspirited. It certainly suggests an ignorance of, or disdain for, the law.
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