Last week the cycling community lost a friend. Jay Kirby, an experienced cyclist, was run down by an elderly driver who claimed he “didn’t see” the 79-year-old-cyclist.
ay was the model of a good cyclist, a long-time member of Sussex Cyclists who often urged members to follow the rules of the road, to ride smartly and safely. Jay was a quiet man who led by example. He wasn’t an outspoken advocate like me. I only rode once with him, and I know he was a strong, consistent rider. He was a good roadie and rode on Route 1 almost daily.
I have heard comments about not allowing cyclists to ride on Route 1 because of the “danger” it poses to cyclists. I have ridden on Coastal Highway for nearly three decades, and yes, it poses concerns for safety, but that shouldn’t be a reason to ban cyclists.
Should we ban cars for the many accidents they are involved in?
Years ago, a Sussex Cyclists team went to Dover to seek the removal of buses in the shoulder and make the shoulder a dedicated bike lane. At the time, bus drivers were nearly running us down because we were riding in “their lane.”
We agreed to disagree but DelDOT agreed to allow cyclists to share the bus lane. And we held sessions with the bus drivers to help them become aware of how to respect cyclists riding on the shoulders. They agreed to be more respectful of people riding on Route 1 and DelDOT changed the shoulders to “Bus/Bike Lanes.”
Many of us would like to see buses use the roadway only and make the shoulder a dedicated bike lane that would be recognized by motorists and create a road profile that bikes are present. Several U.S. states have even taken automobile lanes and converted them to bike lanes because they recognize cycling as a means of transportation as well as recreation.
Bikes belong on the road, and sidewalks are not appropriate for cyclists riding both ways crossing numerous curb cuts and posing a threat to users such as foreign students who work at many restaurants and shops on the highway.
Earlier this year, nearly 50 cyclists pedaled silently on Route 1 in our annual Ride of Silence. It’s a worldwide event to make the motoring public aware of cyclists and to memorialize those who have been injured or killed while riding. It was Sussex Cyclists’ 15th ROS. I hope we will have twice as many riders next year to honor Jay May 20 when we will hold our 16th ride.
Mike Tyler
cycling advocate
Georgetown
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