Enforce rules of the road to promote safety

The death of a cyclist on Route 1 outside Rehoboth Beach brings into focus the dangers cyclists face riding on a busy divided highway.

There's no question that cyclists are here, and they have the right to ride on Route 1.

The cyclist who was killed, Russ Henman, was riding responsibly, with lights on the front and back of his bike.

He was riding in the proper direction and was obeying traffic signs.

Unlike Henman, many who ride on Route 1 appear to court danger: their bicycles have no lights; they wear no helmets, and their clothing is dark and unreflective. Perhaps most dangerous of all, cyclists too often ride against traffic – extremely dangerous on divided Route 1 because motorists are not anticipating traffic from the right.

Active police enforcement of the rules of the road – for motorists and cyclists – is critical to raising awareness of these dangers.

The City of Rehoboth Beach has taken the initiative to recognize the danger of riding on busy Rehoboth Avenue. New street signs and painted share-the-road “sharrows” direct cyclists off the avenue and onto quieter streets. City officials have also developed an attractive new map to help cyclists find safe routes and new bicycle parking stations.

These are inexpensive, practical steps that help everyone share the roads.

State officials should take inspiration: Mark bike pathways on Route 1 with fluorescent paint, especially at intersections, so turning traffic is alert to cyclists riding straight through the intersection. Develop preferred routes to direct cyclists away from the most dangerous intersections.

Bicycles are here. Health and environmental concerns are likely to inspire more people to ride the roads year round.

Route 1 will never be a good place to ride, but people who ride by necessity are going to use it.

Safety for everyone requires actively enforcing the rules of the road while also implementing proactive measures to promote cycling safety.