NOTE: We got this letter in earlier today and thought it was appropriate with all of the talk about transportation. Daniel Tenpas reminds us that we need to be aware of what’s around us.
So, I’m riding my bike to the grocery store down Crestwood Blvd. As I was turning left onto Oporto Way behind 2 cars-the driver of the car in front of me makes eye contact with me in her rearview mirror-then promptly slams on her brakes. And I promptly ran into her passenger side rear fender-with my body and my bike. I go over the handle bars, slide on my back in the middle of the intersection of Crestwood Blvd. and Oporto Madrid. I’m a little shocked as she drives away. Thankfully, the car behind me stopped, waited for me to get up and leave the busy intersection and to make sure I was okay. I was then asked by two other drivers who witnessed the accident if I was okay. Which, I am-barring a couple of scrapes, strains and bruises.
Aside from the fact that the driver in front of me left the scene of an accident-I would just like your readers to be conscious of cyclists on the road. I am a son, a brother and a husband and I don’t want to lose my life in this city or any other because of reckless and careless drivers. Traffic law warrants that cyclists ride on the road (not the sidewalk.) Because of our state’s lack of bike lanes, drivers should use due diligence and share the road. Life is too important and too short. Can we have some respect for our fellow citizens?
BTW – you have a letter or an editorial you want to share? Send it into info@bhamterminal.com.
John Morse on 
Amanda on 
Ike on 
jim on 
Janet on 
I agree with the original poster. I too bike to work downtown and I think most motorists don’t know that cyclists have the same rights of the road that they do.
Yeah two of my homies have had near death experiences. One guy I ride with got a raw deal from a motorist as well as a cracked pelvis.
thanks for posting!
birmingham simply doesn’t have the biking infrastructure needed in place to ensure public safety. cyclists share the responsibility with motorists to be respectful of traffic laws and to be respectful of each other on the road. the public must let our elected officials know that we support an infrastructure to encourage safe commuting by bicycle. also, a public awareness campaign regarding bike safety and traffic law would be helpful for both motorists and cyclists.
I’d also like to remind cyclists that you should make sure you’ve got good lighting if you’re riding at night. Fyi, I use ‘BikePlanet’ headlights and tail lights, and they work great for me! Also, I’ve found that if I ride as if I were an automobile, other motors take better note of me and I have fewer problems.
Wondering if a ‘Critical Mass’ kinda thing would work …