To the Editor:

My wife and I are avid recreational bicyclists, having ridden for 30 and 15 years respectively. You may frequently see us and our friends out cycling the roads of Swain and Jackson County. I am a 69-year-old male and she is a beautiful 58-year-old as well as a 5-year survivor of stage 4 renal cell cancer. She is a “cheerful warrior” with many friends and loved ones in the community, all of whom want her to live a long(er) life. I do not say this for pity or admiration but just so all will realize those folks in helmets and colorful clothes are people of your community just like you. We are not some hostile interlopers trying to inconvenience you or take over your roads. We cycle for our health and happiness. We also drive cars to conduct our lives and business.

I write today to request that we all conduct ourselves legally and courteously on our roads. I have cycled for 30 years and there have always been a few motorists that will curse at us, occasionally throw things, drive too closely and generally drive in an antisocial manner. In this increasingly angry nation of ours, I have faced several incidents in the last week. Most ominously, an elderly man stopped to insist that we were in a risky sport (we know) and insist that it is illegal to ride on state roads (it is not). He became increasingly angry as we disagreed. Particularly when we pointed out that he had a young boy in his lap with no seat belt. We extricated ourselves from a no-win situation.

A few things for motorists to remember:

• Bicycles are perfectly legal on state roads and have all the rights and responsibilities of automobile. 
• Bicycles are entitled to the entire lane. However, if you do pass in a no passing zone, state law requires that you give the cyclist four feet of space and have enough line-of-sight to pass safely. Most cyclists will move to one side of the road to allow you to pass, but please be cautious.
• Please be patient. We know you’re behind us. Have you ever really been stuck behind a bicycler more than a minute or two?
• Cyclists can occasionally make unpredictable moves due to road hazards that you might not notice in a car. Did you know that railroad tracks are a particular hazard for cyclists? My tires are one inch wide. I try to adjust my route to cross tracks perpendicularly to avoid cracks and the resulting crashes.
• I know that some cyclists are foolish, violate rules, are unpredictable, etc., just like motorists. In fact, they may be the same people.
• Think you’re a safe driver? Try the other side of the coin ... stand by the side of the road and have a car pass within two to three feet of you at 30 to 40 mph. 

A few things for cyclists to remember:

• It may be legal, but laws can change. Act responsibly and courteously.
• If no other option is available, move aside and let motorists pass. Does it really take more than a moment or two? Certainly relieves my stress.
• Try to be predictable and use hand signals. 
• Remember who is most at risk and don’t respond to provocation. Being right is great, being in the hospital is not.

Folks, we know bicycling can be a risky sport. But so is football, kayaking, hiking and many others. Over the years, I have had several friends and acquaintances killed and injured. In a car/bicycle crash, the cyclist may be the biggest loser, but the motorist has to live with the consequences.

Rick Hane

Bryson City