Orange County and its towns have witnessed tragedies and more than a little controversy concerning bicycle and automobile relations.

To me, this doesn’t seem like a hard issue to solve save for the fact that many of Orange County’s loveliest roads have inadequate shoulders.  That is the big point.  We, motorists and bicyclists, have to share some narrow old roadways.  Bike riders have every reason to expect to be able to ride on the public roads without their lives being endangered or to have insults and threats hurled at them.  Motorists have every reason to expect bicyclists to observe the rules of the road.

Motorists need to wait until they can pass bikes safely.  I’ve waited many times and have never been late because of it.  Bike riders need to remember that sharing the road is a two-way street.  Solving the problem just requires mutual respect.  This isn’t just the law.  It’s common sense and good manners.

 

— Art Menius

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