Hard of hearing, steering clear of bike trails
The Times reported an 83-year-old Renton woman died after being hit by a bicyclist on the Cedar River Trail [“Woman, 83, dies after bike hits her,” NWTuesday, April 20].
I am surprised this does not happen more often. Most bicyclists do not realize that older folks often lose their hearing in one or both ears. When bikers yell “on your left,” it may not be heard or understood. Partial deafness could distort directional sound.
This elderly woman could have thought she was moving out of the way instead of into the path of the bikers. I am 78 and also hard of hearing; I had to quit using the Burke-Gilman Trail and the Sammamish Valley Trail because I feel it is too dangerous, as most bikers ride at high speeds. They are upon me, just as I hear them coming. I had several close calls before I decided that bikes and walkers do not mix.
— Wendy Walsh, Woodinville
Like cyclists, pedestrians should get passing clearance
The bike bullies are getting away with killing pedestrians [“Cyclist not faulted for fatal accident,” NWWednesday, April 21].
They relentlessly promote a 3-foot passing clearance for motorists to pass them — despite the requirement of drivers, which includes bicyclists, to maintain a straight line of travel on our roads. They want this so bicyclists could swerve about to avoid potholes, or even fall and not get hit by a car.
But on the trails, a pedestrian may not “step” into the path of a bicyclist without the punishment of death. What is normal pedestrian behavior where dogs, children and elderly pedestrians walk and do not drive? It is completely normal for them to “step” around.
The fact that the bike bullies demand special treatment for themselves on the roads so they do not have to follow the rules, then demand that pedestrians be held to the standard on trails that the bike bullies refuse to follow on the roads is just outrageous.
Let them civilize themselves and learn to pass safely. If you run into and kill an 83-year-old lady on the trail, then you know you passed too closely and too quickly. Require them to pass at a pedestrian pace on our pedestrian facilities and with sufficient clearance — how about the 3 feet they are demanding for themselves on the streets?
— David Smith, Seattle
On your left: Did cyclists give proper warning to elderly woman?
I too cycle and am also an avid walker, and I asked myself these questions. Did the cyclists notify her either by loud voice or shrill bell to let her know they were passing? How fast were they going and why were both passing at the same time?
My experience of late is that most of the time, cyclists do not notify me of their approach when I am on my bike, as well as when I am walking. I no longer walk the Burke-Gilman Trail because of the speed of many of those cyclists.
More people are biking now and I see that many of them need instruction in sharing the road with walkers, cars and other cyclists. Am I wrong to think the pedestrian always has the right of way, or is it only with cars?
— Mary Beth MacCauley, Vashon
While on wheels, keep a watchful eye
Although the cyclist was not charged or ticketed, the accident could likely have been avoided by using courtesy and common sense.
If someone is on the bike path ahead of you, slow down significantly as you approach. Pass in single file if there is more than one cyclist, call out loudly how many bicycles will be passing on the left and give the pedestrian as wide a berth as possible.
If the person is elderly or a child, slow down to a crawl. The elderly could be hard of hearing, get startled and lose their balance; they could become confused as to which side you are passing on and step into your path, as did the woman in this accident.
If you are riding slowly, you will have time to stop. Children are impulsive and unpredictable, teens and young adults may not hear you if they listening to music, talking on a cellphone, or texting, and a person of any age could be deaf.
Lastly, expect the other party to do the unexpected, whether he or she is walking, bicycling or driving a car. My children are alive today because I did not trust a fast-moving car to stop at a stop sign; the driver sped through without so much as a tap on its brakes.
— Janalee Roy, Tacoma
Make some noise for bike bells
I am 83 years old and often walk the Cedar River Trail with my husband, who is 85 and does not hear well. I have been very concerned for some years that one of us would suffer the same consequences as the 83-year-old woman who died after a bike hit her.
Bikes make very little noise on some surfaces and some bikers fail to call out that they are coming up on you. One little stumble or misstep by a walker and injuries could occur.
I did recreational biking in Switzerland and was required to have a license and a bell for my bike. For years now, I have felt a bell or horn would be a great advantage to both biker and hiker. Only once has a biker had a bell he used. I hope the biking community considers the suggestion for a bell for the safety of us all.
— Betty Culbert, Maple Valley