By John Tackett

July 21, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

I have been commuting by bike for over 3 years now and have had 2 accidents. In fact my commute and weight loss was featured in an AJC article in May (written by Helena Oliveria.) My most recent accident was this past Friday at the intersection of 17th St and Spring St. leaving the Atlantic station area. I suffered a cut on the left knee requiring stitches, a black left eye from where my glasses were pushed into my face, assorted scraps and bruises and over $600 worth of damage to my bike. I am a seasoned cyclists and triathlete riding about 60+ miles a week. I obey all the rules of the road, have taken a safe cycling class through the Atlanta Bike Campaign, and try to be aware of the drivers and others around me. I am also featured in the recent “Share the Road” campaign by the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign featuring billboards on the back of MARTA buses. However in the case of the accident on Friday; it was poor planning of a bike lane that caused the issue. The bike lane from Atlantic Station. It actually goes between 2 right turn lanes onto Spring street. So in other word,, If I am going straight on 17th St towards West Peachtree on the bike lane, I have to worry about the lane to my left making a legal right hand turn. How stupid is that. That is why I had an accident.. I was in my bike lane going straight, but the driver in the lane to my left made a legal right turn lane and did not see me. What makes it worse is that I was cited as well for failure to maintain my lane, because the officer did not want to decide who was at fault. So off to court we go to figure out this one out. While one can say the it is the inexperience of both drivers and cyclists that can cause accidents it is, in my opinion, the fault of city leaders for failure to devise and enforce a transportation plan that takes into consideration all forms of transportation, including walking. These same city leaders allow streets to be changed (as the case of the 17th street bridge in which there was only 1 original right turn lane, as visible on Google maps, but now has a second turn lane) and the removal of bike lanes (as in the case of Lindbergh Ave, East Wesley, and Peachtree Hills Rd.) for the benefit of motorist, but not considering how it affects those on bicycles or on foot. It is good to see articles that makes us all aware of the dangers of cycling in the hopes that it increases awareness of the interaction of both. Cyclist and motorists. Perhaps you can do an article on bad bicycling roads and intersections. I am sure that the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign can give you a long list.

By Frank Jewell

July 22, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

I have commuted by by for over 30 years now, 10 here in the altanta area. By far this area is the worst that I have encounter and although my commute is safer than most. I feel for those that are trying commuting for the first time in this city.

I find it reckless that the AJC would allow line like “recreational bikers are often sent onto surface streets that were not meant for them.” Unfortunately is shows the pervasive attitude of the general public here in the US in regard to cycling. Plainly put any surface street in the city can be use for cycling, granted there are many surface streets that cyclist should avoid, but with out a good bike/ped plan, with marked bike routes what is a novice to do? As a general rule we all need to be more aware of bicycles, runners and pedestrians. Let’s rid our city of the “get out my way or I will run over you attitude.”

By Mike Schatz

August 20, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

My elbows still hurt.