To the editor,

As more local commuters try to beat high gas prices by pedaling
we face chaos unless those new bicyclists practice what they
learned to pass their drivers license exam.

All bike education programs agree that the same rules of the road
apply to bicyclists and guide you to the SAFEST way to commute by
bike.  

Cache Valley motorists are very cooperative, maybe exceptionally
so, with transportation cyclists who ride "visibly, predictably
and legally" on the right side of the roadway.

Cyclists can cooperate with other travelers on our wide roads by
following the traffic principles that we all rely on for smooth,
efficient traffic flow:

1) Travel on the right side of the road, never on the left side
and never on roadside sidewalks.

2) Yield to crossing traffic on "bigger" roads, where signs,
signals and laws define the road with priority.

3) Yield when changing lanes, to nearby traffic already in the
other lane.

4) On approach to an intersection move left (after yielding as
necessary) before turning left, move right before turning right,
stay in between to continue straight.

5) After intersections, slower traffic keeps right; overtaking
traffic keeps left (except when overtaking left turners).

Cycling scofflaw behavior, just like motoring scofflaw behavior,
increases everyone's risk and reduces the predictability that we
all rely on to safely arrive at our destinations, whether we are
burning expensive fuel or not.

New transportation cyclists are exposing themselves to one great
risk.  Some small portion of them may become addicted to the
activity.   They may dread returning to their car when winter
comes.  They may devise ways to continue riding through the
winter, with layered clothing, studded tires, and a new
headlight.

This risk of addiction is a tradeoff as you consider the fuel
savings and health benefits of increasing your physical activity
as a visible, predictable and legal transportation cyclist..


Bob Bayn
North Logan
752-8386(h)
797-2396(w)