[Grovenet] Biking in Forest Grove

[Dale Wiley]

Why don't you take a trip down HWY 7 see exactly where they were riding.
They were riding in a very narrow shoulder lane on the south side of HWY 47,
never mind the bike path on the other side.

This shoulder lane is less than 24 inches wide sine they re configured the
highway for left hand refuge turn lanes at Anderson Rd, due to the mutilple
fatalities in vehicle accidents in that stretch in the last 20 years. They
are also STORM DRAINS in this 24 inch lane, and bike riders OFTEN move into
the lane of traffic to avoid the dangerous grate. I have seen  this HUNDREDS
of times along this entire stretch. I have no doubt there was some type of
movement by the bike riders. Even on a light traffic day, to me it makes no
sense to risk riding in such a dangerous stretch of shoulder lane.

Not excusing the actions of the bike riders or vehicle driver, just that is
is proven that there is always a sequence of events that leads up to a
castrophic result.

And you last 2 parargraphs  bring up a point that any one who has been to
DMV and seen elderly / questionable drivers receive renewals with mininmum
testing. I know, they gave my mother a license renewal 12 years ago, when
they had no business doing it. I FORCED her to stop driving a few months
later...boy was I an SOB then...:)

-----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com]On
Behalf Of Marguerite Storbo
Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 8:26 PM
To: 'Forest Grove local interests list'
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] Biking in Forest Grove


The investigation of the driver that killed the McDaniels found she did not
have any drugs or alcohol in her system at the time, and did not have a cell
phone with her. Kind of makes me wonder what in the hell exactly it was she
was doing instead of driving that day.

It is not just pedestrians and bicyclists that are at higher risk because of
bad driving, we motorcyclists suffer a higher risk too.  But the talk always
turns to speed and road conditions. Some people should not drive at all,
anything, any time, as they are unsafe at any speed. But very seldom does
anyone discuss the need to improve the basic level of driving skill.

That, in my opinion, is the only thing that will change the statistics. But
it will never happen, because driving is a right, isn't it? No matter how
badly you do it, you still have a right to be out there.

Marguerite



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