Pinthouse Pizza
Giving Up on Bicycling So as Not to Be Killed
RECEIVED Tue., June 13, 2006
Dear Editor,
Amy Babich's letter last week is quite timely [“Postmarks,” June 9], and should be read with the gravity it deserves. A close acquaintance of mine was recently hit by a driver while cycling as well, breaking both of his legs. The driver drove on, without stopping. Half an hour later this individual called the police to inform them that someone had "thrown a body" at their car. The cyclist who was killed on Sixth last year moved within my circle of friends as well.
I, myself, was involved in a bicycle/car accident last week, destroying my bike in the process. I was lucky to have not been seriously injured. That driver, as well, did not stop to offer assistance.
The lethal combination of poor bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure and poorly trained, careless drivers has made Austin a quite hostile environment for those of us who bicycle or walk for pleasure or necessity. Our lackluster bus system is woefully downtown-centric, and those who neither reside or commute to our city's center are left with few options, save cabs, long walks in blistering heat and rain, and cycling.
So that's it. I give up. I take back what I have said in these pages previously about cycling as a viable means of transportation. I'm taking what little money I have and buying the cheapest auto I can find, simply so I will not be murdered by a careless driver on my daily commute. I spent three years trying to tell myself that Austin was a sophisticated, forward-thinking metropolitan area in which one did not need a vehicle for everyday use. I was wrong. Any individual who rides a bike or walks as their primary means of transportation treads a fine, dangerous line in this city and will find that there are few sympathetic ears with the power to help.
Perhaps one day I can move to a more forward-thinking city and not fear for my life on a bicycle every morning. Perhaps Austin's city government will one day invest in the infrastructure to protect and foster bicycle transportationalists. I, for one, cannot wait that long.
Amy Babich's letter last week is quite timely [“Postmarks,” June 9], and should be read with the gravity it deserves. A close acquaintance of mine was recently hit by a driver while cycling as well, breaking both of his legs. The driver drove on, without stopping. Half an hour later this individual called the police to inform them that someone had "thrown a body" at their car. The cyclist who was killed on Sixth last year moved within my circle of friends as well.
I, myself, was involved in a bicycle/car accident last week, destroying my bike in the process. I was lucky to have not been seriously injured. That driver, as well, did not stop to offer assistance.
The lethal combination of poor bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure and poorly trained, careless drivers has made Austin a quite hostile environment for those of us who bicycle or walk for pleasure or necessity. Our lackluster bus system is woefully downtown-centric, and those who neither reside or commute to our city's center are left with few options, save cabs, long walks in blistering heat and rain, and cycling.
So that's it. I give up. I take back what I have said in these pages previously about cycling as a viable means of transportation. I'm taking what little money I have and buying the cheapest auto I can find, simply so I will not be murdered by a careless driver on my daily commute. I spent three years trying to tell myself that Austin was a sophisticated, forward-thinking metropolitan area in which one did not need a vehicle for everyday use. I was wrong. Any individual who rides a bike or walks as their primary means of transportation treads a fine, dangerous line in this city and will find that there are few sympathetic ears with the power to help.
Perhaps one day I can move to a more forward-thinking city and not fear for my life on a bicycle every morning. Perhaps Austin's city government will one day invest in the infrastructure to protect and foster bicycle transportationalists. I, for one, cannot wait that long.
Regretfully yours,
Mike "Dub" Wainwright
Mike "Dub" Wainwright