Wednesday,September 10, 2003

Time to provide for those who bike, walk

Two and a half years ago my family moved to Peachtree City after 10 years of residence in Henry County. The reason for the move was the traffic had gotten so bad we could no longer leave our small subdivision by bicycle, let alone by foot.

Sure, Henry County, just as Fayette County, talked about providing safe facilities for bicycling and walking. But it was always just talk to satisfy the "biking advocates." You know, those weird people who wear those funny tight shorts, the brightly colored jerseys and ride bikes with those skinny tubes.

While Peachtree City is not perfect, I can at least get to the places I need to on relatively safe facilities by bicycle or by foot or golf cart for that matter. For this reason I gave up the car. But soon after our move to Peachtree City I needed to go to Fayetteville for a dental appointment. I am physically capable of riding my bike that far, although the way there is not physically suited for bicycle travel.

Ga. Highway 54, especially at 8:30 on a weekday morning, is not the place to be on a bicycle. It could be an acceptable route if those nice wide shoulders did not have those teeth jarring rumble strips running nearly the entire length from PTC to Fayetteville. Hey, you know, if the shoulders were rumble free it's a no cost, free, bike way. As for Redwine Road, my route back home was not much better. The considered multiuse path for Redwine would definitely make my ride as well as the motorists trying to share that narrow road with a bicyclist much happier and safer.

I ride my bicycle nearly everywhere I go in Peachtree City. I've made adjustments in my life so that I can because it's that important to me for my overall health and well-being and because I can. It's a real shame that our government officials don't understand that there are people unlike themselves that understand the importance of alternative modes of travel.

How come those of us that have chosen or must use an alternative to car travel are always relegated to the ditches along with the trash? Is that how you see us: No better than the cigarette butts and fast food wrappers thrown out by the motoring public? Yeah, yeah, I hear you: Quit complaining and get a car. Tell that to the elementary school student who now has to walk to school.

Barbara Corley

Peachtree City, Ga.