Many Sun City residents are seeking respite from their quarantine by taking walks, jogging, or riding bikes. But concerns are being raised that roads are not safe for those activities.
John Zeller, a co-founder of Walkers and Bikers for a Safer Community, said, “On a day late in July that a group of us were biking, there was a terrible accident involving a cycler and an SUV. I received a call from a member of the CyclePaths Club who saw the remains of the accident.”
In late July of 2020, a cyclist was hit by an SUV at the intersection of Dakota Fields and Countryview Blvc. in Sun City, a known low-visibility area. The accident resulted in severe injuries to the cyclist and prompted Cycle Paths members to form a group devoted to cycling and walking safety. (Photo by Christine Such/Sun Day)
The biker was wearing a helmet, but it had been crushed. It was broken into seven pieces and the bicycle was mangled.
The rider was riding on Country View Road nearing Dakota Fields. He was hit in the rear by an SUV. The sightlines are tricky at that intersection. His injuries were extensive. The rehabilitation was long.”
Nancy Glissman, also a co-founder of Walkers and Bikers for a Safer Community, said, “That incident made us realize that we needed to do something. I talked to John and as the outgoing president of CyclePaths we felt we could discuss and make some changes that would not only be safe for cyclers but joggers and pedestrians.”
The three Sun City residents, Zeller, Glissman, and Paxton Knopsnyder, brainstormed and introduced the community to WALKERS & BIKERS FOR A SAFER COMMUNITY. They had their first meeting on December 9 with 13 residents participating. The group has grown to 25 now and the second meeting took place on January 13, 2021.
Keller stated, “I am the outgoing president of CyclePaths Bicycle Club here in Sun City. Even before this most recent accident, I have been concerned about bicycle safety here in SC. With the advent of COVID-19, many more bicyclists have taken to the streets and sidewalks here. I’ve observed many violations of the bicycle rules of the road first hand. I’ve had my share of issues with drivers’ lack of attention to the cyclist and the rules of the road as they pertain to bikers. Signs and designated lanes would be a big help but not the sole solution.”
The brainstorming at the first meeting resulted in five clear areas of concentration.
The group has some points they want to highlight.
Keller said, “The first area we want to address is education.
Everyone needs to understand the rules and laws that pertain to bikers and pedestrians. A lot of people don’t know the laws. For example, they don’t stop for pedestrians at marked crosswalks.”
The second area identified by residents is “awareness.” Residents need to make themselves visible. Wearing dark clothes make it impossible for drivers to see them until the last minute.
“The third is the signage. Our entries warn visitors that they are entering a golf cart community. But we are an active adult community. We have walkers, joggers, cyclers. We need more stop signs at dangerous intersections and certainly at marked crosswalks. The drivers are speeding through the community on our main streets,” Keller said.
Knopsnyder added, “The fourth area is lines and lanes. We need to have lanes marked clearly, we need center lanes and a line indicating bike lanes.”
Other problems occur with the layout of the road.
Glissman said, “We have no shoulders on the road, there is nowhere to go. Lines would help slow drivers down.
Knopsnyder added, “I have started conversations with the Village about adding those lines, but monies are a concern and their indication was we would have to wait until the roads are resurfaced and that it could be added to the budget at that time.”
The last focus is critical: traffic control.
Keller said, “People are just driving too fast. I get passed all the time. The cars come from 47 at a high speed and don’t slow down to 35.”
Controlling speed doesn’t mean creeping along. It means designing so that the street encourages us to drive at a safe and steady speed.
Knopsnyder said, “Narrower lanes, and marked lines or separated bicycle lanes; all of these work together to encourage us to drive at a safer speed.”
If you are willing to help support an effort to make cycling safer in Sun City please contact John Zeller at jczeller23@gmail.com.
