Warns bicyclists to ride more safely

LETTERS - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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From time to time The Bellingham Herald publishes letters asking motorists to be considerate of cyclists. I try to accommodate, but responsibility for safety is a two-way street. On two separate occasions at almost the same place I have nearly been run down in my vehicle by a cyclist who was flagrantly violating both the law and common sense. Both events occurred near the Holly Street/State Street intersection.

On the first occasion a cyclist coming down Holly ran a red light at almost 20 mph. If I had been slightly faster getting into the intersection there would have been serious damage done to the cyclist.

Some weeks later I was turning in to the alley between Holly and Railroad Avenue. I began signaling my turn just after the State Street intersection. As I turned into the alley a cyclist slammed into my rear view mirror on the right-hand (curb) side. He had been passing me on the right in the right hand lane. If I had been slightly further into my turn or moving slightly faster serious damage would have resulted.