The never-ending quest for cyclist and motorist harmony seems to have been disrupted Saturday, June 8, during a well-known cycling event in which cyclists rode through several Eastside communities.
At the event known as Flying Wheels, cyclists can ride up to 100 miles from Redmond to Carnation to Fall City to Issaquah to Monroe and Snohomish and back to Redmond. It is not new and is touted as the largest century-ride in the state. On the event organizer's Cascade Bicycle Club website, it clearly states that riders should:
- Leave a good impression with the communities we ride though -- Share the road with cars and follow ALL traffic laws (stop at STOP signs).
- Ride single file along narrow stretches. Single file is always safer!
- Be aware of traffic; none of the routes are closed to vehicle traffic.
Tim Abney commented: Jodee Schwinn the Duvall City Clerk is taking emails and will be forwarding them to organizers and county execs to voice the concerns of residents over this kind of problem that frankly has no place in our communities.
Linda Jordan wrote: and... reason returns to the Valley. It's madness to have hordes (yep, hordes) of bikes on our *very narrow* country roads. It puts all of us in danger. I would hate to make the choice of driving into oncoming traffic vs. hitting a bicyclist. The roads provide enough clearance for the cars. How are these organized rides even legal? Is there a permitting process? If so, where is the money going? Kathy Lambert?
Other comments run the gamut of hiring vicious attack lawyers to the fact that we shouldn't let a few bad apples spoil the bunch. Of course, no one seems to know for sure what the rider intended when he gave a middle finger statement to an event photographer, but some say it was a joke and photographers knew he was going to do it ahead of time.
Woodinville Bicycle shed some light on it this morning and gave their 2 cents with this post on Facebook:
There are a lot of angry people in the Carnation and Duvall areas upset with Cyclist's [sic] after Flying Wheels. We seem to be at an interesting crossroads. While sitting on Inglewood Hill Saturday. I was surprised to hear so many honk's [sic] and obviously upset drivers. I can appreciate the inconvienence but it is literally 10 seconds to a couple minutes. I know we have become a quick serve, instant gratification culture but I think it is safe to say that we all need to relax on both ends of the spectrum. That said there was a mother and a carload of girls yelling out their windows "come on" "you can do it" "don't quit" "you're almost there" It really made my day and it speaks highly of the community and the parents slowing down for a minute and "getting it"
What do you think? Were you in traffic during the Flying Wheels event? What have you experienced on area roads with cyclists? Tell us in comments.
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