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Tuesday, March 19, 2024
March 19, 2024

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Letter: Sidewalk option if riding in county

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I appreciate the informative June 12 story “Safe cycling: Bike Clark County volunteers want kids to be skilled, secure on 2 wheels.” As a 73-year-old biker since age 8, and in no sense “competitive” on my two-wheeler, I am aware of one additional “safer biking” option.

Bikers in Clark County (kids and grown-ups alike), outside the city limits of Vancouver, are allowed to ride on the sidewalks. On a substantial number of roads in the county, where there are sidewalks in place, it is often much safer to ride on the sidewalks. The sidewalks are often wider than bike lanes and usually free from the debris that routinely accumulates in the bike lanes.

Of course, a bike rider would defer to any pedestrians. I would add that it’s not just bike riders who are ignorant of this alternative, and often safer, path for riding. When I have been on the sidewalk and stopped early on to let a pedestrian pass safely, I have more than once been lectured/scolded that bikes are “not allowed” on the sidewalk. I sometimes gently suggest that the walker is mistaken about county regulations but when this seems inadvisable, I smile and proceed on my ride.

Unlike in the city of Vancouver, and as absurd as it is, there is no requirement that a bike rider wear a helmet on county roads. Clark County leaders should propose/pass a biking helmets required ordinance.

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