A matter of safety

I felt compelled to write this letter in regard to the bicycle lanes created on Maple Avenue.

I have wondered at the wisdom of our city planners in making such a decision.

I personally drive Maple all the time and would fear for my life on a bicycle from my home near Permian High School to Eighth Street.
I realize this is all about $4-a-gallon gas and a cheaper way to commute.

My question to all is: Is it safe? I'm not sure.

I am also curious as to how expensive it was to buy the paint and use equipment to mark the lanes.

I have yet to see a cyclist riding to work on such a busy street (and just wait until school starts if you think it's busy now).

I have lived here all of my adult life and have traveled this street to the downtown area. There have been numerous accidents on the curved part of Maple beginning near Colonial Drive to 31st Street.

Did city planners not see the barriers in yards around that area?

I also wonder how many Odessans know the laws concerning bicycle lanes. I think maybe somebody should give the vast majority a lesson before school starts.

There are three school zones on Maple with lots of traffic and cars parked everywhere.

I did notice the OA ran a story about the assistant director of parks and recreation, his family and their love of cycling. I presume it was to prepare us for the addition of the lanes in our commute to work. Don't get me wrong. I think cycling is a great form of exercise and I love it!

My husband and our family used to ride all over Odessa on our bikes, but we usually traveled the streets with the least traffic.

We have even taken bikes to Colorado and have ridden on trails and roads. (This was many years ago when I my knees were in better shape.) However, I am "older and wiser" now and I prefer to use a stationary bike. It's safer, considering some of the drivers we have on our streets.

I can see it all now - the tempers, the hand gestures and the ignorance of the law concerning bike lanes.

Just my opinion!

Linda Harrison
Odessa