Brazos Valley Cyclists

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Cyclist Petition for Equal Treatment

We, the Cyclists….  In memory of Ken Spence, in honor of Deb Barton, and the many others who have been the victims of distracted drivers.  The letter and petition is to the local DA Mr Parsons, it starts with….

"Dear Mr. Parsons,
We write you concerning the recent death of our friend and fellow cyclist, Mr. Kenneth Spence.
As you may be aware, Mr. Spence was killed while riding his bicycle on the northbound access
road of Highway 6 in College Station. His death occurred on January 3, 2019.

…..

31 signers at 5pm!

Deb is taking signatures until she turns the petition in on Tuesday morning.  Call her if you want to sign 979.703.4370

 

The loss of fellow cyclist Kenneth Spence -with the follow up article in the B/CS Eagle.

The Incident

(I will not call it an accident at this time):

https://www.theeagle.com/news/local/authorities-college-station-man-on-bicycle-fatally-struck-by-vehicle/article_e2ef5340-1071-11e9-b01a-530c352d572e.html

Reaction

https://www.theeagle.com/news/local/recent-death-highlights-safety-concerns-for-local-cyclists/article_a20e2fdb-a34a-578f-aa15-7f23a3f2c92b.html

 

 

Veloway

The idea, I have for the velo way, is for it to circle the outer perimeter of park approximately 2 miles. It would have to be 12 foot wide, with a asphalt surface (cement cracks) with a white line painted down the middle to split the slower cyclist from the faster cyclist with everyone going clock wise. At any of the intersection with cars, the velo way would have to be raised at least 6 inches so to create a speed bump for the cars that travel through the intersection plus a stop sign giving the cyclist the right of way.

Before the intersection, designing a curve in the velo way to naturally slow down the cyclist would also help. Any pedestrian traffic would have to yield to the cyclist also. With the park having only one egress and one entrance, I don’t think this idea should be much of a problem.

The velo way will be for cyclist only and or maybe in line skaters but no pedestrians, no skate boards or any kind of motorized vehicle. Cyclist traveling at plus 25 miles an hour can not be playing dodge the people walking at 2 miles an hour.

I know this sounds like a dream but I think it is a good place to start. One of the important points is trying to make velo way as close to 2 miles as possible, smaller loops are much more monotonous becoming more of a criterion course with too many sharp turns in it.

Robert VAN BRUNT