Letter: Make them use bike paths

This letter is in response to the July 25 letter on bicyclists. Overall, I am happy to hear of the great safety record and our gold level standing. With the large number of cyclists, our safety record is quite a tribute to our community. However, I do feel there was an important point missed by the author.

There are a growing number of cyclists who use the road instead of the wonderful bike paths that have been constructed throughout Hilton Head Island. I find this situation to be a tremendous safety issue, especially on William Hilton Parkway. On many occasions, I have witnessed or been involved with motor vehicles veering into the middle lane to avoid cyclists taking up the side lane. It is a shame that this issue was not mentioned in the letter. Cyclists who refuse to use the bike paths are endangering the lives of everyone. As well, cyclists who ignore the stop signs at crosswalks also endanger lives.

With the cost that the community has incurred to promote safety with bike paths, I feel that cyclists should be required to avoid riding in the roadway, and especially on U.S. 278, unless there is no bike path in the immediate area. Safety is not only the responsibility of those driving the motor vehicles, but also the responsibility of the cyclist.

This story was originally published July 28, 2016 at 3:44 PM with the headline "Letter: Make them use bike paths."