The last two weekends in our area were marred by the deaths of cyclists who were hit by motor vehicles. This should make all of us more alert for cyclists, with whom we must safely share the road. For their part, cyclists should be more cautious as well.
In the latest accident, Albert Arnott, 59, of Phoenix was struck from behind last Saturday while riding a recumbent tricycle on U.S. 601 north of Mocksville. Arnott, who was on his way home from a cross-country ride, died at the scene. The man driving the truck that hit him, 30-year-old Justin Mark Keaton of Mocksville, told the N.C. Highway Patrol that he did not see Arnott, the Journal's Lisa O'Donnell reported. Keaton faces a charge of a misdemeanor death by vehicle, said Sgt. Eric Hoffman of the patrol.
Recumbent bikes allow riders to sit in a reclined position with their pedals out in front of them. Some people say they're hard to see. But others say they're often more visible than other types of bikes because of their width.
The other cycling fatality occurred on July 23. A car driven by Linda Sink, 51, of King hit cyclist Donald Sunday, 62, on Trinity Church Road in King. Sink faces charges of misdemeanor death by vehicle and failure to reduce speed.
Many drivers resent having to share the road with cyclists, but that's what the law requires. Cyclists should be treated with respect and courtesy. For their part, cyclists should take precautions, such as wearing safety gear and highly-visible clothes, and traveling single-file when riding in a group. With a combined effort, there's no reason motorists and cyclists can't coexist safely.
The motorist has the bigger responsibility, of course, if not for the obvious reason of size and speed, then for the fact that the cyclist over the hill may be someone's child.
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