It's on days like today, another beautiful cool day, that I realize why I have lived here for over 20 years. If only it would last.

The life of a volunteer trail coordinator - Spent lots of time on trail issues today: VDOT, the Virginia transportation department, closed a major trail so they could do some bridge repair. There were no detours and only one sign, ROAD CLOSED. It's at a critical location where there are few alternatives. Made phone calls and sent email but doubt that much will change.

A few days ago an older man, riding a bike on the W&OD Trail, was hit by a car while in a crosswalk. The investigating police officer said it was the cyclist's fault: "It's always the fault of the bicyclist when there is an accident." said the officer, not once but twice. There were witnesses who said the motorist was speeding but the officer had seen all he needed to see and didn't take their statements. It's the second time a cyclist has been hit at this crosswalk, in almost exactly the same place. It's at the bottom of a hill, and nearly everyone is speeding at the crosswalk. The officer said the motorist was going 30 in a 35 mph zone, despite the 35 feet of skid marks. It's time to take to the streets...

Later rode 20 miles round trip to attend a trail meeting. Another developer is trying to avoid building a needed trail by filing a trail waiver. Now we have to document why he needs to build it. Almost got hit by a bus that pulled out in front of me on the ride home. That was just before the woman turned in front of me while I was trying to make a left turn.
posted by Bruce Wright at 8:12 PM #