Leaves in the bike lane (Letter to the editor)

[Seager]

I was miffed by the Register-Guard's glancing over of the bike lane
issue in their leaf article:

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/22291019-41/story.csp

- Even though KVAL and KEZI both had decent articles:
http://www.kval.com/news/67038822.html and http://kezi.com/news/local/147325

And, if Fox Hollow is any indication, the word simply isn't getting
out. It's going to take a lot of educating to retrain the offenders.
So - I wrote a letter the Eugene Weekly and Register-Guard.

You can read it here:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dddd8n6s_42d3cq4cdn

I think that lots of us should write polite letters to the editor.
Nothing that will fan the flames of bikes vs cars - but letters which
explain that clear lanes are good for everyone. With luck maybe a few
will actually get printed if they think it's important.

Also, I urge you all to spread the word in other ways. The city has
made a flier which I uploaded to http://www.greymatterjugglers.com/bikelane.tiff
. Post it at work, pass it out, and maybe slip it in your offending
neighbor's newspaper box. Also, remember to share and program the
leaf hot line into your cell phone - 541-682-5383 and call in the
blocked lanes when you see them. The sooner they are called in the
sooner the lane is unblocked for the next rider.

Cheers,
Seager

[Seager]

Hey, someone else's letter was printed. Awesome! Nice work Dona!

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/opinion/22295593-47/story.csp

Keep bike lanes clear of leaves

Recently, the Lane County Public Works Department sent out a flyer
outlining the guidelines for the annual leaf pick-up program. I was
extremely disappointed to see that the department did not stress the
danger to bicyclists and pedestrians when bike lanes and designated
pedestrian corridors are obstructed by leaves.

This is especially hazardous when children use those pedestrian
corridors for walking and biking to and from school; and the last
thing year-round bike commuters need to confront when it is raining
and dark is a foot-high pile of leaves in the bike lane.

Putting leaves in the roadway is not only dangerous, it is illegal.
Pedestrian corridors and bike lanes are considered part of the roadway
and were created to facilitate safe passage for pedestrians and
riders, and to lessen contact with vehicle traffic. Businesses and
homeowners are liable should a rider or pedestrian get hurt as a
result of leaves obstructing their path, forcing them into traffic
lanes.

There are other options for disposing of leaves. If homeowners cannot
use their leaves themselves, commercial disposal services now offer
curbside roll cart containers for pickup of yard debris and leaves,
which are then recycled.

By not putting leaves in bike lanes and pedestrian corridors, people
are showing that they care about the safety of others, especially
children. They are also helping to keep storm drains from clogging and
flooding streets. Please, explore other options for disposing of
leaves.

Dona Shields

Eugene

[ROBTEMPLIN]

Hi friends,

If anyone is heading down this way for the holidays (Rose Bowl football
stuff?), I'll be leading some rides during the week in addition to our
California Dreaming Holiday tour (Dec. 26-31)
http://www.secondsummertours.com/california.php

So bring your brings for some great rides if down this way!

Cheers,
Rob Templin
www.secondsummertours.com