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Today's picture: On my way to church, I passed more than a dozen hazardous utility caps like this one. While I take in the brilliant fall color in the canopy of maples along my route, I need to be aware that land mines are armed and ready to trip up a bicyclist like me. Obstacles like this one can cause a cyclist to lose control.
Bicycling on the streets of any city calls for a certain measure of caution. You have to watch out for motorists, pedestrians, and obstacles big and small. Most of the small ones are like land mines that seem purposely set directly in my path.
Just as I'm heads-up for cars stopping suddenly ahead, or checking my rear-view for whatever might be gaining on me, the land mine below is detonated. "BLAM! BLAM!" Both wheels take direct hits that transmit through my arms, legs, hips, spine, neck, and jaw. I never saw it coming. That's just the thing – you never see them coming. While your eyes and ears are busy anticipating the movement of cars, trucks, pedestrians, and even the rare bicyclist, you can't always pay full attention to what lies below. Silent and deadly, the cyclist's land mines can turn a peaceful autumn morning into something more like war.
These land mines take many forms and shapes, but they all have one thing in common – depth. When my bicycle wheels suddenly hit a depression in the surface, I've hit a land mine. Some have sharp edges that make them more hazardous. Some are made of metal that can be more damaging. But all the cyclist's land mines are at least a few inches deep. The ones I hate most are those sunken utility covers for gas, water, and sewer lines.
"BAM! BAM!" Just that fast I've put a permanent ripple in my wheel's rim, or I've broken a spoke at the hub. Or, what's worse is the possibility of losing control of my bike and veering into the path of an automobile. Yes, it can happen when you're focused on the traffic all around you. It's easy to lose your grip on the handlebar and go down. Believe me, I know from firsthand experience. Two of my three serious mishaps have been caused by road hazards – land mines. Only one involved another vehicle – a truck that failed to yield at a stop sign.
You can do something about this: report sunken utility caps and sewer grates to city officials. Tell them you expect safe routes to your destinations. If you live in Louisville, Ky, call MetroCall at 311.
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PS: Remember, every lane is a bike lane. Share the road.
freewheelin
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Enjoy the ride home.
See you at ~pedalaround.blogspot.com
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