To the editor:

As a lifetime cyclist, I’m tired of reading that we are irresponsible on the road, “disobey road rules,” do not pay for the privilege of using the roads and are not accountable for our actions [“While Bike Lanes Might Help, Real Issue Is Accountability on the Part of the Biker,” Mailbox, Jan. 28].

To assert that we do not pay our way suggests a slender grip on reality. Almost all of us are car owners as well as cyclists, often driving to less travelled roads so that we may ride our bicycles in relative safety. Even if this were not so, we should pay in accordance with our use or abuse of the roads which is negligible compared to the footprint of motorized vehicles. Anyone who rides a bike on today’s roads will tell you that we do not disobey the rules of the road any more than car drivers. Daily we see drivers showing complete disregard for pedestrians already on crosswalks; exceeding the speed limit; crossing over double yellow lines often forcing oncoming traffic to slow or steer into the curb. In fact car drivers infringe rules routinely and in doing so are far more likely to do damage to their fellow man than cyclists. If a car hits a pedestrian or a cyclist, casualties do not usually include any one in the car.

The suggestion that we are arrogant on the road is beyond belief. We have to consider our safety every second we’re on the road and any display of supposed superiority to the automobile could quickly result in injury or death. It’s certainly true that cyclists feel that they have a right to the road and should be treated like any other vehicle on the road. And guess what. The law spells that out clearly. I quote from Title 39 of New Jersey’s Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulation laws. Title 39:4-14.1 Rights and Duties of Persons on Bicycles: “Every person riding a bicycle on a roadway is granted all the rights and subject to all of the duties of the motor vehicle driver.” Drivers may not like slowing down to 10 m.p.h. to allow a cyclist time on the road, but on the narrow streets of Princeton, they must and should. Driving slowly as far as I know is not a crime.

Robert Hebditch

Hickory Court