Have special lanes for cyclists
Dear Editor,
It seems that over the past few years bicycle and motorbike use in Jamaica has increased exponentially. Unfortunately so has the chaos associated with their use.
I appreciate the fact that, just like me, cyclists are road users too. Nevertheless, whether it is their snake-dance between lanes of traffic, their disregard for certain road codes or when they approach you from behind at hyper-speeds, forcing you to swerve out of the way, sometimes they can certainly be a menace. But what can we do about it?
In much the same way we designate sidewalks for pedestrians and roadways for motor vehicles, we should designate special lanes for our cyclists too. It is in the absence of these facilities that cyclists resort to their dangerous and terrifying manoeuvres on the street.
Establishing cycle paths is a practical solution that will make travelling safer for everyone. Of course, we have already disadvantaged ourselves by constructing very narrow and winding roads, with potholes at every turn, so there are some other issues that first need to be addressed, but if it can be thought up, it can be done. My only fear is that Jamaica has too great a tendency to take action when it is too late.
Will the death of Daron Nicholson (condolences to his family) highlight the need for better regulation of road use in the country? Let us hope his passing was not in vain. Let us make the necessary legal and infrastructural adjustments to improve our transport system by designating special lanes for our cyclists and developing the appropriate road codes as well.
Rohan Wright
Mandeville, Manchester
rkw3000@yahoo.com