Mon, 07/13/2009 - 9:18am - Posted by: Cbob

The sad thing about Cape May is that there's not enough room even for the cars at times, let alone folks on bikes.

Then there's Ocean City with bikes ignoring stop signs completely. Kids, old folks, locals & shoobs alike all seem to forget those funny red signs apply to them as well.

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 7:14am - Posted by: capemayjul

Cape May County needs to PAVE Sunset Blvd and then maybe we'd have a safe place to ride. It hasn't been paved in years and it's full of pot holes, ruts and bumps. Expand the boardwalk like Virginia Beach bikes are welcome 24/7 and have their own path. Don't tell me there's not enough money between the parking tickets, taxes and beach tags there's plenty.

Sun, 07/12/2009 - 11:21pm - Posted by: Corbin

While it is the law that bikes are not allowed to use sidewalks there is no reason why the riders should not be aware of their surroundings. Instead of trying to squeeze between the trailer and the parked cars maybe she should have given the driver of the truck a minute to make his turn.

Sat, 07/11/2009 - 11:47pm - Posted by: messiah8

The problem here is Cape May. I agree w/ the posts above except for the bicycle sidewalk sharing. Bikes are prohibited from sidewalks in all communities throughout the country. They are "Side WALKS" folks meant for pedestrian traffic ONLY. Bikes riding on sidewalks are breaking the law, although the police rarely enforce this. That being said, bikes have as much of a right to the road as vehicular traffic. I know we all get frustrated during the summer passing them by veering into oncoming lanes, but the law states that we must share the road. The overall problem here is that Cape May refuses to widen roads and create bike lanes OR refuses to prohibit vehicular traffic altogether. Two points- I'll elaborate. Mackinaw Island, Michigan allows ZERO cars on it's locale. Horse & carriage, bikes, etc. are fine; no vehicles. Avalon & Stone Harbor have beautiful bike lanes that enable traffic to pass w/ little inconvenience to motorists. However, I realize Cape May can not easliy restructure roads based on zoning, so our only legitimate option to avoid future accidents is to ELIMINATE traffic and cars from Cape May. Build parking structures on the GSP and bus or train people in. It's been done before around the country & is the only logistical option to prevent future bike vs. auto dillemas.

Sat, 07/11/2009 - 9:26pm - Posted by: celestialevent

This accident is a tragic and unfortunate occurrence, and sincere wishes for Ms. Walchak's recovery are offered. It is interesting that such an accident brings out obvious disdain for bicycles, however. It is both disappointing and shocking to read comments that blame the victim when clearly the bicylcist is no competition for a truck and trailer. In spite of the police press release above, it seems more likely that it is the trailer that collided with the bicycle, not the other way around. While it is true that many drivers feel absolutely entitled to the road and resent others on the roadway (including pedestrians, bikes, mopeds, etc) they may have conveniently neglected to read NJ state laws which state that the road must be shared. This does not require bikes to stay on a sidewalk (actually that is prohibited), nor on the curb nor to the right of the white line. On the contrary, bicycles have a right to the road, and the world at large (you, readers!) will have to come to terms with them as a great way to stay fit, conserve fuel, cut emissions, and get where you're going. Bikes are here to stay, and perhaps the drivers who resent their presence might benefit from giving them a try.

Sat, 07/11/2009 - 8:46pm - Posted by: dtalb

My heart and prayers go out to this woman and her family. I truly hope she will be okay.

But to agree with the others, something has GOT to be done about the biking situation in this area. I can't tell you how many times there are bikers/mopeds riding the white line or even over in to the traffic lane, creating a hazard as cars are trying to get around them by going in to the oncoming traffic lane. And while we're on the subject, lets talk about how many people ride side by side, not single file. Just yesterday, saw a kid on a bike hanging on to a kid on a moped, HELLO....recipe for disaster. I see so many bikers riding down the wrong side of the road as well. Where are the police and why aren't these things being addressed?

There is a "bike path" along Broadway, WHY are there cars parked in it day in and day out? There was a woman hit last summer as she was trying to get around the cars that were parked IN THE BIKE LANE. Tuesday night during the "Sunset Farmers Market", cars parked in the bike lane and up and down the sides of the road in a terrible intersection (Central and Broadway). "Police" standing right there doing nothing about it. It's a joke. Oh and while we're on jokes....the "crosswalks" that were installed through West Cape May. Someone went out and painted white lines in the roads. Big deal. Where are the signs "Pedestrian Crosswalk" or yeild to pedestrians? What is the point of painting 2 white lines? No one pays them any mind. Are these things being enforced? No.

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, or worse yet, killed. Let's do something about this problem.

Sat, 07/11/2009 - 9:05am - Posted by: Daisy1

The biking situation in this area is horrendous. There is not enough room for bikers and traffic...serious bike paths should be instituted or I agree stay on the sidewalk. I hope this women is okay and let us not wait for a more horrible lesson to do something about this problem.

Sat, 07/11/2009 - 6:49am - Posted by: poster

My prayers go out to the bicyclist. But, on the other hand, they should NOT be in the street. Too many times they are the reason they get hurt. Laws should be changed to make them stay on the sidewalks!