My fault... you're absolutely right. This was not a production of the national NPR network. I skipped ahead after the first few posts, stupid me.

I'm going to send the following letter to WAMU (snail mail), anyone care to comment on it?

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Dear WAMU,

I recently heard Marvin Kalb's commentary on bicycles and cars on the DC roads (6/24). As an avid, law-abiding cyclist living in the DC suburbs, I was shocked and upset at many of the things he said. I would like to bring some of his inaccuracies and omissions to your attention:

First of all, Marvin Kalb either does not know the laws regarding cyclists, or chooses to ignore them. He states, “streets are for cars, and bike paths are for bikes.” Under the laws of DC, Maryland, and Virginia cyclists are explicitly permitted to ride on most roads. When doing so, they are generally required to stay as far to the right as is safely possible. Cyclists are also required to obey all traffic rules, to use lights when riding at night, and to signal when turning.

Marvin Kalb trivializes cyclists’ use of the roads by assuming that we ride only for pleasure. He cites the example of two cyclists riding down MacArthur Blvd on a Sunday, and wonders why they don’t use the adjacent bike path for their “exercise.” For one thing, how does he know that they exercising? Perhaps they are running errands, visiting friends, or heading to work to get a few extra hours in. I for one am frequently “guilty” of riding my bike for each of these reasons! Moreover, cyclists may choose not to use bike paths because they tend to be crowded with pedestrians on weekends, they are frequently not direct or well-marked, and they are often not lit at night.

Kalb also rails against cyclists slowing down his commute through Rock Creek Park. Doesn’t he realize that he is driving through a park, not along a major highway? Rock Creek Park is intended to be a quiet, relaxing public park. Beach Drive is not meant as a rapid conduit for motor vehicle traffic. If it were widened, straightened, and lit at night, the noise and pollution could destroy the tranquility of the park. I frequently commute through Rock Creek Park on my bike, without polluting the air, without making much noise, and without taking up nearly as much space as a car. Do I not have the same right to enjoy my commute as Kalb? If he wishes to drive through Rock Creek Park, then he must accept a slower speed and the responsibility to use caution when passing slower vehicles.

Most disturbingly to me, Kalb appears to threaten cyclists when he states, “Get out of my way.” I would like Marvin Kalb to know that if he ever puts me in danger while I am riding my bike, I’ll report it to the police. My bike is my main form of transport, and several times a week I am endangered by motorists who are rude, aggressive, and ignorant of the law. For example, many drivers pass me with a dangerously small distance between their vehicle and my bike (the legal requirement is often around 5 feet). Despite frequent harassment, I try to be courteous to motorists at all times, and move right to let them pass whenever I can safely to so.

Finally, there is one point on which I agree with Marvin Kalb: cyclists do not have the right to violate traffic laws with impunity. In fact, the law already states this. I believe that police should cite cyclists for traffic violations with the same discretion that they with motorists. This might improve relations between cyclists and motorists.

I rarely listen to any radio other than WAMU or WETA, and I appreciate your excellent news coverage. I tend to find your commentaries insightful as well, however Marvin Kalb’s was a glaring exception. His rant against cyclists threatens their lives by encourage aggressive behavior against them, and damages the acceptance of a sustainable, healthy, and economical form of transportation.

Sincerely,
Daniel Lenski

(graduate student in physics at the University of Maryland)