Road hazards

To the editor:

I ride a bike, bus and walk. Like me and others, Bob Frederick rode his bike for the fun, fresh air and exercise it provides. However, along with the above lurk two very real dangers: angry drivers who think that roads are for cars only, and unsafe, unrepaired curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Unfortunately Bob was a victim of the latter.

Each year, several hundred bicyclists are killed and tens of thousands injured across the country in collisions with motor vehicles and unavoidable unfixed potholes, gutters or sidewalks. I broke a collarbone when I hit a pothole on Ninth Street. Unfortunately, Bob’s injuries were more serious, despite wearing a helmet.

Many drivers wonder why we don’t ride on the sidewalk, although that is illegal in some areas, as in downtown Lawrence. Although Lawrence is perceived as a bike-friendly community, the real “road rage” here is with the roads, curbs, gutters, potholes and sidewalks. They can kill if not fixed.

As Lawrence strives to become more “green,” more bikes will be out there. There are currently seven major potholes at the southwest corner of Sixth and Kasold. This is just 50 feet from where Bob Frederick lost his life. The city spent $48 to fix one hole and neglected the more obvious similar scenario across the street. The same situation exists all over town.

The city needs to spend more time fixing the “small” things, to prevent “big” high-class individuals being taken from us. We’ve lost one fine gentleman; let’s not let it happen again.