An Anthem Opinions Editorial

Riding a Bike...

   Suicidal on Main Drags   

It's been two weeks since a hit and run driver struck and killed a man that had been married only briefly while driving his bike on Eastern Avenue near Evansville Avenue on Saturday, November 15th, in BROAD DAYLIGHT at  2:00pm.

Eastern Avenue near Evansville Avenue.....familiar? 

It should be for anyone traveling into Sun City Anthem driving south toward Sun City Anthem Parkway.

You know...the stretch of road that has a 35 mph speed limit that for some reason, anyone traveling at that speed must be passed for some cockamamie reason !

And as you pass that part of Eastern Avenue, look closely under a tree where you will see a white bicycle draped with flowers where that young man died...that is, unless of course you're obsessed passing another driver at a speed which approaches that of the sound barrier !

It's tragic...if could have been avoided....but the obsession with SPEED on the part of drivers...many of which are SENIORS, while driving in our community...and LACK OF COMMON SENSE of those who ride their bikes on main drags, contributed to this catastrophe....and IT NEEDS TO STOP !

They got the plate number (Nevada 871-LZH) but the driver is still out there waiting to get caught.

Hard to believe that law enforcement can't locate a deadly automobile knowing the license number of the car, isn't it ?

Should the driver be punished....absolutely....but what about the guy who road the bike?

He paid the ultimate price...a price that frankly, didn't have to be paid...because of his LACK OF COMMON SENSE...believing he had the RIGHT to ride that bike on a busy street.

Bikes on busy streets?  You have to be kidding !

What a ridiculous choice in a city that goes 24/7, often with senior sight and reflex impaired drivers or drivers coming and going from one bar to another with who knows what in their systems...soon to possibly add legalized marijuana to the mix !

Over the summer I witnessed both single individuals and large numbers of bicycle groups riding all over town....and they all seem to share one common belief......

...that because they have the "right of way", they believe they are safe and invincible...until of course, something tragic happens...tragedies that are now almost commonplace in the Las Vegas valley.

And to those people...THINK...about the consequences of  your believing the other guy IS CONCERNED about those "rights" as he or she is turning on a car radio, or trying to make it in time for the lunch specials...and...in all likelihood...on their cell phones !

Your having the "right of way" doesn't cut any mustard with a coroner....or to a spouse....or that certain special someone who gets that frightening knock on the door by a police officer....informing them of your maimed or lifeless body.

Don't get me wrong....riding a bike is great exercise and can be a passion to some....

...but to others....

...many  bike riders PRESENT A DANGER to themselves AND OTHERS where and when they choose to ride those bikes !

Just about every day, I see the same "Rhodes Scholar" on his bike....in full costume flying down the Scotts Valley Drive hill in his zest "to make time" going nowhere....

(yes, some really resemble this guy)

...similar I might add, to the another "genius" who also zooms down the same hill on his golf cart.

Think about it....the streets are close to each other, the people driving the cars entering the main drag are SENIORS who in some cases, shouldn't be driving because of their impaired reflexes and eye sight....

...and "Speedo" comes down the hill....believing he or she is invulnerable...because....of  "rights".

Who do you think is going to win this battle of the vehicles?  

"Speedo" on the bike, or the aged driver in a  10,000 pound pick-up truck or SUV ? 

So...to those avid bike riders....if you insist on your "rights"amongst these circumstances....

Chance are, unless you stick to SIDE STREETS and drive those vehicles at a SAFE RATE OF SPEED, if something does happen...

...if might be as minor as this.....

..but if you insist on your "rights" and don't use some good old fashion common sense....then don't be surprised if this is the outcome to your lack of "thinking"...

Let's hope the hit and run driver that killed that bicyclist  

can be apprehended and punished accordingly, but  to all of you who ride those bikes, try to have a little common sense as to where you ride them....and the speed at which you travel as well. 

No one wants to kill...or be killed...as a result of...

NOT THINKING !