BIKING: Avoiding a tragedy

Saturday morning at 7:30, as my two sisters and I were traveling east on Boekel Road approaching Ramsey, this occurred:

Two bicyclists traveling north on Ramsey ran the stop sign, resulting in a sort of close call. I yelled at my sister to stop the car. I was the first to notice a car stopped in the westbound lane with a person standing by the passenger door, holding a stop sign but not being very visible.

From the side of the car we were motioned to stop. A bit later we were directed to continue on our way, as there were more bicyclists traveling north and having to stop for us — maybe losing time if this was a timed race.

No. 1: A caution sign warning of a bike race should have been posted on Boekel for traffic traveling east and west.

No. 2: The crossing guard should have been way more visible to approaching traffic, rather than almost hidden, jacking her jaw on the passenger side of a car. Standing at the middle of the intersection would have been more noticeable, but not very safe for that person.

However, once the first car is stopped, the guard should be in a way more visible position for traffic from the opposite direction.

DAVE MINICH

Rathdrum