In Mary Byrne’s informative piece, “Select Board Begins Mapping Out Goals” (July 26, 2024), I read with more than usual interest that one of their five goals, “quality of life…could encompass…pedestrian and cyclist safety.” Since pedestrian safety deserves more attention than heretofore, I suggest the “could” be changed to “should.”
I offer this as a daily walker in town. Back on July 5, 2023, and again on Sept. 1, 2023, I sent e-mails to the Select Board to broach the subject of bicyclists (children and adults) who come traveling down the sidewalk, forcing the walker to dodge, step aside, or get hit. It’s possible that they do not know how to “yield to pedestrians,” so I suggested posting signs saying WALK YOUR BIKE in key areas. Revisiting bicycle education programs might help as well.
On October 11, 2023, I received a thoughtful response from Elizabeth Dionne, now chair of the Select Board, who shared her concern “about pedestrian safety” and added, “cyclists do have an obligation to obey local ordinances.” Also in October, I relayed my concerns to the Police Department and Transportation Advisory Committee.
Of course, pedestrians face other safety hazards. Aside from disrepair of sidewalks, we encounter drivers speeding through red lights, ignoring stop signs, exiting driveways by looking in only one direction, or finding it impossible to put away cellphones. In sum, pedestrian safety is a real issue.
G.T. Viglirolo