Narrow road not built for bicyclists.

Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Pat Edwards For The Register-Guard

All of us in the Lorane area are grieving for the family and friends of Jane Higdon and for the driver of the log truck that struck her. It's a tragedy for everyone.

Even though I don't know any of the people involved, it affected my family deeply. Our 18-year-old grandson was one of the first ones on the horrific scene, and the accident took place on a section of Territorial Road bordering our leased acreage.

Local residents have feared for many years that something like this would happen. The section of Territorial Road between Gillespie Corners and the top of Stoney Point is narrow and winding. There are absolutely no shoulders on the road - the fog lines are painted on the very edges of the pavement, which drops off directly into ditches on both sides of the road. The state road has few areas where even a single car can safely pass.

No one who lives in the area would even consider walking, riding a horse or a bicycle on this stretch of road because it is so dangerous. At least a walker or a horseback rider would be able to move over into the ditch if a car or truck approached, but there is nowhere to go for a bicyclist. Even when bicyclists are riding single file on the edge of the road, a car must go into the other lane to get around them, and most ride close enough together that a car must pass all at once, making it even more dangerous.

I have gotten to know and respect many bicycle riders from my 15 years working at the University of Oregon. So, I have nothing against bicyclists and under most circumstances I am most willing to share a road with them. Even on Territorial, I try to be respectful and try not to force my way around them, and when I do find it necessary to pass them, I give plenty of clearance.

But it is a tense, scary situation, even in the best of circumstances, knowing that if a bicyclist falls or doesn't see me approach, I could easily be in the same position that the truck driver found himself in.

I understand how our area appeals to bicycle riders and those who want to enjoy our beautiful scenery. But on weekdays and evenings especially, there are many log trucks, farm trucks hauling trailers of hay and livestock and commercial vehicles, not to mention cars traveling the road.

On weekends, there are buses and limos taking visitors to our popular wineries. For them to crawl along at 20 miles per hour behind small groups of bicyclists for miles before they can pass is asking a great deal from our human impatience. The people traveling those roads have jobs to get to, appointments to keep, schedules to maintain and everyday life to live. We don't always have the luxury of taking slow, relaxing country drives unless we plan ahead for them.

Every time I read a newspaper article on the wonderful bike routes to be found in our area, I shudder. So do my neighbors. They mention the gorgeous scenery and the pastoral peacefulness of a ride out toward Lorane, but none of them mention the very real dangers involved.

So, please don't point fingers at a truck driver who is already carrying a burden far heavier than most of us could stand. It could have happened to any of us. Bicyclists who ride these roads must bear some of the responsibility for the danger that we all face with their presence on roads that were not built for their use.

I don't know what the solution is. The only possible one I can think of is for the state to release some of its kicker money to make these roads wider and safer with bicycle lanes. Otherwise, we are all going to be in jeopardy.

Pat Edwards is a resident of the Lorane area.