Birmingham Fit | Birmingham, Alabama

From: CHRIS CURRY ccurry@shelbyso.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 1:41 PM

Subject: Proposed bicycle path-county roads 61.49.47 

Lady and Gentlemen,  

I was made aware of an article in the printed media about a proposed or planned bicycle trail using county roads 61, 49 and 47.  I had not heard any mention of it up to that point.  The information I was given was that it would not have a separate bicycle path built, only signage designating a bike trail.  As I am familiar with all three roads, and travel 49 some, and 47 a lot, and 61 rarely, my first reaction was surprise.

The second group were residents of Columbiana and county 47 and county 32 that intersects with 49.  These people have motorhomes and pull behind camper trailers. Again, limited sight distances and suddenly catching a 5-10 mph biker over the top of a hill or around a curve is deadly.  They also stressed how when slowed to these 5-10 mph speeds, then trying to swing out over the double yellow line to pass several bikes, they cannot accelerate quickly, takes time to over take, and they are 60-75 feet long.  Anytime they are over the double yellow line, they are automatically at fault with an accident occurs.  They also stressed the wide side mirrors and difficulty judging when they are safely ahead of the bike to move over.

My last observation is personal.  Saturday morning, in my personal pick up truck southbound of 47, I was catching a single bike going up hill and approaching the crest of the hill.  I had to quickly decide to brake down to the 5 mph (he was struggling up the hill) and wait.  At just the moment I would have been over the double yellow line to quickly jump past the bike, northbound appeared a one ton dually pick up, pulling a trailer with a bobcat loaded on riding right on the double yellow.  In that accident I am certain the biker would have been collected and nothing good would have been the outcome.

As a citizen I think this bike trail is a poor decision.  As Sheriff of Shelby County, I want to go on record that the liability and risk to the biking public out weights the value of a bike trail.  

Chris Curry, Sheriff

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office 

P.O. Box 1095 

Columbiana, Alabama 35051 

Phone (205) 670-6030 

Fax (205) 670-6912