EDITORIAL: Be kind on the roadways

We were sadden to learn of another bicyclist death in Aiken County over the weekend.

Gerald Hooker was riding a tandem bicycle along Banks Mill Road with his wife. The couple was attempting to make a left turn onto Lone Oak Drive when they were struck by a vehicle attempting to pass them. Fortunately, Hooker's wife had only minor injuries.

We aren't passing judgment on any of the people involved. We don't know what happened, only that another bike rider was killed in Aiken County.

Ever since Matthew Burke, a Fort Gordon surgeon, died four months after he was struck in October 2010 by a motorist on Beech Island Avenue in Aiken County, there's been more discussion about motorists and cyclists sharing the road. Burke, 38, was riding with five other people. Five of the riders were injured and the driver pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced 90 days in jail to be served on weekends.

Cyclists say they have a right to be on the roads. Motorists say cyclists are a hazard and slow traffic. We have urged both to use common sense and caution. And a heathy dose of good manners would go a long way toward preventing accidents.

We also continue our support for improvements to bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. Aiken County and the Augusta Regional Transportation Study are working with a design firm on a plan that would include biker- and walker-friendly infrastructures for leisure and transportation. That could be trails, bike lanes along roadways, parking areas and racks for bikes, expanded shoulders along roads, sidewalks, crosswalks and even interstate paths. This would be a two-state system rather than stopping at the Savannah River.

But there's no guarantee that system will ever be built, and it will certainly be years before a project like this would be completed. One thing is for sure, if cyclists don't use it and support the project, it will be a failure.

The bike paths we have now get little use. There may be good reasons for that, but it's sure hard for taxpayers and elected officials to support extending projects that don't appear to bewanted.

In the meantime, please drive carefully - whether it's a bike or a car. Use common sense, obey traffic laws and treat others drivers as you want to be treated.