Cyclists Matter Too

Crews under contract to the State of New York will begin resurfacing Route 114 between East Hampton and Sag Harbor sometime in the fall. The work follows a larger effort on Montauk Highway, Route 27, which was completed in the spring. As smooth as the new pavement is, there is reason for concern for bicyclists, who seem to have been all but forgotten during the highway work.

For some reason, the Department of Transportation appears to favor expansive no-go zones and turning lanes at the expense of room along the shoulders for bikes. This is unfortunate as the seemingly narrow lanes often force those on two wheels into a tight squeeze between moving traffic and parked vehicles. It is almost as if the state were trying to discourage bicyclists from using the roads.

With Route 114 resurfacing looming, officials should remember that bicycling is a big deal here, with some members of the work force dependent on two wheels to get to their jobs. And, of course, there are all the weekend riders who are expected to follow the rules of the road and should get decent surfaces and safe line markings as part of the deal.

The same goes for other parts of the South Fork where, as roadwork is contemplated in the future, better and safer conditions for bikers and pedestrians should be a must.