Sharing the Road

Yep that's us approaching church curve; our car, approaching cars, and a cyclist. Donny & I don't mind riding behind a cyclist until the coast is clear, really clear. Because of the amount of traffic on our only way onto and off the islands, it took us until past church curve and over the bridge before we passed this guy. And this was a midday trip, no school letting out traffic, no end or beginning of the work day traffic, just plain midday traffic on any given day.

We could have passed the cyclist into on coming traffic. Vehicles in both directions and a cyclist can share the road with a few feet to spare, but why risk an accident to save a few minutes. Anything can happen any time, but when you are forced into close proximity and a driver gets distracted, the bike hits a rock, well that is just asking for trouble. Take the time to give the rider, the jogger, the mom with a stroller, space. It's only a few minutes.

The Dare County Planning Commission needs to implement a plan where any new development along the road must add a multi-use path section as part of the improvement. If this had been in place for even five years, Colington Road would be well on its way to have many sections of a multi-use path.

I have a note from a concerned cyclists with some concrete facts and ideas that I will post next time.

To NCDOT Engineer Jerry Jennings

Hello Jerry,

Jack McCombs said that he talked to you yesterday at the NCDOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Summit about our concerns regarding a multi-use path for Colington Road. It is my understanding that over many decades individual citizens and groups have petitioned for something wise to be done about the lack of a travel alternative along the road and unreasonable expense is the standard reply.

I started a Facebook page for folks to dialogue about their concerns a year ago and to date it has 782 members. I also have a blog on the subject for folks who are not Facebook users. This does not generate as much conversation but it is there for a wider audience to read.

I am a little confused as to why concrete plans, such as the improvement to church curve due to have started August 2010, do not have a multi-use path segment included. It seems that something already planned and budgeted for would easily accommodate including a pathway with little overall increase in expenses. Especially versus going back later.

Partial pathways is certainly a consideration. A multi-use path along the entire stretch of road is a big job and breaking it into segments, say from Baum Bay to the first bridge, is much less daunting to consider. The Blue Crab is a hassle there and rather than greatly compromise the business getting permission for an easement through their parking lot could work. Or how about a shared grant to put a pedestrian bridge adjacent to the second bridge. This would connect a few neighborhoods safely that now have no alternative means to get back and forth.

Thank you for helping with this long overdue project.

Merman says please take the survey.


Today February 8 is the LAST day so please do not tarry.

Where ever there is an other option, check the box and put Colington Road Needs a Multi-Use Path.

 Colington Road is the only major artery north of Oregon Inlet that does not have a choice for any alternate means of travel.

Over 100, 000 vehicles monthly pass through the gate at Colington Harbour (one way) during any summer month.

Colington school children need your help. It has been mandated that Safe Routes to School be implemented. This was in 2005 by our federal government. We are far behind meeting this.

Tell your friends. You do not need to live on the Outer Banks or on Colington Island to help us out. Thank You!!!