Cobb Ordinance Passed!

Well we lost, kind of. We also won.

The single file ordinance passed. Nobody wanted this version passed. The homeowners and cyclists had written another version of the ordinance that they felt was better for safety and helping everybody get along. Thompson ignored everybody and passed his rather bizarre version. He is very out of touch with everybody. The commission voted for 200 pages of ordinances in one vote, so it passed 5-0. There was no individual vote on each issue.

I still believe this violates Georgia law, however this ordinance is pretty useless. Basically you have to ride single file in the multi-use lane on the right of the road. That is unless you can't. Then you can ride single file in the main lane. If you violate this and ride two abreast, the police "may" ask you to leave Columns and not return until 7 a.m. the next day. Which I guess means that if I ride double file, I won't get to sleep in my bed that evening. Nobody liked this. Not the not sleeping in my bed part, but the whole ordinance.

I don't seem to think the police will be down there banishing people for riding two abreast. However, I do see more horns being honked and more motorists yelling at and buzzing cyclists. I think anger will increase. However, I urge all cyclists to be sure to allow cars to pass when behind you. I do this on all rides and it just makes sense. I don't like the ordinance because I think it infringes on our access to public roads and will lead to more restrictions. In the end the commission is trying to legislate manners and common sense of both cyclists and motorists. We should try to keep up our end. However, if you are buzzed or threatened, call the police. Get any witnesses. I don't think the police will do anything, but we should start leaving a paper trail.

How did we win? The commissioners acknowledged that they need to start building more areas for runners and cyclists. What may be coming up soon is bike paths up Johnson Ferry to Lower Roswell, which would connect up to what is going on in Roswell. I would hope one day that we could have a path from the Johnson Ferry and Columns parking lot, through the national park and Hyde Farm to Hyde Road and then to Lower Roswell. However, the commissioners are very open now to increasing bike paths in Cobb, including East Cobb. Call them on this. Write them and thank them for this while encouraging it.

The commission also discussed widening Columns to incorporate another 3 foot lane in each direction. I don't know if this is feasible. If the median is narrowed the trees will surely be stressed and may die. While 3 foot could be taken from the outside for about 1.5 miles very easily, the middle section would be tough. Regardless the commission knows it needs to look for solutions. I encourage everybody to keep contacting the commissioners and pushing for more bike paths. We have momentum and need to keep pushing. Also mention you are against any restriction on cyclists access to public roads!

I talked with the president of the Chattahoochee Plantation Homeowners Association, which includes the homes on Columns. (He and his board were against the version of the ordinance passed, and wanted the one the homeowners and the cyclists had written.) They are going to start a permit process for the large groups that are dumping hundreds of runners on the road with aid stations and such. Hopefully this will cut down on the large running groups which are causing a lot of congestion. I feel everybody should be able to run there, but the large organized groups tend to stay together, run two or three abreast, and cause large amounts of congestion.

In the end the meeting was worse than a Scott Stapp concert, although honestly I have never seen a Scott Stapp concert and I am just imagining. I met some nice people. I met some 9 hour Half-Ironwoman who was sending me nasty emails. She was just as nasty in person. How the commission votes on issues all at once seems like a means to avoid being held accountable. I think some people show uup to talk at these meetings because they have nothing else to do. Wealthy areas like Columns get immediate attention while poor areas in West Cobb with serious issues are completely ignored- who wants to mess with a crack house? Although West Cobb gets a ton of bike lanes! I guess the meth manufacturers need them to cycle between making batches.

Commssioner Thompson is out of touch with everybody, seems to be old and fragile and is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Commssioner Kesting is a very dull knife as well. Both Kesting and Thompson are vulnerable, had to put up a fight in there respective primaries in their last election. A Republican is already planning a run against Kesting, and I think she would be more vulnerable in her primary. Thompson, if he runs again, can be beaten in the GOP primary, which is the election in this part of Cobb. I think every cyclist should support any opponent to all the commissioner since they made this vote and you should let them know this. Olsen, Lee and Goreham may be safe, but we should let them know that we care and vote.

Thanks to everybody who showed up and made an effort. Although the ordinance did pass, and should be overturned by a judge, we made noise and got a lot of attention which we can push to get some action. We have momentum and should use it to our advantage. Lets turn this into something good. Please support all the local advocacy groups- consider becoming members and making donations. A large list of them is available on the right column. I will keep this site up to archive important material concerning cycling in Cobb. And again, contact your local elected officials let them know you want more for cycling in our community.

Cobb Commission Meeting Tuesday Night

Please remember Tuesday evening is the final Cobb Commission meeting concerning the restrictive ordinances on Columns Drive, which effectively takes away some of our access to the road. Please attend! We need a show of force to send a signal that we will not tolerate having our access to public roads taken away from us. Sure, you could have more listening to Scott Stapp CDs, watching a Ben Afflack and Jennifer Lopez movie, or having a root canal, however we need you to take this one night and support your fellow cyclists. We need to let the Cobb Commissioners that we are watching how they vote, and we will hold them responsible the next time they are up for election. (Emails phone and fax numbers follow, and there is time for all.)

If we let this restriction be adapted, which Georgia State law clearly states they cannot do without exclusive bike lanes in place, they will surely follow with more. While we all want to allow motorists to be able to pass us while cycling, which usually means dropping to single file for a moment, we do not want to lose two abreast riding which Georgia laws allows, or the right to take the lane to avoid obstacles or to get ready for a turn.

As it stands now many motorists believe that we are not allowed on the roadway. Starting to publicize that we have to be single file or in the bike lane in any area will surely lead to more motorists believing that we are not allowed to be on the road, and will surely lead to more unsafe conditions. How many times have you been buzzed by a car with somebody yelling "Get off the road," if not had something thrown at you. Now the terrorists,. .er motorists will feel more emboldened to continue with this behavior. Two cyclists were recently pulled over intown during a ride by the police with full lights and sirens. The officer informed them that they were not allowed to ride two abrest, took their IDs, and went back to his car to write tickets. Evidently somebody on the radio informed him that they could ride two abreast. The police were not even familiar with the law.

An enforced uniform code throughout the state, which currently does stand, is the safest for cyclists. We just need to educate the citizens and police on the law, enforce it along with other traffic laws, and us courtesy and common sense around motorists. A patchwork of different laws on various streets and counties will only lead to confusion, which will be taken out on cyclists.

Following is a letter sent out by Dennis Hoffarth of the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign. They are starting to get involved because they understand the importance of protecting our access to the roads. I support them in all they do to help us cyclists and urge you to read his letter and visit his website, http://www.atlantabike.org/, for more information on his organization. Joining and donating to his group is an excellent idea to help protect cyclist's rights in Georgia.

Please get involved! Tuesday evening can be very important. The J-Lo movie can wait!

Tim

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Dear ABC Members,

This is to ask you to take further action regarding proposed restrictions on bicycling on Columns Drive in Cobb County. Commissioner Joe Thompson got an earful from cyclists and other Cobb residents when he proposed a "no cruising" ordinance for this popular bicycling road. He appears to have dropped that idea, and picked up other ideas for restricting bicycle use. The most restrictive of these is the requirement that bicyclists be restricted to use of the shoulder area, and NOT the main travel lane.

I recommend that the County focus on enforcing existing state law which already requires cyclists to keep as far to the right as practicable (meaning in the shoulder area) UNLESS there are good reasons to move to the left. The law allows, for instance, for cyclists to move left to make a left turn and to avoid obstacles in the roadway. The full reading of the law is:

Riding on roadways and bicycle paths (40-26-294)

a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when turning left or avoiding hazards to safe cycling, when the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle, when traveling at the same speed as traffic, or while exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, provided, however, that every person operating a bicycle away from the right side of the roadway shall exercise reasonable care and shall give due consideration to the other applicable rules of the road. As used in this subsection, the term “hazards to safe cycling” includes, but is not limited to, surface debris, rough pavement, drain grates which are parallel to the side of the roadway, parked or stopped vehicles, potentially opening car doors, or any other objects which threaten the safety of a person operating a bicycle.

There are good reasons for the law as it now stands, and rightly allows them to move out of the shoulder when staying in the shoulder would result in a collision course with a pedestrian - i.e. a hazard to safe cycling. Requiring cyclists to stay in the shoulder at ALL times as proposed in the County legislation would be contrary to safe cycling, so I hope we do not end up with a compromise on that.

Any local restrictions on bicycling that go beyond state law will set a dangerous precedent, sure to be adopted by other counties and cities in metro Atlanta that may choose to restrict bicycling rather that invest in better bicycle accommodations.

If you live in Cobb, please write to your County Commissioner and copy the other commissioners with your message. Ask them to table any legislation that further restricts bicycle use beyond state law.

If you have friends or relatives in Cobb, please ask them to write. Please see contact info and map below.

The issue is expected to be voted on at the next County Commission meeting on February 27 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the County Courthouse at 100 Cherokee Street in Marietta.

------------------

Samuel S. Olens
County Wide Commissioner/ Chairman
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-3300
(770) 528-2606 fax
solens@cobbcounty.org

Tim Lee
District 3 Commissioner
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-3318
(770) 528-2606 fax
tlee@cobbcounty.org

Joe L. Thompson
District 2 Commissioner
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-3316
(770) 528-2606 fax
jthompson@cobbcounty.org

Annette Kesting
District 4 Commissioner
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-3312
(770) 528-2606 fax
annette.kesting@cobbcounty.org

Helen Goreham
District 1 Commissioner
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-3313
(770) 528-2606 fax
hgoreham@cobbcounty.org

Cobb County Commission chairman writes Op-ed in AJC

Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens writes an Op-ed for the AJC about transportation solutions for Atlanta. Funny, he does not mention cycling once.

"The solution to our traffic congestion is not one grandiose and costly (tunneling is estimated to cost $25 billion) silver bullet under downtown Atlanta. Let a private contractor come forward and build the tunnel at their own risk with tolling. In the meantime, we must aggressively expand our transit and express bus service, construct a region-wide system of managed lanes and truck-only lanes and more closely link transportation and land-use planning."

How about more biking lanes?

A Cyclist Writes A letter To Commissioner Thompson

This is a letter mailed to an AJC writer and the Cobb County Commissioners from Barry Goppman, a cyclist.

---------------

Mr Schneider:

I have followed the back and forth screaming, seemingly egged on by Cobb County Commissioner Joe Thompson.."I really got them talking didn't I", between cyclists and Columns Drive homeowners over the last two months. No matter what solution/compromise to this one confrontation of many like one's may result, it will be no more from my perspective, than putting a band aid on a gaping wound. It's akin to doctors treating the symptoms not the cause of an illness or disease. The problem is the same in scope as what happens on GA 400, The Northend 285 Perimeter, The Downtown Connector and other key Atlanta Area Roads during rush hour/peak use times..too many people/cars...not enough pavement. I am a cyclist and triathlete. I understand that Columns Drive offers for many, a "safer place than the normal Atlanta area road" to train or get a good workout in. I personally stopped riding or running on Columns Drive more than two years ago because it's dangerous. Not because of some inconsiderate or rule-breaking people on bikes, skates, and on foot trying to grab more than their "fair share" of this road. No, I stopped using Columns Drive because there is simply not enough pavement most of the time for the people and the cars who want to use it. People just get frustrated in trying to claim their "piece of the road" to use it for their own specific training or excesses purpose. My personal "straw that broke the camel's back" came while riding on Columns Drive one Saturday I had to constantly swing out into the main traffic lanes to avoid people who were walking 3,4,or even 5 abreast "training" for the 3 Day Cancer Walk. I always warn people on foot when I'm coming up on them and about to pass with an "on your left comment". More than once when I
repeatedly had to pass one of these groups of people, a few would repeatedly move out further on the road when they heard my warning and stick their elbow out in an attempt to knock me off my bike. They seemed to think they were the only people on the road. Similar types
of non-sharing, greediness or general unawareness by people occurs on The Silver Comet Trail in many high use sections.

Mr.Thompson, who I am guessing is not a cyclist or an individual who ever tried to claim a part of a road to ride or run on, seems to be just trying to appease people who live on one street in Cobb county by crafting his ban/limitations on cyclists. I would further doubt that he has had the "pleasure" of being almost or actually side-swiped by a car, screamed at, spat upon, doused with liquids (including beer and urine), and had his workout challenged with tacks thrown into the road. I doubt that he's never had to try to find safe and abundant of space roadway to pursue a goal of fitness or training to compete in an event covering many miles. If he had ever had these kind of challenges he might be more intent on finding a real solution to the real problem....finding a safe place to ride, run, walk, or skate uninhibited by cars and crowds of people.

I have lived in a major American City with a much greater challenge of available space to share..much greater...New York City and the greater New York Metropolitan Area. They found a solution to this type of problem many years ago that is still working today. It's simple and puts
current tax dollars paid by cyclists, runners, walkers, skaters and moms/dads pushing strollers( who all also drive automobiles) to use to benefit all. What's the solution you ask??? Simply close parts of key roads/parks to auto traffic during days/parts of days where the "exercise traffic potential" is high. No need to build anything, no need to add a tax or create a license fee to fund it. New York City closes a four mile loop of Central Park to automobile traffic every week Monday thru Friday. They also close auto traffic to all of Central Park for many hours every weekend. In nearby Westchester County, New York a seven mile stretch of one side of The Westchester Parkway, a very heavily used divided highway, is closed for eight to ten hours to automobile traffic every Sunday for most of the year! Wow..not rocket science and it eliminates debates and confrontations between people of different views.

Now if Mr. Thompson and the other Cobb County Commissioners really want to solve the "Columns Drive" type problem for all of Cobb County, that of not enough road for both cars and exercise oriented people to both get what they want and have already paid for, they have at least one solution to move forward on. I'm sure there are other working solutions to the problem working in other cities in the US that could be uncovered with a little research. Heck, I sure if asked, a group of us exercise oriented people would even take it upon ourselves to help with the
research at no charge. Thinking even further, our concerned elected county officials could be proactive and speak with officials from other counties in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area regarding roads that could provide solutions in their counties.

Why do simple things like this have to become so complicated. C'mon Commissioner Thompson, do what we are all paying you to do..make Cobb County a safer and healthier place to live and enjoy!!

Just my 2cents worth!!

Barry L Goppman..trying to be healthy and live to tell about it!!

A Little Heat.

Funny, I have gotten some emails suggesting I shut up and accept the single file proposal. I have gotten just as many who are against it, and feel Cobb will later try and expand restrictions on cyclists. As long as I am getting people upset in some manner, I feel I am doing good. My main goal right now is to stir things up again.

The cyclist committee list has been updated to show one committee member who is against and kind of single file concession. I will update it to show any body's public position. Just email me at bikecobb (at) gmail.com.

A good comment in an email about the meeting at Atlanta Country Club was:

Being a constituant of Commissioner Thompson's, I was truely pissed when his first statement at the Atlanta country club meeting that "he was their to represent the interest of the homeowners, and to be clear, not those of the cyclist." (Pissed is an understatement.)

I knew that was going to be Thompson's attitude, which is why I was actually for a complete boycott of the meeting. I am a homeowner on Columns and Thompson was not representing me at all. He only cares about the opinion of just a few friends of his.

There are four other commissioners, those are who we need to convince to leave this whole thing alone.

An Open Letter To All

Hello everybody,

I want to discuss 4 things concerning Columns Drive and cyclists, highlighted at first and then in more detail. If this cuts off due to the length, the entire post can be viewed at bikecobb.blogspot.com

1. Forward this as an email to everybody. Some cyclists are pushing for a bad compromise concerning Columns Drive out of fear and seem to be trying to shut down any debate. Everybody needs to be involved in this. That includes cyclists not just in Cobb County. Any person in the country can contribute to and support candidates in elections in Cobb. Therefore, they can also apply pressure. Give them the chance.

2. With a committee of cyclists pushing to allow an ordinance restricting our rights to be on the road, we really need to fight hard for the next few weeks. It is crunch time. We need to stress that while we have no problems trying to exist in harmony with motorists and homeowners, we will not allow Cobb County to start chipping away at our rights. We all need to write letters, send emails and attend the next county meeting on February 27, 2007 downtown Marietta.

3. We need to demand protection from motorists. Aggressive drivers and speeders endanger cyclists, as well as runners, walkers and bladders, and it is time Cobb County started enforcing all traffic laws on Columns and throughout the county.

4. Perhaps we can start a group for cycling advocacy in Cobb County- Bike Cobb, bikecobb.blogspot.com? If we get a good group of people together, we can make a difference.

Now in more detail:

1. Forward this to everybody! We need all cyclists involved in this debate. If Cobb County starts to restrict cyclist’s rights, which they should not be able to do in this instance due to Georgia law, then other counties may be able to follow suit. Cobb County will surely try again at a later date. If motorists do not like cyclists, they will just start passing ordinances to get us off the road. We need to stop this.

As the elections in 2006 showed, the grass roots and net roots can have a huge impact on elections. By net working on the internet, using spare cell minutes to place calls, seeking campaign contributions from across the country, and all types of various political activities, everyday people have shown they have immense power. We need to point out to all 5 commissioners that any vote to strip cyclists of their rights will result in an active campaign to replace them in either the primary or general election when they next run. They need to know that they may make a few homeowners on Columns and some bike hating motorists happy, but they will tee off a very affluent and active group of the community, state and possibly country.

Commissioner Thompson, who is probably a lost cause, comes up for reelection in 2008. He was challenged in the primary last time, and while he won by 70% to 30%, it was only a 5700 vote margin. In talking with long time GOP contributors, I found out that he is considered to be a crusty old curmudgeon who is not well liked. If he runs again, he can be made vulnerable. All elected officials can be challenged. We need let our elected officials know they work for us, and if we do not like they way they are serving we will seek to replace them. (I say we try to boot Thompson if he runs again, regardless of his vote. He stirred up this mess.)

Get all cyclists to let these commissioners know we are not happy with what is going on, and there will be consequences. Let the media know we are not happy. Make noise! The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Attend the meeting February 27, 2007. The meetings will begin promptly at 7:00 pm prior to the beginning of the regularly scheduled BOC meetings. The public hearings and BOC meetings will be held in the BOC Meeting Room, 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta, GA 30030". Contact Laraine Vance, Planning Division Manager, at lvance (at) cobbcounty.org for more information.

Write the commission members. Contact information for the Cobb County Commission can be found at:

http://tinyurl.com/33eypq

Contact the media! Amanda Casciaro is the Marietta Daily News reporter who has written two very good articles on the Columns issue. Her email is: acasciaro (at) mdjonline.com

Craig Schneider is the writer who has been covering this for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. His email is: cschneider (at) ajc.com

2. There is a committee of cyclists that is allowing Cobb County to chip away at our rights because they are scared. I firmly believe that was Commissioner Thompson’s plan the entire time. We need to stand up to the Cobb County commissioners, Commissioner Thompson and the cyclist committee, who were not elected, are deciding what they think is right for us.

The cyclist committee is saying they agreed on a voluntary single file rule. Thompson and the homeowners are saying this will this be a county ordinance. I think both are dangerous and either will start to erode our rights to be on the roads.

If it is voluntary, and posted on a sign as planned, motorists will probably drive more aggressively, thinking they are in the right to do that. That would be incorrect and dangerous for cyclists, runners, skaters and walkers. The law says we are allowed to be 2 abreast. While I always make room for motorists to pass me, I do not want a motorist coming up behind me and buzzing me because he incorrectly thinks I am in the wrong.

If it is to be an ordinance, as Thompson told the AJC and MDJ, then we are giving up rights granted us by the State of Georgia. State law says those rights can only come under local authority if we are provided dedicated and exclusive bike lanes, which we do not have on Columns. If we set precedence by allowing them to take our rights, they may just keep on doing it. We need to draw the line now. Let the cyclist committee and the county commissioners know what you think and what you want.

Contact information for the committee of cyclists can be found at:

http://tinyurl.com/2lrk8q

Contact information for the Cobb County Commission can be found at:

http://tinyurl.com/33eypq

3. How many times have you been buzzed by a motorist on Columns or in Cobb County- when a car tries to see how close they can get to you as they pass? How many have had motorists throw stuff at you while you cycle- drinks, bottle, change, cigarettes, or anything? How many times have you had speeding cars and aggressive drivers endanger you? Are you sick of it?

While this debate on cycling is in the news and in front of the commission, lets open it up to include our demands for more protection from the Cobb County Police Department. Let’s tell them we want better traffic enforcement on Columns Drive and throughout Cobb County. Let’s tell them that we want a county campaign to educate drivers that we have the right to be on the road and aggressive action of any kind against cyclists, or runners, bladders and walkers is against the law and can be prosecuted.

Let’s also start collecting these stories to be given to the Cobb County Commission. Write your experiences down, include your name and contact information so it can be verified by the county if they desire, and send it to bikecobb@gmail.com. (Send them to the commissioners as well, if you like.) I will print these out and deliver them to the commission, if we have a decent collection. I would also like to print some on the blog bikecobb.blogspot.com. Let’s start a paper trail.

Let the commission know that not only will we demand to keep our rights as cyclists, but as cyclists, citizens and taxpayers we are demanding they help us exercise those rights in a safe manner with protection from aggressive motorists. Let’s change the direction of the debate and frame it better. Cyclists are not dangerous to cars, but cars are frequently dangerous to cyclists, and sometimes on purpose. It is cyclists who die due to aggressive motorists, not the other way around.

4. Eric Broadwell has been highly successful with Bike Roswell, www.bikeroswell.com. He and his group have made significant changes in Roswell. Roswell is much more biking friendly and bike lanes are being incorporated in many road projects. He has worked with, and sometimes, I imagine, against, elected officials to make this happen. Perhaps it is time cyclists started making the same effort in Cobb County – Bike Cobb – bikecobb.blogspot.com.

While people who know me will tell you that I am probably the last person on earth to try and sweet talk some politician into building us bike lanes, I do not mind doing some work. I want to try and facilitate an opportunity for cycling advocates to come together and work for better consideration from Cobb County and it elected officials. Hopefully we can get a good group of people to work together to make some changes. I am willing to try, but cannot, and will not, do it alone. We need numbers and knowledge.

What I would like to see us do is to protect our rights as cyclists and seek an increase in bike facilities for all cyclists; road, mountain, families, children, BMX. Cobb County needs to know that they cannot just build a softball field and think they are providing for recreation. We should work for bike lanes, off road trails, BMX parks, family cycling trails, and parking lots near those facilities.

We should also work to get these facilities though out Cobb County. Commissioner Thompson’s big argument is that we have the Silver Comet Trail to cycle on, which was built by The Path Foundation, not Cobb County. Many of us cannot get to The Silver Comet without a 1 hour drive each way. We want cycling facilities in East Cobb. We want them in North Cobb. We want them where ever there is a demand. We want facilities and bike lanes where we have access to them. We want all citizens of Cobb County to have easier and safer alternatives for cycling.

If you are interested in getting involved, please send me an email at bikecobb@gmail.com. Remember there is power in numbers.

Thanks for your time,

Tim Carroll

Current Proposal Erode Cyclists' Rights.

Currently there are a group of cyclists who are negotiating with residents of Columns Drive and Cobb County to give up some of the rights of cyclists. Giving up our rights, or even the appearance of giving up our rights, is never acceptable and can lead to further losses down the road. We must work to maintain our rights while learning to live in harmony with motorists.

Below find information on:

The current proposal and how different groups are posing it differently.

A better proposal.

Action to take.

The officials, cyclists and advocates currently involved.

The Current Proposal:

The current proposal is being defined differently by the various parties right now. The cyclists involved have sent out the following email:

Dear fellow Athlete,

I am writing you today as part of a group who is trying to come up with a way to make Columns Drive a better place for cyclists, runners and residents. As you probably know, the residents who live and drive on Columns Drive have been unhappy with many cyclists for a long time and recently tried to pass an ordinance that would effectively prohibit cyclists from riding in circles on this street.

Many cyclists attended a public hearing at a Cobb County Council meeting in January to try and stop this ordinance from being passed. That huge public outcry resulted in Commissioner Joe Thompson and the Chattahoochee Neighbors Association hosting a meeting to work out a compromise. The meeting and subsequent follow-up meetings have generated some very good will among the two groups as they worked to understand and address each others concerns. While negotiations are still taking place and will need to be approved by all parties, the cyclists are trying to be proactive and provide recommendations to help resolve most of the issues.

We would like to solicit your support for the following ideas:

1. We need to communicate to as many cyclists as we can reach on the various e-mail lists of the importance of common courtesy with motorists. So, no more one finger salutes, or swearing at drivers who make a mistake and do not yield to a bicycle.

2. We are recommending that signs be posted at both ends of columns drive reminding cyclists and runners to use good behavior.

3. We have agreed to encourage all riders and runners to go single file on Columns Drive – cyclists with traffic and runners against traffic. No more riding two or three or four abreast.

4. We have recommended that we establish an ambassadors patrol of dedicated riders and runners who would be willing to wear a badge, pass out informational brochures to fellow cyclists and politely remind people about the rules of the road on Columns Drive if they appear to be breaking them.

The last I heard, less than 10 people had volunteered to patrol.

Meanwhile, according to the AJC, Commissioner Thompson is planning to replace the “No Cruising” ordinance with another “Single File” Ordinance. (Story here.)

Cobb County Commissioner Joe Lee Thompson said Tuesday that he may kill his controversial proposal to ban bicycle cruising on a popular road and replace it with a rule that cyclists travel in single-file lines.

Thompson said he started drafting the replacement ordinance Tuesday after a meeting Monday in which a committee of riders and residents tentatively agreed to the single-file rule.

Thompson said the police could be called to enforce the new ordinance against problem riders. It remains undetermined whether the new ordinance would include fines, Thompson said.

State law restricts cyclists to ride two abreast, but it lets local governments make that rule more restrictive, Thompson said. He said he expects the Cobb County Board of Commissioners to vote on the ordinance Feb. 27.

[Emphasis mine]

Now the cyclists involved are telling everybody that this is just a suggestion. Thompson and the homeowners are telling everybody that this will be law, and that they can make cycling laws more restrictive than state law. Let me repeat that, Thompson is saying that local communities are legally allowed to make cycling laws more restrictive than state laws. Imagine what anti cycling politicians like Thompson can do if they are allowed to do this to Columns. What other roads will they decide to start restricting cyclists’ rights on? How soon before they ban cyclists from some roads?

A better proposal:

This is outlined in a letter to all cyclists.

I want to thank the cyclists who have been working with the Columns homeowners at Commissioner Thompson's meetings. I think some progress has been made. However, I have serious issues with telling the homeowners that cyclists will abide by a single file ordinance or suggestion, or agreeing not to fight Cobb County if they try to pass such an ordinance.

Georgia law clearly states that cyclists may ride two abreast "as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable." Exceptions are made for cyclists turning left, when the lane is too narrow to safely hold a car and cyclists, and when there are hazards to safe cycling. For these exceptions, cyclists are permitted to take the lane, and automobiles must yield. Cyclists are also allowed to take the lane if they are traveling the same speed as traffic.

Georgia law states that a local authority may require cyclists to use cycling lanes instead of the roadway if cycling lanes are adjacent the roadway and are designated for the exclusive use of bicycle riders. Georgia law makes no other exemptions for restricting the use of public roadways by cyclists, and no other exemptions for taking away the rights of the cyclist.

The bike lanes on Columns do not qualify to meet the needs for an exemption because they do not meet the physical requirements of DOT guidelines, they are not designated for the exclusive use of cyclists, and they are inadequate due to capacity- the capacity having more to do with use by walkers, runner, and bladders rather than cyclists.

Joe Thompson and a few cyclists are now suggesting telling the automobile drivers on Columns Drive that cyclists must ride single file in a bike lane, except when passing, when that clearly goes against current state law. This is wrong and dangerous. The handful of aggressive drivers on Columns will now feel more emboldened to endanger cyclists if they "believe they are right" when cyclists ride according to the actual law. Tempers are going to flare and somebody is going to get hurt.

I think there are better solutions:

1. Enforce the laws on the books for cars and cyclists. If drivers know we have a legal right to be on the street, they won't be so aggressive. Discourage speeding. Enforce parking regulations- this includes landscapers. Enforce all cycling laws.

2. Discourage Team-In-Training and other groups from organizing large workouts there- this goes for cycling and running. When their running groups hit the road, many times over 100 people from the looks of it, it is impossible for cyclists to get into the lane to let cars by. They have a right to be there, but their large groups are
causing problems. They should voluntarily break up the groups and alternate sites.

3. Discourage all packs of cyclists over a certain number. Hell, training in a pack at Columns is not productive anyway.

4. Educate the cyclists that while they have a right to be there, they should be good stewards. That means making an effort to let cars pass them when it is safe, pack-in pack out, and public modesty.

5. Encourage the National Parks and Cobb County to provide public restrooms of some sort.

6. Encourage Cobb County to build more recreational facilities for cyclists and runners in East Cobb. Just building softball fields does not cut it anymore. Encourage more bike lanes that are safe, nice to ride on, and near parking.


Regarding cyclists and fingers: Cyclists do not flip the bird out of the blue. Cyclists flip the bird, and use profanity, when drivers are rude, aggressive and/or pose a risk to the cyclist's well being. If a driver is constantly being flipped off, they should be
encouraged to look at their driving habits. Blaming it all on the cyclist is a lot of BS.

Columns Drive is not a park, but it also not a subdivision. It is a public road that serves 1200+ apartments and condos, two parking lots for national parks, and two subdivision. Back in the day, it also was home to polo fields, and saw traffic for that. It is a busy street.

Cobb County has no right to restrict our use of it just because residents don't like the traffic. That would be like the residents on West Paces Ferry not liking traffic and deciding to only allow resident cars on it. We need to fight to maintain our rights, and not agree to give them up out of fear.

Suggestive signs are great. Taking with cyclists is great. However in no way should we advocate giving up our rights or suggest to others that we will. I don't think commissioner Thompson ever meant for the no cruising ordinance to get voted on, and if it did I believe he knew there were 3 votes against it. It is not legally sound but would at least make him look like he was doing something. Now he is using it as a club to get cyclists to give up rights needlessly. We need to make it clear to him that while we will work with the

homeowners and are willing to work on asking cyclists to respect the neighborhood, we will fight him every step of the way to protect our rights.

Giving up rights because some people are scared is never a solution.

Action to take:

Contact people! Below is a list of the cyclists currently giving away our rights. If you do not agree with them, contact them. Let them know what you think is acceptible!

This is a link to the people negotiating for cyclists with Cobb County and the anti-cycling residents from Columns. These are the people who are giving away your rights. Let them know what you think. Opinions vary, and they might not represent everybody.

This is a link to Cobb County officials who are involved and may vote on this. Contact them with your concerns. Emails are good but snail mail reportedly gets more consideration by politicians- Astroturf killed political emails. I doubt that Thompson can be swayed, but the others need to know what you like or do not like.

If you are a Columns or Cobb County resident, state that. Let them know that you only plan to support politicians for reelection that show they are committed to improving cycling conditions in the county, which does not include passing restrictive ordinances or using county money to defend these ordinances in court.

Also, show up to the county meeting on February 27, 2007. Come face to face with the commissioners who may vote to take away your rights. Tell them it is not acceptable and that you care and plan to fight.

Cyclist Committee.

These are the people negotiating for cyclists with Cobb County and the anti-cycling residents from Columns. These are the people who are giving away your rights. Let them know what you think. Opinions vary, and they might not represent everybody.

Wendy Gardiner – wendygardiner (at) hotmail.com
Mike Wein – mike.wein (at) wein-associates.com
Mark Gernaziah – mar (at) cycleworksinc.com
Bob Bakert – bobbakert (at) aol.com
Frank Jewel – fjewell (at) manh.com Against Single File Proposal
Ken Lopez – lopezkenm (at) bellsouth.net
John Scott – mongoose62 (at) charter.net
Kathy Slough – kathy.karen (at) mindspring.com
Celeste Burr – celesteburr (at) yahoo.com
Dan Thornton – dan (at) freeflite.com
Eric Broadwell - ebroadwell (at) bikeroswell.com

Georgia State Law

Current Georgia Law:

GEORGIA CODE UNANNOTATED

40-6-290 G

*** GEORGIA CODE SECTION *** 10/14/96

40-6-290.

The provisions of this part applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon a highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions stated in this part.

40-6-291.

The provisions of this chapter that apply to vehicles, but not exclusively to motor vehicles, shall apply to bicycles, except that the penalties prescribed in subsection (b) of Code Section 40-6-390,subsection (c) of Code Section 40-6-391, and subsection (a) of Code Section 40-6-393 shall not apply to persons riding bicycles.

40-6-292.

(a) A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto and shall allow no person to ride upon the handlebars.
(b) No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
(c) No person shall transport a child under the age of one year as a passenger on a bicycle on a highway, roadway, bicycle path, or sidewalk; provided, however, that a child under the age of one year may be transported on a bicycle trailer or in an infant sling so long as such child is seated in the bicycle trailer or carried in an infant sling according to the bicycle trailer's or infant sling's manufacturer's instructions, and the bicycle trailer is properly affixed to the bicycle according to the bicycle trailer's manufacturer's instructions or the infant sling is properly worn by the rider of the bicycle according to the infant sling's manufacturer's instructions and such child transported in a bicycle trailer or infant sling is wearing a bicycle helmet as required under paragraph (1) of subsection (e) of Code Section 40-6-296.
(d) No child between the ages of one year and four years shall ride as a passenger on a bicycle or bicycle trailer or be transported in an infant sling unless the child is securely seated in a child passenger bicycle seat, bicycle trailer, or infant sling according to the child passenger bicycle seat's, bicycle trailer's, or infant sling's manufacturer's instructions and the child passenger seat or bicycletrailer is properly affixed to the bicycle according to the child passenger bicycle seat's or bicycle trailer's manufacturer's instructions or the infant sling is worn according to the infant sling's manufacturer's instructions.
(e) Violation of subsections (c) and (d) of this Code section shall not constitute negligence per se nor contributory negligence per se or be considered evidence of negligence or liability.
(f) No person under the age of 16 years failing to comply with subsections (c) and (d) of this Code section may be fined or imprisoned.

40-6-293.

No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.

40-6-294.

(a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when turning left or avoiding hazards to safe cycling, when the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle, when traveling at the same speed as traffic, or while exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction; provided, however, that every person operating a bicycle away from the right side of the roadway shall exercise reasonable care and shall give due consideration to the other applicable rules of the road. As used in this subsection, the term "hazards to safe cycling" includes, but is not limited to, surface debris, rough pavement, drain grates which areparallel to the side of the roadway, parked or stopped vehicles, potentially opening car doors, or any other objects which threaten the safety of a person operating a bicycle.
(b) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(c) Whenever a usable path has been provided adjacent to a roadway and designated for the exclusive use of bicycle riders, then the appropriate governing authority may require that bicycle riders usesuch path and not use those sections of the roadway so specified by such local governing authority. The governing authority may be petitioned to remove restrictions upon demonstration that the path has become inadequate due to capacity, maintenance, or other causes.
(d) Paths subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this Code section shall at a minimum be required to meet accepted guidelines, recommendations, and criteria with respect to planning, design, operation, and maintenance as set forth by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and such paths shall provide accessibility to destinations equivalent to the use of the roadway.
(e) Electric assisted bicycles as defined in Code Section 40-1-1 may be operated on bicycle paths.

40-6-295.

No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or other article which prevents him from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

40-6-296.

(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a light on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety which shall be visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlights on a motor vehicle. A light emitting a red light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
(b) Every bicycle sold or operated shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level pavement.
(c) No bicycle shall be equipped or operated while equipped with a set of handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate his hands above his shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
(d) No bicycle shall be equipped, modified, or altered in such a way as to cause the pedal in its lowermost position to be more than 12 inches above the ground, nor shall any bicycle be operated if so equipped.
(e)(1) No person under the age of 16 years shall operate or be a passenger on a bicycle on a highway, bicycle path, or sidewalk under the jurisdiction or control of this state or any local political subdivision thereof without wearing a bicycle helmet.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the term "bicycle helmet" means a piece of protective headgear which meets or exceeds the impact standards for bicycle helmets set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation.
(3) For the purposes of this subsection, a person shall be deemed to wear a helmet only if a helmet of good fit is fastened securely upon the head with the straps of the helmet.
(4) No bicycle without an accompanying protective bicycle helmet shall be rented or leased to or for the use of any person under the age of 16 years unless that person is in possession of a bicycle helmet at the time of the rental or lease.
(5) Violation of any provision of this subsection shall not constitute negligence per se nor contributory negligence per se or be considered evidence of negligence or liability.
(6) No person under the age of 16 failing to comply with any provision of this subsection may be fined or imprisoned.

40-6-297.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell a new bicycle or a pedal for use on a bicycle unless the pedals on such bicycle or such pedals are equipped with reflectors of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety. The reflector on each pedal shall be so designed and situated as to be visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet. The commissioner of public safety is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations and establish standards for such reflectors.
(b) This Code section shall not apply to any bicycle purchased prior to July 1, 1972, by a retailer for the purpose of resale.

40-6-298.

(a) It is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this part.
(b) The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this part.

40-6-299.

The Board of Public Safety is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to carry this part into effect and is authorized to establish regulations for any additional safety equipment or standards it shall require for bicycles.

Marietta Daily Journal Article 1/24/2007

Article:

Roadsters pack hearing

Wednesday, January 24, 2007 1:13 AM EST
By Amanda Casciaro
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer

MARIETTA - Cyclists, roller-bladers and inline skaters were in full force Tuesday, but it wasn't a clear day for riding that brought them out.

Athletes who frequent hotspot Columns Drive near million-dollar homes in Atlanta Country Club attended Tuesday's Cobb commission meeting to open discussion on a proposed ordinance that would limit how often they can train on the 2.5-mile road.

The ordinance, proposed by Commissioner Joe Lee Thompson, states cyclists, roller-bladers, skateboarders and inline skaters can only pass a given point on Columns Drive twice in an hour.

Commissioners are scheduled to make a final decision on the proposal, along with several other changes to the county code, on Feb. 23.

"I don't know what the solution is, but there's got to be one," said resident Paul McNulty, who has lived on Columns since 1979. "If the situation is left alone, it's not going to get any better."

Other residents, who argue the constant traffic of three- and four-wide cyclists on the road is a safety concern, said Tuesday if cyclists just followed Georgia law there wouldn't be a problem.

"Our primary concern has to do with large clusters of bikers getting out in the roadway," said resident Lawrie Jordan, 56. "We don't have a problem with runners or skaters. We would just like to see the rules and regulations of Georgia law followed."

State law mandates cyclists travel at a maximum of two abreast, and reflectors on each side of bikes must be installed if they ride at night.

Cyclists at Tuesday's meeting agreed the situation on Columns Drive has created conflict, but an ordinance regulating how often cyclists ride isn't the solution.

"This is one of the few safe places in Cobb County to ride," said Celeste Burr, who has trained on the road for about 30 years.

Ms. Burr suggested Cobb install a sidewalk along Columns to free an already-designated lane for cyclists and skaters.


"This is an outstanding asset to our community," cyclist Mike Wien said. "We should focus, I think, on preserving this wonderful asset."


Athletes who frequent the residential street say proximity to the Chattahoochee River Recreation Area and the absence of blind spots, dangerous curves and heavy automobile traffic make it an ideal place to ride.


"You can call it anything you want to, but Columns Drive is a residential street," Thompson said. "What direction we go in is up to you all, residents and (cyclists). We believe in bicycles; we encourage it. But we also believe in human beings and (preserving) where people live."


Discussion will continue on the proposed ordinance at a private public hearing Thompson has scheduled at 6 p.m. Feb. 1 at Atlanta Country Club.

Marietta Daily Journal Article 1/23/2007

Article:

Athletes upset over proposed anti-cruising measures

Tuesday, January 23, 2007
By Amanda Casciaro
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer

MARIETTA - An ordinance a Cobb commissioner has proposed to limit traffic from cyclists, roller-bladers and inline skaters on Columns Drive near Atlanta Country Club has drawn applause from residents and ire from athletes who use the road as a training ground.


Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing on the no-cruising ordinance, along with several other county code amendments, during a 7 p.m. meeting tonight.


After years of complaints from residents who allege foot and bicycle traffic has made it difficult to get to and from their homes on Columns Drive, Commissioner Joe Lee Thompson said he proposed the ordinance to open debate on a solution for the 2.2-mile strip.

"The idea came out of concern from people who live along Columns Drive," Thompson said. "There's an awful lot of activity there and it's almost gotten to a point where Columns is a park, and it's not a park. It's a residential street."

The road, which leads to the Chattahoochee River Recreation Area, has become a hotspot for professional-grade cyclists, runners and even wheelchair athletes like Michael Mills.

The ordinance would prohibit anyone from passing any given point on the trail more than twice in one hour.

"On any given day, I'm anywhere between 10 and 15 miles on that road," said Mills, who has used Columns Drive to train for the past year and a half.

The ordinance "would limit my wife, Christie, from going out there with me and helping me train. One of the biggest things I think that bothered Christie and I the most is that we do this as a couple, and there's not a lot a person who's disabled can do with their spouse. It benefits both of us."

According to Mills, who was left paralyzed a 1993 car accident brought on by a drunken driver, the trail is the safest and most convenient means for him to train for events such as the upcoming ING half-marathon in Atlanta and the 2008 Paralympic Games.

"I've been going out there for a year and a half, and I have yet to have someone complain about me rolling past their driveways," Mills said. "If anything, people wave at me."

Thompson said that although many cyclists and athletes are courteous to residents trying to exit or enter their driveways, "this is a safety issue."


"Some of the cyclists want to go the whole distance as fast as they can, and of course, that's even faster than some of the automobiles. That creates a problem when you have families walking and skating," he said.


There are other places throughout Cobb where cyclists and other athletes can train, Thompson said, including the Silver Comet Trail and sidewalks along Roswell Road.


"It's the fact that it's a residential street," Thompson said. "You pick a street anyone lives on that all of a sudden starts being used as a park, and it's unfair for people who live there."


If the ordinance is approved Feb. 23, when the commission makes a final decision on proposed ordinances, the Cobb Police Department would be charged with enforcing it, Thompson said.


"A lot of people will obey the law just because it's the law," Thompson said. "But, obviously, the police would enforce it if a homeowner called.


On a crowded day when there were a lot of people there, there will be a marker up so (police) will be able to see who passes it twice in an hour. If that occurs, they can write them a ticket just like if someone didn't use their seatbelt."


Christie Mills, Michael Mill's wife, said the ordinance would affect her ability to train more than it would affect her husband's ability to use Columns Drive.


"It's just one of the few places I feel safe to let Michael train as far as the road goes," Christie Mills said. "He goes out to Silver Comet as well, but the traffic on that trail is so bad it's hard for him to weave around baby carriages and all that safely.


"It's just such a popular place to ride that this ordinance has really gotten a lot of eyebrows raised from cycling groups in the area."

Bike Cobb Mission Statement

Bike Cobb seeks to:

Protect biker’s rights, as defined by the State of Georgia, and to defend against any erosion of cyclist's rights.

Increase the amount of cycling facilities for road cyclists, mountain bikers, families and children in Cobb County and surrounding areas, including bike lanes, bike paths, bike trails, BMX parks, and accompanying facilities.

Make cycling safer for all cyclists through motorist education, cyclist education, law enforcement education and increased police enforcement of laws.

Improve relations between cyclists and the local community while protecting our rights as cyclists and citizens.

Support and elect pro cycling county officials, using all grassroots, netroots and cycling support groups available.

Cobb County Contacts

Contacts for Cobb County:

Samuel S. Olens
County Wide Commissioner/ Chairman
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-3300
(770) 528-2606 fax
solens@cobbcounty.org

Tim Lee
District 3 Commissioner
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-3318
(770) 528-2606 fax
tlee@cobbcounty.org

Joe L. Thompson
District 2 Commissioner
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-3316
(770) 528-2606 fax
jthompson@cobbcounty.org

Annette Kesting
District 4 Commissioner
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-3312
(770) 528-2606 fax
annette.kesting@cobbcounty.org

Helen Goreham
District 1 Commissioner
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-3313
(770) 528-2606 fax
hgoreham@cobbcounty.org

David Hankerson
County Manager
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9679
(770) 528-2600
(770) 528-2606 fax
dhankerson@cobbcounty.org

David Montanye
Planning Division Director
Cobb County Department of Transportation
1890 County Services Parkway
Marietta, Georgia 30008
770-528-1600
(770) 528-1601 fax
David.Montanye@cobbcounty.org

Laraine A. Vance
Planning Division Manager
Cobb County Department of Transportation
1890 County Services Parkway
Marietta, Georgia 30008
770) 528-1650
Fax: (770) 528-1601
lvance@cobbcounty.org

Information on Public Hearings:

Rob Hosack, AICP
Cobb County Community Development
191 Lawrence Street
Marietta, Georgia 30060
770-528-2125
770-528-2126 fax
rhosack@cobbcounty.org

AJC LTE's 2/8/2007

AJC Letters to the Editor:

Cobb Opinions: READER RESPONSE: Bike 'cruising' law criticized
Only lawyers stand to benefit here

By Timothy Carroll, Frank Jewell
For the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/08/07

At a Feb. 1 meeting to discuss the proposed Columns Drive "No Cruising" ordinance, Commissioner [Joe Lee] Thompson reported that lawyers for Cobb County brought up the ordinance and said that they believe it is fully legal, although this type of restrictive ordinance singling out bicycles has never been passed anywhere else in the country.

Are these the same lawyers Cobb County depended on for the decision that it would be legal to paste labels inside biology textbooks?

Are these the same lawyers Cobb County consulted who thought it would be legal to spend tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on laptop computers, even though that was not why the taxes had been approved?

How many millions of Cobb County taxpayer dollars in legal fees have been spent trying to defend these ill-thought-out "legal decisions"?

How many more millions are the people of Cobb County willing to let be spent to defend decisions that cater to a small minority of residents?

How much of this money will end up in the pockets of lawyers recommending these legal decisions and strategies?

I would rather see our tax dollars benefit the residents of our county, not lawyers.

TIMOTHY CARROLL

Marietta (Columns Drive resident)

Common sense on all sides is best solution

As usual, our community leaders are proposing legislation without determining the root cause of the actual problem.

If restrictions are put on cyclists, they also should be placed on runners and walkers.

As a bike commuter, I often use Columns Drive as part of my route to work. On mornings when I want to get a little more exercise, I make five or more loops on Columns. It is hard for cyclists to use the "bike" lanes when walkers and runners use the lanes as sidewalks.

If only everyone used common sense, the problem would solve itself. Walkers, runners and cyclists should always keep as close to the curb as safely possible and when approached by oncoming traffic (any type of traffic) they should always form a single-file line to pass.

FRANK JEWELL, Marietta

AJC Article 2/1/2007

Article in the AJC:

Not all cyclists, residents at odds

By CRAIG SCHNEIDER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/01/07

Cobb County's proposed "cruising" ban on cyclists who use Columns Drive has ignited debate among residents and riders. Yet some say the debate misses a huge point — that the road for the most part is a safe and courteous place to ride and drive.

"All you hear is the bad stuff," said resident Bonnie Fishman, who also rides on the 2 1/2-mile street in east Cobb near the Chattahoochee River. "You don't hear all the good stuff."

She said cyclists say "Good morning" to her as she waits with her first-grader for the bus, and that while there may be the occasional flare-up between rider and driver, the atmosphere is largely peaceful. Indeed, the mix of residents, riders, runners and walkers is part of the social fabric of Columns Drive, which the proposed ordinance would damage, she said.

"This is not a normal place," said Fishman, who said she is among about a dozen homeowners who cycle on the street. "Why make it normal?"

Some residents and riders say the proposed ordinance is too severe a way to address problems created by a few cyclists. The ordinance would prohibit a cyclist from passing a certain point on the road more twice in an hour. Many cyclists ride up and down the street several times, and they say the anti-cruising ordinance would effectively bar them from the road.

The controversy has polarized some riders and residents. As the two sides have dug in their heels, they've been largely talking at each other, with homeowners saying cyclists are stealing their roadway and cyclists saying they have a right to ride.

A community meeting set for tonight may reveal the depth of animosity and whether the two sides are ready to start talking to each other. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. at the Atlanta Country Club at 500 Atlanta Country Club Drive in east Cobb.

Concerns out in the open

People on both sides say they hope they can craft a solution without the county commissioners adopting the proposed cruising ordinance, which would impose fines of up to $500 on riders who loop around and around on the road.

Columns Drive runs off Johnson Ferry Road and dead-ends in a parking lot by the Chattahoochee River. It draws dozens of cyclists to its long, wide shoulders. Many have made the road their training track, doing fast laps around it.

Cyclist Jim Hunt said the public discussion, much of which occurred at a public hearing last week, has helped to narrow the problem. In his eyes, the homeowners' major complaint is that some speeding cyclists ride three or four abreast and jut into the road with little regard for cars.

If those cyclists could limit themselves to two abreast, it would calm tempers, said Hunt, a 26-year-old Marietta man who rides there several times a week in nice weather.

"If the cyclists could be a little more respectful to the drivers, and the drivers could be a little more patient, I think we can work together," he said.

Cyclists have the most to lose should the Cobb County Board of Commissioners adopt the ordinance. At the same time, some residents insist they want dangers removed from their neighborhood.

"Nobody who lives in this neighborhood wants to run over a person on a bicycle," said resident Larry Savage.

Hunt hopes publicity will highlight the need for more cycling spots in north metro Atlanta. Cycling places there are rare, he said, aside from Columns Drive, the Silver Comet Trail and some riverfront parts of Roswell.

Hope and skepticism

Resident Lawrie Jordan also said he hopes the debate leads to solutions, but added that he's not sure talking to a few cyclists will make a big difference.

"I'm not sure if they can exist in harmony with the pedestrians and cars," he said.

Tim Carroll, a neighborhood resident who also cycles there, said he thinks the problems have been blown out of proportion by a handful of residents who don't want the bikers there.

He said a "cruising" ban would embarrass many people in Cobb, much as the evolution stickers in school textbooks did.

Cobb County officials say neighbor complaints have been building for 10 years, and the officials want a solution before tragedy strikes. Yet they may not want to adopt a measure perceived as anti-cycling, because cycling is considered a healthy recreational activity.

Commissioner Joe Thompson proposed the cruising ordinance, which would not apply to cars or other motor vehicles, but he has not publicly said whether he supports it.

The commissioners are expected to vote on the ordinance Feb. 27.

"Both sides are taking the county seriously," Thompson said. "You have to admit I got a good discussion going on."

AJC Article on 1/23/2007

The first slanted AJC Article:



Cobb targets cyclists
Fines up to $500 considered for riders who illegally use roads

By CRAIG SCHNEIDER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/23/07

Cyclists beware!

Cobb County officials are considering setting up some legal roadblocks on one of the most popular places to ride in metro Atlanta, setting up fines up to $500.

With its flat surface, wide shoulders and lack of parked cars, Columns Drive near Marietta draws dozens of cyclists on a nice day, including many who use the somewhat remote road as their training track, riding lap after lap up and down the 2 1/2 mile street.

But angry residents who live along the road in upwards of million-dollar homes say the cyclists whip along the street three or more abreast, cutting off cars, robbing the roadway and scaring people even as they step out to check their mailbox.

Tonight the county Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on a "cruising" ordinance that would crack down on those who buzz back and forth along the road. The ordinance would fine anyone who rides past a given point twice in an hour.

Biking advocates say the new law would effectively shut down the roadway to many riders. This would be the first such law in metro Atlanta, and possibly in the country, said Dennis Hoffarth, executive director of the advocacy group called The Atlanta Bicycle Campaign. And he believes any type of anti-cycling law would be a black eye to Atlanta.

But residents who purchased homes along the Chattahoochee River say they've had enough of dangerous, inconsiderate and at time rude cyclists.

"I'm talking about the speed bicyclist," said Paul McNulty, who has lived there about 17 years. "They'll go 30, 40, 50 miles per hour down Columns Drive. They want the drivers, the skaters, the walkers to get out of their way so they can have the whole road."

Some cyclists exceed the speed limit of 25 mph, sidle up to cars and "thump" on the car to get it out of their way, residents say.

"It's not being considerate, respectful or polite," McNulty said.

The bicyclists, for their part, say they have a legal right to ride there, and that while there are a few bad apples, the groups in general try to be safe and respectful.

"The cyclists have a right to the road," said Jim Hunt, 26, who has ridden the road two to three times a week for about five years. "I know that can be hard to swallow."

He added, though, that cyclists have a responsibility to stay on the shoulder.

In a sense, Columns Drive has become a victim of its own success, he said. On warm days, the shoulders can become congested with cyclists, joggers and walkers, and sometimes cyclists must enter into the road to avoid hitting some of them. He suggested the county consider adding sidewalks.

Hunt added, "I hope everybody would be willing to compromise. Patience is a big part of it."

Columns Road is among the safest routes for bike riding in metro Atlanta, and such places are few and far between, said Hoffarth of the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign. Consequently the road draws many riders from outside the area, which piques the homeowners even more.

His group met with public officials, residents and riders in October to try to broker a resolution. He believes the proposed cruising ordinance smacks of selective enforcement against the riders.

The law would fine a person $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second and $500 for the third within a year.

Hoffarth said he has checked with biking groups across the country and none have heard of such a law. He foresees a backlash locally and nationally, asserting that metro Atlanta would look as though it were cracking down on a healthy recreational activity.

"This could actually be an embarrassment across the country," he said.

Cobb Commissioner Joe Thompson, who represents this area, said he will await the public comment before deciding on the ordinance.

Some people involved with the issue are hoping the proposed ordinance is another attempt by the county to bring the warring parties together and create more compromise.

At the same time, Thompson believes some sort of change is needed.

"Columns Drive is simply not a park. It's a street in a subdivision," Thompson said. "It creates sort of an unsafe situation."

How This Started.

A proposed ordinance by Commissioner Thompson of Cobb County, which many people find at odds with state law:


**(a**) Purpose and Intent.


The Board of Commissioners finds that traffic congestion on Columns Drive has increased significantly as a result of increased usage of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and increased residential
development in the area. Much of the congestion is caused by pedestrians using skate boards, roller skates, and in-line skates, and bicycle traffic, a significant portion of which is repetitive and appears to have a recreational rather than a transportation purpose. Repetitive bicycle traffic, and pedestrians using
skate boards, roller skates, and in-line skates adds to this congestion and presents a safety hazard to persons who travel along Columns Drive and those who live there. Therefore, the following ordinance is enacted to mitigate the effects of congestion on Columns Drive.
**(b**) Definitions.
**(1**) Cruise or cruising means to use a bicycle, skate board, roller skates, or in-line skates so as to pass a traffic control point within a no cruising zone more than twice within any one hour period.
**(2**) No cruising zone means the entirety of Columns Drive.
**(3**) Traffic control point means any point established by a police officer within a no cruising zone for the purpose of monitoring cruising.
**(c**) Prohibited Conduct and Enforcement.
**(1**) The Department of Transportation shall mark a no cruising zone by conspicuously posting appropriate signs at each entrance to the zone.
**(2**) A police officer shall mark a traffic control point with an appropriate sign.
**(3**) A person violates this ordinance by cruising in an area marked in accordance with this section as a no cruising zone. A citation may be issued for such violation at any time after the traffic control point is passed the second time within any one hour period.
**(d**) Exclusions. This section shall not apply to:
**(1**) An official public safety or emergency bicycle; or
**(2**) Any special event as declared by the Board of Commissioners.
**(e**) Penalties. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall pay a fine as established below:
**(1**) The sum of $50.00 upon the first violation within a one-year period.
**(2**) The sum of $100.00 upon the second violation within a one-year period.
**(3**) The sum of $500.00 upon the third and each subsequent violation within a one-year period.