Yesterday I was reminded of why I stopped walking to class from my home in University Village. I don’t feel safe walking on the sidewalk! I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have almost been run over by someone on a bicycle, and yesterday it finally happened. Someone hit me from behind while riding his bike on the east side of Stange, which is not supposed to be a shared pedestrian and bicycle route. I went to a chiropractor in the evening and now have injuries to my head. I will need to see the chiropractor in two more days, and receive several more treatments. So I ask, why do I have to spend hundreds of dollars on medical care, not to mention how this hinders my ability to take care of my children, because someone can not follow the rules or be respectful of pedestrians on non-bicycle designated sidewalks? Would you believe the person who hit me had the nerve to yell and swear at me for not walking properly on the sidewalk! According to the Department of Public Safety, whenever any person is riding a bicycle, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing any such pedestrian.

Please, please, please, if you are riding a bike, please be respectful and courteous to pedestrians on the sidewalks. If I can’t walk safely on a sidewalk, where should I walk? Down the middle of the street?

To the bicyclist who hit me: I would appreciate if you would have the honor to step forward and take responsibility for payment of my medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident. If anyone knows who this guy was, please contact me.

Michelle Garland

Graduate student

Curriculum and instruction