Open Letter To Lunatic Biker Riding Against Traffic In Middle Of Road In Toms River, NJ
Why do these things keep happening to me on the road? LOL
First, a Garden State Parkway driver pulled one of the most infuriating moves of all time and NOW....I had a run in with a biker. (Bicycle...not motorcycle)
Listen to Nicole Murray middays on 94.3 The Point and download our free 94.3 The Point app.
So this run in happened on the Thomas A. Matthis Bridge which connects Toms River to the Lavallette/ Seaside Heights/ Ortley area of the Jersey Shore. (Aqua Blue Kitchen & Cocktails is on the right directly before the bridge's entrance)
So I am driving along on the right lane and just an FYI: the road has three-lanes going onto the island.
Out of nowhere, I spotted a bike rider riding TOWARDS me on this bridge. And to make things even worse, HE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIGHT LANE GOING AGAINST TRAFFIC.
There is also a sidewalk area all the way to the right of the bridge for people who have to walk, ride their bikes or choose to set up on this bridge to fish.
So dude....why aren't you using it?
Plus, one of the first things my father taught me when I was old enough to ride my bike around town was that you always ride with the direction traffic.
And that rule is intensified when you are on such a major road.
I feel like it is hard to visualize what I am describing without seeing it.
This photo is from Google Maps and I added color coded arrows to give you a better idea.
The Red Arrow is about where I was when I spotted this biker.
The Teal Arrow represents the biker who was riding TOWARDS ME against the flow of traffic.
The Yellow Arrow is just pointing at the sidewalk to prove I am not crazy that I saw a sidewalk. LOL
All of the other surrounding cars on my side had to quickly veer over to the middle lane to avoid hitting this guy.
As a chain reaction, the cars in the middle lane had to veer over to avoid colliding with other vehicles.
The incident I am describing was maybe 5 seconds long but my gosh my heart was racing.
This could have ended in disaster.
SO.....
1. Drivers: Be on the look out. Bike riders, pedestrians and more are about to flood the Jersey Shore. People won't follow road rules, will dart out in front of your car and you need to be ready.
2. Bike/Scooter Riders: Please ride in your designated bike lane or sidewalk. You are still on wheels so you are a step down from a vehicle so just stay alert.
3. Pedestrians: Do your best to stay alert but as always, you have the right away in all situations.
Be safe out there so we can live it up this Summer because we do have a lot of lost time to make up for.
I thank you. *Curtsy*
COVID relief for NJ municipalities: How much is your town getting?
LOOK: Here are the 25 best places to live in New Jersey
The Most Mouthwatering Seafood in Monmouth County