Tennessee transportation officials are hoping bicyclists' feedback will help them pave the way for smoother riding in the Volunteer State.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is asking bicyclists to complete an anonymous online survey by Oct. 30. Questions include where they like to ride, where they want the opportunity to ride and any barriers to cycling in the state.
Results will help state officials develop a more robust network of bicycle routes along major highways and plan for the future, said Jessica Wilson, bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for TDOT.
The state already has nine bike routes on state and local roads, which typically have wide shoulders or low traffic, she said. Those routes don't have dedicated bike lanes but have signs saying they are bike-friendly, she said.
But few of the routes connect with suburban areas, and some have hindrances such as rumble strips, she said. The state is trying to address those issues and look into alternative highway routes, she said.
Ronald Driver, 34, said he filled out the survey online and stressed the importance of education for bike riders and motorists about the rules of the road.
Driver, who owns River City Bicycles in North Chattanooga, said he cringes whenever he sees cyclists running stop signs or impeding traffic flow.
"I see some of the errors that (cyclists) make and I'm like, 'You're shooting us in the foot by what you just did,'" he said. "I don't really think the motorists fully understand the rights of the cyclists, and I think the cyclists feel they are entitled to more of the road and that some of the laws don't pertain to them. It's kind of like a two-way street and they're both going in the incorrect direction."
Transportation officials want to hear from people who bike for any reason - recreation, exercise or commuting to work.
"We really need to accommodate all users because they are out there, and it's important to get people safety from point A to B, no matter what [mode of transportation] they use," Wilson said.