I have more than 100,000 miles of riding over the last 30 years
and I must disagree with you.
I am saddened by Joanna Abernethy's death.
She represented what is best about all of us.
But the answer is not riding on interstates.
Staehpj1 is right - many states permit interstate riding.
But it surely is not a pleasant experience -
The traffic, the fumes, the noise - all for a wide shoulder littered with stuff?
A cyclist was recently killed on a 4-lane highway in Colorado with wide shoulders.
The driver was intoxicated and drifted off the highway.
You are never going to have perfect roads and perfect drivers.
It would be nice if cycling routes had low traffic and good shoulders,
but highway departments put shoulders on busy roads, not empty ones.
I have been hit twice and have been lucky.
Both times were on city streets at fairly low speeds.
I prefer low traffic and scenic roads for the quality of the riding -
but I also feel they are safer.
Many times they are winding, low-speed, and not very direct.
People in a hurry will usually not be driving on these roads.
I also advise people to avoid cycling during peak times of holiday weekends -
when the likelihood of drunk drivers is greater.
Generally, I avoid night riding when on tour -
because even with a headlamp and rear flasher - I am less visible.
Drivers don't expect to encounter a cyclist on a rural highway in the middle of the night.
I don't have any pat answers for you -
Joanna's death is a tragic loss - yet one more cyclist.
And far too many cyclists have died.
With slim budgets and expanding costs,
I don't see highway departments building more cycling facilities.
Two things are helpful that don't cost much - -
First, the posting of "Share the Road" signs
which let people know that cyclists use the roads, too.
Second, a "3-Foot Passing Law" -
which, if enforced, means drivers give cyclists room on the road.
It's not much, but it's a start.
