Ms. Peggy Guina is quoted as saying that had there been a strike of the grocery workers in the Almaden area she would have honored the picket line by shopping at Trader Joe's ("Grocery workers' contract settlement means no Almaden picket lines to cross," Jan. 27). I, for one, find that strategy as not very pro-union in view of the fact that Trader Joe's is NOT a union shop. Perhaps she was misquoted and really meant she would shop at Albertson's or PW.

Jerry Mungai

Fall River Drive

Bicyclists, drivers must obey the rules

I read the article headlined "Close Encounters" (Jan. 27) and certainly feel for the bicyclists that were treated so disgracefully. I am not a bicyclist but would never mistreat or be rude to a bicyclist just because he/she was in my way. There is no justification for trying to injure or harass anyone in any way.

I must say, though, that I have a couple of issues with many bicyclists that I want to get off of my chest. First, while most bicyclists stop for red lights I notice the majority that I have seen who do not stop for stop signs and also turn right on red without stopping (as do many drivers). I drive between Almaden and Los Gatos every day and always pay attention to this. My feeling is that if bicyclists want to be treated the same way as cars then they should obey the same rules.

Secondly, almost 100 percent of the time on the roads with wide bike lanes, such as Camden Avenue, I notice the bicyclists riding either right on the line or within a few inches of the line closest to traffic. This is frightening for drivers because if the biker sneaks over the line or falls we would have a difficult time avoiding running over them.

It always makes me wonder why we use so much of the road painting in these bike lanes if the bicyclists are going to ride right next to traffic anyway. The result is that we either drive by with our hearts in our throats or it causes a traffic snarl because we have to slow down to their speed. I had wondered if it might be that dirt or sand collects at the edge of the road but most of the time when I see this behavior the bike lane looks as clean as the road.

My last comment is that if I were a bicyclist, I would never ride on Blossom Hill in the narrow section through Los Gatos--it is extremely dangerous and you are never going to get drivers to slow down to 10 mph for that mile or so stretch. When there is a bicyclist and you have trucks coming from the other direction it can be very frightening. I would cut down Union Avenue and go in on Los Gatos Almaden Road rather than risk my life.

I just wish we could all practice the maxim "live and let live" and treat each with caring and respect.

There, now that's off my chest!

Jay Fischer

Bose Lane

Drivers, bicyclists are
the same under the law

As a cyclist I read your "Close Encounters" article with great interest. Motorists may not be aware that under California Vehicle Code Section 21200(a) a bicycle has all the rights (and responsibilities) as a driver of a vehicle. Cyclists should be aware that police will respond to their calls if there is injury. For instance, when a motorist ran me off the road and then called the police when I followed them home, the police respectfully gathered facts from both parties and then offered to press charges against the driver for assault with a deadly weapon (vehicle).

Jeff Popoff

Washoe Drive

Responsible bicyclists
follow rules of the road

I joined the San Jose Bicyclist Club in 1998 after my family's move here from Boise, Idaho. This road bike club is quite strict about road safety for its cyclists, as well as teaching (and sometimes preaching!) its members to obey the laws and the rules of the road; to obey these laws as a motorist would (or should).

When on a club ride, our members know that we must ride single-file to the farthest right of the road as possible safely, and that the last rider in this pace line of cyclists shouts "car back" when a motorist approaches from behind. This is in order to keep the cyclists safe and out of the way of danger or to prevent a vehicle from passing ("car up" is also shouted by the leader or leaders of the pace line when a car is approaching on the opposite side of the road).

We are aware that we must stop at stop signs and stop lights, as any motorized vehicle driver must.

SJBC members signal turns by using hand signals as authorized in the California Department of Motor Vehicles driver's manual. This manual also states that cyclists assume the same rights and privileges as motorists, and that we have the right to share the road with them as long as we follow these rules of the road. As a matter of fact, cyclists could receive a moving violation by a police officer just as a car driver would if one of these rules was violated.

I am sure that many other cycling clubs in the area follow the same rules as stated above.

Part of belonging to a bicycle club is learning to share the road safely; perhaps more motorists should learn to do the same!

Kim Taylor

Little Falls Drive