Charles City town hall addresses concerns about bike rides, races
With a number of bike rides and races making their way through Charles City County, concern has been raised on citizens regarding traffic conditions and the amount of money the jurisdiction is taking in as a whole. A July 18 town hall meeting held by county supervisors provided a forum to hear from concerned constituents.
Nearly 60 people back the auditorium during the informative meeting. County leaders listened as dialogue and comments were made concerning the cyclists traveling on county road.
“My main concern is public safety,” said David Hornberger, who lives on John Tyler Memorial Highway where the road is used as a primary route for riders. “I watch them and they are disrespectful as they come down by Parrish Hill two or three wide.
“They will purposely swerve out in the front of that vehicle either causing that vehicle to slam on brakes or to swerve on to an incoming lane,” he continued. “We have traffic laws and they are required to follow those laws.”
Despite Charles City Sheriff’s Department writing citations, District 3 representative Floy Miles Sr. advised citizens that they should report something if they see it. But his comments didn’t stop residents from complaining about bikers not halting at stop signs or drivers being obstructed on certain parts of the routes due to environmental hazards such as tall grant.
And while most people agree that safety is huge, owner of Cul’s Courthouse Grille Bonnie Whitaker feels the issues can be fixed and that residents should focus on the bigger picture.
“I get irritated too, but there are a lot of things that do and can annoy Charles City residents,” she said. “Getting behind big green tractors and farming equipment and waiting on the Benjamin Harris Bridge is up while big ships pas as far off as they are is annoying.
“Sometimes we have slow internet that is supposed to be speeding up soon,” she continued. “But these bicyclists have provided business to us along Route 5, including us.”
Talk returned to questions about why cyclists do not ride on the adjacent trail along Route 5 (John Tyler Memorial Highway). According to feedback received, the high speeds would make riding on the bike path dangerous. Overall, talk continued to center around the behavior of cyclists that didn’t warrant consequences other than possible disqualification from an event.
Ideas floated from the audience about how the county could profit from the riders. Currently, a majority of the riders stay in campgrounds in James City County and an idea of opening more campground space in Charles City could benefit the locality. Other than sheriff’s deputies earning up to $35 an hour and Charles City Volunteer Fire and EMS possibly receiving donations, no funds are garnered by the county. There is no word if similar funds will be given to paid Fire and EMS workers once Charles City’s department is functional.
Overall, the consensus was clear that safe issues and the ability for the county to receive tourism dollars for this ride are at the forefront of the board of supervisors’ plans to address the situation. County leaders are looking to provide a solution to the problem and not burn bridges that may affect all parties involved.