More to Debate Than Speed Limits

As of Friday, August 24, 2012

I have read with great interest the conversations about lowering the speed limits in Pinehurst.

So far, the debate has been focused on the speed of the cars on the roads. Even the recent letter sent from the Village Council seeking feedback is a form with five questions, all focused solely on the speed limit on Pinehurst roads.

Perhaps we could widen the debate to include a discussion about the actual roads. There are no shoulders. There is no place for runners, bikers or walkers to take refuge when they meet a car. If we lower the limits, the issue eases but doesn’t go away. There is still no safe place for pedestrians to go. The roads are very narrow, and there are no shoulders or bike/walking paths.

My husband just bought a bright yellow neon shirt to wear when he runs so cars see him on the roads. Lowering the speed limit won’t make him stop wearing it or worrying about sharing the road with cars. It also won’t make me feel comfortable letting my kids ride their bikes to the neighbors down the street.

I propose we consider a long-term plan to make the city bike/walker/runner-friendly, including seeking sponsorship and other funding possibilities. Then, we may not have to lower the speed limits.

I’d love the opportunity to leave my car at home and walk or bike downtown for dinner or an ice cream.

Marybeth Sandell

Pinehurst

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phstresident 9 months ago

Totally agree Mrs. Sandell. I love walking the greenway trails in town and can't wait to see them expanded, add more sidewalks and some share lanes for bicycles. In order to do that hopefully the town will consider widening some roads/paving and making it a safer place for the many walkers, runners and cyclist in our community.

herecomesthescience 9 months ago

It would be nice to see the Village sending some reminders to residents about which side of the road to be on when biking or walking. It is amazing how many people I see walking WITH traffic, dog in tow on long retractable leash (running 30 feet in any direction it pleases) and oblivious to the cars approaching them from behind. Usually they are startled (especially if they are older) and shoot an angry look for being bothered on their walk. Bikes of course always move with traffic just like cars do. I would not be amazed to learn that the folks merrily walking with thier backs to traffic are some of those who are terrified by cars doing a safe 35mph, and demanding the moronic 25mph on all roads.

cooldaddy 9 months ago

If we incorporate electric cars in the mix, it can be a lot of fun. Sneak up on the jogger or walker who is in the road and let a train horn go! (Added feature) I just did this and wow! Instantly I knew they were not from around here! Even their dog barked in northeastern U.S. cuss words! Walk facing traffic like science said (and the law). We are all going to yield to you.

pinewoodnc 9 months ago

Does anyone really think changing the speed limits is going to have any effect on how people drive?They might as well take the signs down since no one seems to pay any attention to the speed limit anyway. They use 15/501 like an interstate and the limit is 45. I've been going the limit in the right hand lane and have people riding my bumper until they can tear around me and take off going 60+. Of course when they see a police car, they stomp the break and go the speed limit until they are out of sight of the police and then step on it again.

Patrik 9 months ago

There is a long-term issue here of out-most importance: how is Pinehurst going to develop into the future? The community is not only about golf anymore and that is set to continue going forward. We depend on selling services to both ourselves as well as visitors that come to enjoy our beautiful village with surroundings. To ensure high and increasing number of visitors who spend money here, we should ask ourselves how can we maintain and increase the number of guest nights spent? There is a long list of existing activities like: golf, tennis, horsing, walkability in the old town area, the spa and other beauty places in the area plus of course our fantastic climate. Lets build on this platform and make the area more biker and pedestrian friendly, this would increase the allure for visitors and potential citizens who like to have an active lifestyle. Jogging, biking and walking are after all some of the most common sports and here in Pinehurst we can perform them year-round. Extending the non-motorized reach of the old town could be one of the most powerful changes to keep the shops and restaurants in business.