To the Editor, 

     Last week's horrific description of the aftermath of the tragic accident which killed the 21 year old Princeton student as remembered by Terry Donahue shows the emotion involved in the present Chappaquiddick Bike Path discussion.  Most Vineyarders can make a mental list of the various moped and bicycle deaths which have occured over the years.  In addition there have been many reported injurous bicycle accidents not resulting in death.  Many cyclists have answered the Vineyard's call for bicycling tourists so this would be expected.  On Chappaquiddick, since 1991, there have been 8 such accidents of the 325 reported in all of Edgartown, none a motor vehicle collision.  Along the Katama Road, served by a bike path, there were 30 and along Pease Point Way, the road along which the death reported by Terry occured, there were 9.  If the voters of Edgartown, who do own the Chappaquiddick road are considering spending several millions to build a bike path, they might consider where the greatest dangers lie.  Pease Point Way at the Commons shows a traffic count of about 3 times that of the Chappaquiddick road near the ferry and the Katama Road south of Clevelandtown road shows about that twice that number. 
     The offer of the Northeastern University to the town of a free engineering study was apparently guided to the Chappy Path proponents without any thought about the students applying their many talents to the problems which arguably are more pressing.  The terminations of the several bike paths at the Edgartown center are most problematic as evidenced by this death 18 years ago.  The young lady and her family returning on a ride from Katama along the bike path found themselves dumped onto the narrow, curb confined Pease Point way.  Drivers, used to the road cleared of the bikes, are frustrated by the cyclists suddenly slowing their progress. On a section involving a hill and curve they may unwisely attempt to pass with tragic results.  A sign directing the bike route north along South Water street, which may have been added since that death, sends cyclists along a half mile road that has experienced 9 bicycle accidents in that 18 year period.  Another intersection with many conflicts is at the jail where two paths terminate.  Cyclists are given a sign which suggests riding with traffic but are presented with an opportunity to ride on sidewalks which may seem inviting after miles on a two way side bike path.  This, especially for the many inexperienced cyclists coming to the Vineyard.  Meanwhile those leaving the village are given not one but two crosswalks to get onto the path to Oak Bluffs  and Vineyard Haven.   These are clearly marked and pedestrians are advised that the cars must yield, but are cyclists underway in these crossings expected and protected?  
     More than 60% of the 325 reported bicycle accidents in Edgartown since 1992 have occured at locations along roads that have a bike path available.   This should be expected as that is where the bike riders will be found.  Most every cyclist gets to those paths via other roads and often by manuevers which involve crossing normal traffic flow.  The highway department and the planning board should study these bicycling safety issues before laying down any new two way side bike paths.  The Marthas Vineyard Commission has plans to address the completion of the present path system with emphasis on the termination points at the village.  Lets spend the effort on making these pinch points safer for the thousands of cyclists at these places rather than adding complexities to the Chappy traffic pattern for the two hundred cyclists which one might find enjoying a few minutes along the Chappaquiddick road on a summer's sunny day.