To Members of the CIA:

I was struck by one particular sentence in the recent letter by Brad Woodger supporting paved bike paths on Chappaquiddick.

". . . while I agree that a bike path will do little to enhance the natural aesthetics of our home, I don't believe that aesthetics have as large a role in this discussion as do the issues of safety. The paved road, in its current incarnation, does not, and cannot, accommodate both vehicular and pedestrian/bike traffic. I have logged thousands of hours on Chappy roads as both a driver and a pedestrian, and as such have witnessed innumerable spills, collisions, and near tragedies. A bike path would seem to be the logical solution to this problem." 

"Innumerable spills, collisions and near tragedies?" My goodness, are these the same slow-moving rural roadways on Chappaquiddick that I've been traveling on all my life? Brad's letter conjures up an apocalyptic image of twisted bicycle frames, long black skid marks on the asphalt and broken glass every where you look -- a veritable Chappaquiddick demolition derby. 
I've been driving back and forth on the Chappy roads myself for many years (more than I care to admit to, in fact), but I have yet to see a single accident involving a car and a bicycle, or any semblance of one. 

Between 1992 and 2008 (excepting 2002, when data was lost during a computer changeover) there were 3,700 motor vehicle accidents recorded in Edgartown, 311 bike accidents and 132 accidents involving both, according to the Edgartown Police Department. Of the 311 bike accidents during that period of time, there were only eight on Chappaquidick (less than 3%) -- and none of them involved an automobile. There is no police report during that time span, as far as I can determine, of any accident on Chappaquiddick involving a car and a bicycle. 
I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Woodger that a bike path on Chappaquiddick "will do little to enhance the natural aesthetics of our home." He is right about that. But I don't agree that everyone will be safer by building a bike path so that more motorists and more bicyclists can all drive faster more of the time. 
Yours truly, 
Tim Leland