Danger on the berm

Why is the commonwealth of Pennsylvania against bicycling? As cyclists we must endure rude and inconsiderate drivers, debris on the roads and berms, irresponsible pet owners who permit their dogs to run loose and chase and bite us, and now the state is grinding rumble strips on the berms, forcing us into the travel lanes of the roads.

While we are legally entitled to ride in the lane, if there is a wide, smooth shoulder and especially on an uphill where we would be obstructing traffic, we would prefer to ride on the berm. With the rumble strips, which in many cases fill the best part of the berm, we are forced to risk injury by riding in with traffic that is often impatient and overtakes us in the most dangerous spots, e.g., blind bends, crests of hills.I've written to the state bicycle coordinator, and he hasn't answered my e-mails. The Western Pennsylvania Wheelmen had a representative from PennDOT come and speak after the strips were in. What good does having a coordinator do if no input from the various road users is solicited?This is a deplorable situation, and I can see only much more conflict between drivers and cyclists in the future with more injuries or deaths to cyclists caused by the installation of these strips.

JOHN SHOUP
Washington, Pa