To the editor:

Recently, a letter titled, “City has declared a war on cars with planned bike lanes” [Dunwoody Reporter Aug. 25-Sept. 5] misinformed us all.

I would like thank the writer for pointing out that Georgia law requires cars to provide three feet of distance when passing a cyclist; however, the writer misinformed us, implying you cannot cross the yellow line to pass.

In fact, it is legal to cross the yellow line of a road to pass slow-moving vehicles (e.g. a cyclist, farm vehicle, or mail truck making rounds) and when passing stopped vehicles (including emergency vehicles, mail trucks, and construction vehicles), provided there’s no oncoming traffic.

Frequently, if traffic is backing up behind a cyclist, it is because drivers are unaware that the law permits them to cross the yellow line to pass the cyclist.

In addition, the writer said that “on-street bike lanes cost $50,000 per lane mile to construct, if curbs and storm sewer lines need to be moved.” It costs about 100 times this to build a mile of two-lane road, and that excludes the cost of the land! Furthermore, the writer misinformed us because most bike lanes can be added for cost of a can of paint, since all that is needed is striping the lanes.

The writer implied that bike lanes tie up traffic. I have yet to see that in my 30 years of driving and biking. Furthermore, Dunwoody is not planning on adding bike lanes where the streets cannot support the bike lane and auto traffic.

Living off of Mount Vernon (between Ashford Dunwoody and Abernathy), 100 percent of the traffic is caused by too many cars. It is so bad on Mount Vernon during rush hour that traffic usually crawls and it is impossible to make a left turn out of my development onto Mount Vernon. We are a two-car family, and my wife and I try to avoid Mount Vernon during these times.

In my view, Dunwoody is becoming a more livable city that supports cars, bikes and walking. My family uses all three forms of travel to get to work, go to school, visit friends, run errands, and get some exercise. We do not want to feel trapped in a city where the only option is to drive.

One more thought: The writer should do what my wife and I do. Don’t drive around Dunwoody during rush hour, as that is when all the cars tie up the streets, making it difficult on everyone, or maybe get some exercise and leave the car at home.

Thankfully, through the city’s continued investment in multi-modal forms of transportation, we all have the choice to drive, walk or bike.

David Bolocan