By Dreamstime,From Our Post and Courier Readers

Copyright postandcourier

Improve pedestrian safety

This year, my family decided to bicycle 3 miles to take our child to school each day. The decision is mindful of our environmental concerns, but in truth, it was the result of local traffic. Over the course of four years, the short morning commute has extended from 10 minutes to often 40 minutes.

My family has contributed to the traffic. We are close to our child’s school, the grocery store, medical clinics and a park. Yet to reach any of these places, we need to cross six lanes of traffic in West Ashley.

Here is what we have discovered since we began bicycling:

• Crosswalks are incredibly dangerous. Drivers are typically distracted, and crossing signals are not always functioning properly.

• Sidewalks are too often blocked, collapsed or nonexistent.

• Bike lanes are hazardous without proper physical barriers.

• There is a major disparity in pedestrian support between predominantly white and black neighborhoods.

• We have met and connected with many amazing people on our rides.

Walking and cycling are dangerous, and it’s terribly unsafe in our city. We practice safety at every moment. We knew that when we chose to start cycling, but in order to strive for a better life, we need to model it for our youth. My son now views the ride to and from school as his favorite part of the day. Help us help the city we love and connect with each other in new ways. We deserve it.

KATE H. OSMOND

America is good

I don’t want to hear or read any more about America being in a bad place, or how our entire nation has sunk so low in light of recent shootings. It’s not true.