ON the morning of the accident that left a family without their father (Saturday, Dec. 23), I was driving by Nimitz Beach in Agat and there was a cyclist who was being followed by a vehicle with its hazard lights on probably for protection.
I didn’t want to overtake both because I was in no rush but two other cars did. It gets pretty dicey for cyclists, motor-bike enthusiasts and of course, pedestrians, to use the same lanes that are typically reserved for motor vehicles and heavy vehicles.
Guam’s roads are unfriendly to its myriad of users as verified by truth-teller Travis Coffman of Newstalk K-57 when he said, “The mean streets of Guam.” Of course, Guam’s streets are “mean,” even if we occasionally hear about the good Samaritan but I suspect that is the exception to the rule.
Many have spoken and written about the need for bike lanes, of a real reliable mass transit system, safer roads and drivers but nothing substantive ever seems to occur. Maybe it is the auto lobby’s “fault” which is drooling over the prospect of additional 20,000 folks, not to mention those who will be entering the job market but there are only so many square footage on-island.
One accident leaves us in a traffic jam that seems to last for eternity. When the Legislature and Adelup get their act together, they could do a study to see the lost productivity Guam’s working force goes through in an accident, not to mention the lost time and costs (gas, wear and tear) folks absorb at long traffic lights going to and from work. Include stress, and less time with loved ones and it is not difficult to see that we need a new paradigm in planning—a Guam deficient—a better and more efficient utilization of space and time.

MATT PHILIPS
Mangilao, Guam