Rogue Bicycling

Yes, sometimes I am a rogue bicyclist. This morning, Labor Day 2005 I made a mad dash across the K&I Bridge . This bridge spans the Ohio River and connects New Albany Indiana to Louisville Kentucky via railroad but also it has two lanes that used to have automobile traffic on it. These days the railroad will not permit anything or anyone other than trains on this bridge. Too bad railroad, I went this morning from the Indiana side to the Kentucky side while a train was cruising down the middle of the bridge and felt twelve years of age while doing so.

As far as I could tell, there is no reason why the metal grated ex-vehicle lanes could not be used for bicycling enthusiast such as myself or folks who would rather bicycle to work in Louisville rather than fight the traffic or pay high fuel prices. All of the flooring was in tact on the eastside of the bridge as well as the iron railings to keep people from falling off the side. It must be some kind of power play by the railroad company that owns the bridge or maybe an insurance company telling them that it is a liability issue. Fine, give me a piece of paper to sign waving them of any responsibility if I am injured while riding across this wonderful structure.

Also here is an idea to ponder; why not open the gates on each side of the bridge for a pilot program from 6:00am to 8:00pm for 3 months. At the end of that time period, make a claim that it was not worth it because of injuries or vandalism. Then if nothing has happen except people riding or walking on the bridge open it up for all of us to enjoy.