After two cyclists and a pedestrian were struck and killed by oncoming traffic last week, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen discussed increasing protection for cyclists and pedestrians at their Tuesday night meeting.
The two cyclists — Ivan Scurlock and Alexandria Simou — were killed in a hit-and-run on U.S. Highway 15-501 Friday.
Two days earlier, pedestrian Lisa Renee Baldwin was killed by oncoming traffic at the intersection of U.S. 15-501 and South Estes Drive in Chapel Hill.
The board said they recognize the need for more crosswalks and “bike walks” throughout town in order to provide safety for the many walkers and bikers in the community.
Mayor Mark Chilton said the North Carolina Department of Transportation needs to help make the town safer for commuters who choose not to drive.
“I appreciate the work that the DOT has provided us, but many of our requests for bike walks and crosswalks have gone unanswered,” he said. “There’s an opportunity for us as a board to stand up and say that vehicle safety is not the only thing that is important.”
Alderwoman Jacquelyn Gist said the community could have prevented Baldwin’s death. She said Baldwin was a troubled woman.
“It’s not the car’s fault, it’s all of our faults,” Gist said. “We all saw that or something similar to that coming.”
“We all are supposed to take care of each other,” said Alderman Damon Seils at the close of the discussion.
Notable
A Carrboro police K9 named Allie is retiring early from the Carrboro Police Department. Her handler, Paul Reinas will be moving out of the town of Carrboro later this year, and Allie will be leaving along with him.
The Board adopted a resolution to allow Reinas to be her primary caregiver for the rest of her life.
“I’ve seen Paul with the dog and it’s a very special relationship,” Gist said.
Quotable
“I’ll be at all of the events and I’m not even sure what time they start,” Chilton said about the annual N.C. PrideFest Day Parade coming to Duke’s East Campus this weekend.
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