In the wake of the deaths of two cyclists and a pedestrian 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 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.”
Board member 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 board member Damon Seils at the close of the discussion.
