Copy of a note sent to Asheville City Councilwoman Robin Cape, re: the recent snow and resultant layer of sand:
Hi Robin, Can anything be done about the gritty sand that is covering the streets in Asheville? Following the recent snow and ice, tons of sand were spread on the streets. Now it is blowing around in high winds and coating the sidewalks, storefronts, and windows of town. It has accumulated in piles at the bottoms of hills, making travel hazardous for me and others who use bicycles to get around. There is a strip of sand along the curb at my house that has completely clogged up the storm drain. I would shovel it out, but I don’t know what to do with it. It would kill my grass if I shoveled it into my yard. The crews were very efficient in distributing the sand when it was needed to keep streets safe. The same efficiency is needed in cleanining it up. Thanks for anything you can do!
3 Comments
Thomas, how is your boo boo.
Actually in Colorado all sand and gravel that is spread out when it snows is cleaned up a few days after it melts by street sweepers. They even clean up the highways. Doing this decreases the amount of accidents caused to cyclist and the like. They have found that leaving the gravel and sand on the road also ruins the wind shield and paint on your car.
As for the litigious society we live in, if it was not for that people would be building unsafe cars and toys for the masses.
Pull your head out of the sand.
When did Asheville become inhabited by some many whiners? The next time it rains, the sand will be washed away. Did you think that the city has a giant vacuum truck that drives around sucking up the sand?
As for "injured", have we become such a litigious society that a city must replace all storm drain grates because cyclists can’t be trusted not to ride over them when the slots are in the direction of traffic? That would be a good case….."I’m suing the City of Asheville, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, because I ran into a pile of dirt and wrecked my bicycle".
Ok, here goes. If you document the sand in the city streets and actually call about and write a letter. (keep all your records and send a letter registered mail) The city could be liable if an accident happens. The city is liable until they clean it all up since they put it down.
A landmark case in Atlanta happened when a cyclist hit a sewer grate and flipped over her handlebars causing severe injury to her face. The city was supposed to replace the old sewer grates with new ones that were safer for cyclist and pedestrians, but had not.
(Check Asheville streets for these) The grid on the sewer grates runs the direction of traffic. It should be cross ways so that the bicycle wheel does not slip into the grate causing an accident.