Driving on Willow Grove Avenue on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, I braked at the stop sign at Crefeld Street. I was not in a hurry. I drive the speed limit. Not seeing or hearing any cars or pedestrians, I slowly moved forward when someone screamed, "No!" 

I slammed on the brakes. There, right in front of my car, was an elderly woman on a bike. "You can't go!" she yelled, pointing at me.

Thankfully, I had not hit her. But where did she come from? I had not seen or heard her approach on an intersection lush with trees, foliage and deep shadows. That is when I remembered instructions my father gave me when I was finally old enough to ride a bike in traffic. "Never ride in front of a stopped car until you make eye contact with the driver," he said.

I urge all cyclists, regardless of age or expertise, to take my father's words to heart. Just because you can see a car, doesn't mean the driver always sees you. Assuming you have the "right of way," can result in a tragedy.  Stay safe and remove those ear buds.

Stacia Friedman 

Mt. Airy