Make First Avenue crossing safer

To the editor:

Watching traffic fail to notice, or just ignore, the lights set in the street at First Avenue East and Fourth Street NE make me wonder one thing: would traffic pay attention if the lights flickering in the pavement were red?

Crossing First Avenue on my bike makes me very nervous as I regularly watch drivers zip right over the flashing lights well after pedestrians and bikers have left the curbs and entered the traffic lanes. My guess is many pedestrians and bikers have noticed this, as well. Is the city looking into this situation?

I am sure drivers are irritated at this extra stop; however, stopping for pedestrians and bikers is the law. I love using the bike trail the city has provided, outside of this one very small piece.

I hope a way can be found to make this crossing safer.

Leon Schindler

Cedar Rapids