The new experimental bike lanes along Route 10A between Ledyard Bridge and the village of Norwich appear to have sparked something, though we're not sure just what. It could turn out to be a constructive dialogue between drivers and cyclists about sharing the road. Or it could be the start of a Hundred Years' War. Both are possibilities, judging by the tenor of letters published recently in these pages. Whatever the case, the paving project and freshly painted lanes on this short stretch connecting Hanover and Norwich have highlighted a couple of concerns.

The first is that some bicyclists and motorists harbor deep mutual resentment while failing to have a clear understanding of the rules of engagement. It's time for peace and reconciliation. Both are members of the same tribe -- the vehicular tribe -- as far as state laws in New Hampshire and Vermont are concerned. That is, bicycles are vehicles, and bicyclists are vehicle operators subject to the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. They are entitled to some asphalt. In Vermont, regulations state that bicyclists must “ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable.” In New Hampshire, a bicyclist “traveling at less than normal traffic speed shall remain on the right side as far as possible, except when unsafe to do so.” Bicyclists are not required to ride along unpaved shoulders or on the other side of the white “fog line” demarcating the travel lane.

Yet cyclists have been known to abuse their privileges, and some of the more aggressive ones exhibit a cavalier attitude toward traffic laws, running red lights, dodging around cars and riding in packs. In Vermont, cyclists cannot ride more than two abreast, except on paths or roadways set aside exclusively for bicycle use. New Hampshire law stipulates that persons riding two or more abreast “shall not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic.”

This brings us to a second point: Some laws are open to interpretation. Bicyclists, especially racers and die-hard commuters, have their own ideas about normal and reasonable traffic flow that don't necessarily match those of motorists, who grow impatient if forced to slow down or to make way for cyclists. And there are situations in which it's unclear what the rules are, especially at intersections, where almost half of all accidents involving cyclists and motorists occur.

In fact, there are several dicey intersections along Route 10A between Hanover and Norwich. What happens when cyclists in the dedicated bike lanes find themselves crossing them? The westbound route appears particularly dangerous because West Wheelock Street in Hanover descends precipitately toward Ledyard Bridge, a slope that will cause cyclists to accelerate and perhaps throw caution to the wind as they approach the light at River Road. Further along, the bike lane intersects with the access ramps for I-91. The approach to I-91 south, as currently configured, squeezes bikers between two lanes of traffic, one heading straight into Norwich, the other turning right onto the highway. Similarly, the eastbound bike lane crosses the intersection with Route 5. We fear that motorists bearing right at any of these intersections will neither see nor yield to bikers who may be speeding past them.

Hugh Mellert, chairman of the Hanover Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, calls such intersections “conflict zones.” A conflict between an exposed biker and a steel-armored motorist is one we hope not to see. Both motorists and cyclists must remain alert. Certainly drivers will have to check their right side mirrors before turning across the bike lanes. And bikers about to overtake cars on their left will have to make sure those cars are not about to bear right -- right into them.

The Route 10A bike lanes could become a permanent fixture if the Vermont Agency of Transportation determines that they don't add to congestion or compromise safety. We fear that safety will be compromised unless all vehicular operators -- whether riding on two or four wheels -- are prepared to exercise utmost caution and obey the law.