Wildlife Riskier for Bicyclists

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20407004.post-84128624962595484192008-07-03T16:15:00.003-08:002008-07-03T16:38:38.006-08:00Wildlife Riskier for BicyclistsThe <a href="http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/450061.html">grizzly mauling of a teen bicyclist in Anchorage's Bicentennial Park</a> earlier this week was a tragic illustration of the danger of running into large and potentially dangerous wildlife in Alaska's biggest city. I got a taste of it myself this morning. As I was cycling to work along <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1633+west+100th+ave+anchorage+ak&sll=61.132505,-149.911687&sspn=0.006547,0.018024&layer=c&ie=UTF8&ll=61.132505,-149.911644&spn=0.006547,0.018024&z=16&cbll=61.1303,-149.911273&panoid=zorQk2INxf8wEHBtu1escQ&cbp=1,174.6116567135396,,0,5">100th Ave</a>, I noticed a moose right next to the bike path. As I came closer, I saw the twin calves. I knew that wasn't a good sign, even `tho the cow was steadfastly ignoring the cars whizzing past less than 10 feet from them. I dismounted, waited for lull in traffic and headed for the other side of the street while still 50 meters or more from her. I must still have looked threatening to the cow and she started coming at me. Fortunately, a motorist had slowed down to get a look at the moose -- or to shield me -- so I pedaled along on the other side of the car until well past her ladyship. <a href="http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/moose/story/367277.html">Moose are plenty dangerous</a>, especially when they are accompanied by calves. At least two Anchorage residents have been killed by moose in recent years. This one was planning on neutralizing me as a threat to her little ones. A week earlier I had another encounter with a moose, but was able to turn about and go the other direction. I don't plan to quit cycling, but it's obvious that "defensive driving" is just as important on the cycle seat as in the driver's seat.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/20407004-8412862496259548419?l=awildolivebranch.blogspot.com'/></div>David in Alaskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05576251518506124905noreply@blogger.com0