DUANE SHERRILLEditor

With biker safety in mind and to remind the motoring public of the three-feet law when it comes to bicycle traffic, the city of Tullahoma has official commended the Highland Rim Bicycle Club for their work in making the roads safer.

“The club has raised funds to purchase 23 (3 Feet –It’s the Law) road signs,” the proclamation begins. “Each sign is a two-foot high intensity prism reflective aluminum sign that the city of Tullahoma will erect on designated roadways to help educate motorists and protect cyclists.”

The 3-feet rule requires motorists to leave a minimum of three feet in clearance when passing a cyclist on public roadways. The city of Tullahoma has already started erecting the signs.

The Highland Rim Bicycle Club was started in 1974. It was started by six members from the base. They now have about 200 in contact with their club with about 70 who are very active.

The club has several functions. One is service. One project they are doing is called Project Recycle were members take old bikes, renovates them and then the bikes are donated to school children.

“He has given 20 children the ability to ride to school,” said member Hunter Norris. “Considering we don’t have school buses in town, some of these kids have trouble getting to school. So having a bicycle means transportation for them.”

He said they also have adopted a highway and pick up trash on Highway 130. They have donated money to help buy bicycle helmets for school children.

The club is also about opportunity. He pointed out that 200 cyclists from all over did the Elk River Valley 100 ride recently.

“It was a 100 mile ride,” he noted. “We hosted that for 52 years. We also offer Saturday rides every week. We have other rides during the week, one of which is the medium speed group. We also have one called the Over the Hill Gang, so everyone here can participate.”

They also work on advocacy. Ever May they do the Ride of Silence.

“We ride in silence to honor those injured in bicycle accidents across the nation,” he explained. “It is a very solemn event. We ride about five miles around Tullahoma (with police escort. All we ask is that motorists share the road with us safely.”