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Letter: Bicyclists can be dangerous, especially when they don't signal

It is unfortunate that it took the death of a cyclist to promote discussion on safety. While it is certainly necessary that some changes in bike lanes be made, cyclists themselves need to change a lot of their behavior to help protect themselves.

Twice in one week, two women riding to my right about nine feet ahead of me suddenly swerved in front of me to make a left-hand turn with absolutely no warning, no signaling. One was on Alma just after it begins from El Camino across from Sand Hill Road. She was turning onto Palo Alto Avenue. I had to slam on the brakes and when I told her to signal, she said, "I was turning left." The other was on Alameda de las Pulgas turning left in front of me onto Walsh Road. When she realized I was behind her, she finally signaled.

Frankly, I am worried whenever a bike is near me, never knowing what the rider will do next; run a stop sign? Swerve in front of me? Whack my car because I was unaware of his/her obscure position? Perhaps they, too, should be more aware of their extreme vulnerability.

Mimi Kugushev

San Mateo Drive, Menlo Park