Bike safety

There is nothing like the feeling of getting out and going for a nice ride on your bike.

For many of us this was an important right of passage.

There was the special moment when, after a lot of trial and error and a skinned knee or two for some of us, when you learn to find and keep your balance and can ride securely on two wheels all on your own.

For many it is a first taste of freedom and the chance to transport ourselves a little farther from home and have a little more independence.

Riding bikes with friends as kids can lead to many fun adventures.

And for many adults riding a bike is not only a fun means of transportation, but also offers a chance to relax, perhaps get out and take a path you might not otherwise take on foot or in a car and explore and it offers a chance to get in some extra exercise when we venture out without our cars.

For some it even becomes more than a hobby and offers exciting opportunities to compete and go for long range rides with like minded people.

And with the warmer weather of spring and summer there will likely be more bikes out on the road and this means bicyclists as well as pedestrians will be out and for all involved, including as motorists, there are some important safety tips worth keeping in mind.

According to AAA, May was both Global Youth Traffic Safety Month and Bike Safety Month, but these tips are valuable for everyone’s safety year round.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 846 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2019, with most killed between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and most often in urban areas.

Males are eight times more likely than females to be fatally hit while riding a bicycle.

However, what’s more alarming, is the number of pedestrians killed in collisions. The NHTSA reports that, in 2019, 6,205 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes, that’s 85 pedestrians killed every 85 minutes. With more families walking and cycling, AAA has tips to ensure everyone’s safety while sharing the road.

Tips for pedestrians:

Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.

Walk on sidewalks whenever possible and cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.

If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.

Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

Tips for bicyclists:

Follow the same rules of the road as other roadway users, including riding in the same direction as traffic and following all the same traffic signs and signals.

Signal all turns.

Wear a bicycle helmet every time and on every ride.

Be visible. Wear bright colors in daytime, reflective gear in low light conditions, and use head and taillights at night.

Remember that respect is a two-way street. Show motorists the same courtesy that you expect from them.

Tips for drivers:

Stay alert—avoid all distractions while driving.

Yield to bicyclists when turning.

Make a visual check for bicyclists by scanning mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.

Slow down and give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing.

Never honk your horn at a bicyclist— it could cause them to swerve into traffic or off the roadway and crash.