BICYCLE SAFETY: AN IMPORTANT WAKE-UP CALL

The good weather brings us all out to enjoy and play.  The roads seem to suddenly fill up with runners and bicyclists on every main artery in town.  Last week a dear friend lost her life in a bicycle accident in Rockville Centre. 

Our column this week will focus on cycling safety for our North Fork community.  Even if you are an experienced rider, it’s always a good idea to review safety fundamentals.  And please teach them to your children.

Advice for Safer Cycling:

• Wear a brightly colored helmet and you reduce your risk of serious injury by as much as 85%.  Don’t wear headphones while riding! Do wear reflective material on your clothing.
• Keep your head up and look ahead, not at the ground. You need to see what is coming up so you have time  to react and maneuver.
• Keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the petals.
• One person per bike. Riding with unsecured passengers puts you at risk for injury to yourself and others.
• Ride in single file with space between bikes.
• Ride on the right side of the road, never against traffic. Otherwise, you are at risk for an accident – or a ticket.
• Plan ahead if you will ride in a group. Agree on the route ahead of time. Have a plan on what you will do if separated by traffic.
• If you will be riding in an unfamiliar area, check out local laws and rules first.
• Avoid busy roads and peak traffic times on your route.
• Before riding at night, ask someone to help you check your visibility to motorists.
• Maintain the bikes in your household. Keep chains clean and lubricated and periodically inspect brake pads.
• Communicate your intention to turn, stop, and change lanes using recognized hand signals.
• Identify potential hazards and pay attention to your surroundings. Uneven, rough surfaces can cause falls. An object in the road can cause a flat tire, loss of balance or unsafe maneuver. Avoid riding across unknown objects. Slippery surfaces create a loss of traction which may cause you to lose control of your bike. Slow down or walk your bike across slippery surfaces.
• Before entering a roadway: Stop. Look left. Look right. Look left. BE SAFE!

Dedicated to Ellen Stegman- we will miss your vim and vigor, your eternal optimism, your beautiful mind and your strong spirit. God’s Speed dear friend!

Sources: Bicycle Safety Riding Tips, www.AAA.com; www.BicycleSafety.com; www.nsf.com (National Safety Council).