Safety Tips For All Bicycle Riders
By mary615
Riding A Bike Conserves Energy And Benefits Everyone
There are many countries in the world where the people depend on their bikes as their primary mode of transportation. They don't have the luxury of automobiles as we do. We are so spoiled. We jump in the car just to run an errand two miles away. We complain about the price of gasoline, but we sure can consume it. Just think of the money we could save if we didn't drive our cars so much. If more people rode bikes in the U.S. we could certainly save energy, not to mention reducing the toxic emissions left by gasoline. Our air quality would certainly improve.
I'd like to see more people riding bikes here, but there are some measures we need to take. First, we need safer bike paths for bikers.
Secondly, we need to educate our bikers and drivers alike to share the road safely.
Father Is Teaching His Child To Ride A Bike
An 18yr. Old Boy Was Killed Riding His Bike
Just last week our small community was saddened by the news that an 18yr. old bicyclist was hit and killed by a car while crossing a busy street. He was hit by a 24 yr. old girl who was not at fault, the law enforcement said. What caused this boy to dart out into the busy road in front of oncoming traffic? We will never know the answer to that question. This event has caused me to think more about the people who ride their bikes, and the drivers who have to share the road with them.
The lives of the family of the boy who was killed are shattered, and will never be the same. The girl who hit the boy will never forget the accident. I’m sure she will forever hear the noise it created, and will relive the event in her mind forever. My heart goes out to the victim’s family, and to the girl who hit him.
Florida is the deadliest state in the U.S. for Pedestrians and Bicyclists. In 2008 there were 480 fatalities for bicyclists in Florida according to a report from USA TODAY.
Bike Riders Have A Responsibility
Bike riders have a responsibility to themselves and others to make sure their bike is in safe operating condition.
· The tires should be properly inflated,
· The bike must have good brakes.
· The bike should have lights, especially on the back of the bike.
· If you ride a bike at night, you should have a flashing red rear light.
· You should have a flag mounted on the back of the bike for visibility.
· You should always wear a helmet!
· I think all bikes should be equipped with a rear view mirror on the left side.
· Wear reflective clothing. Never wear black clothing at night. A reflective vest is cheap, but well worth the investment.
· NEVER talk on your cell phone or wear headphones to listen to music.
· BE AWARE AND ALERT!
I believe bike riders should always wear a helmet, regardless of their age. Wearing a helmet will do absolutely nothing to keep a car from hitting the rider, BUT the helmet protects the rider’s head in cause they come crashing down on the pavement. Wearing a helmet is debatable, but as a parent, I always insist that my kids wear theirs.
More And More People Are Riding Bicycles
There are more and more people riding bicycles. There are a lot of reasons for this; among them are:
1. The price of gasoline for cars; it’s cheaper to ride a bike.
2. More school children ride their bikes because Mom or Dad can’t drive them to school.
3. Pleasure. Kids just love to ride their bikes.
4. We have a lot of tourists in our area that are out on bikes sightseeing.
5. Some people have lost their jobs, and can’t afford a car.
6. Some people have lost their driver’s licenses or have they suspended.
Car Drivers Have A Responsibillity To Bicycle Riders
Drivers of cars have a responsibility: I must share the road with bike riders, and so I must be more aware of the possibility that I might hit a bike rider. I have shared some advice to my own children to prevent a car from hitting them, and I think it is good advice.
More Safety Tips For Bicycle Riders
· Be careful when crossing driveways and side streets. Always make sure to STOP. Sometimes I don’t stop back far enough, and I fail to see a bike rider approaching. When I come out of a driveway into the street, sometimes there will be shrubbery or some other obstruction and I have limited vision. I have to really take it slow to avoid a biker or a walker.
· If you are riding on a sidewalk, and have to cross the street at a crosswalk, sometimes a car will make a right turn right into you. Drivers aren’t expecting to see a biker in the crosswalk, and it’s hard for the driver to see you. Look ahead and make sure no car is coming that is going to turn into the crosswalk. Wait for them to get by.
· Always ride WITH THE TRAFFIC, in the same direction. Riding the wrong way is against the law, and you can get a ticket for doing that. Nearly one fourth of crashes involve bikers riding the wrong way.
· Always stop behind a car, never to the right of the car. If the car turns right, guess what? You get hit! If you are behind the car, that makes you more visible to traffic on all sides.
· Don’t pass a car on the right! As a driver of a car, we have the responsibility of looking to the right to make sure there is no on-coming car or bike if we want to make a right hand turn.
· Never move left or make a left turn without signaling. Put your arm straight out. Use your mirror to check for a car that is already coming up to your left. Wait for him to get by you.
· If there is a bike lane: use it! There’s less chance of a car hitting you from the rear. This is another reason I think it’s important to have a light on the rear of your bike.
· Watch out for drivers opening their car doors to get out of their car. You can slam into their door.
We Should Have More Safety Awareness Programs For Bike Riders
I think we need more safety awareness programs for bikers. There are programs out there for drunk driving, wearing seat belts, but nothing for pedestrian and bike safety.
I think more communities should build bike lanes so bikers don’t have to share the busy street with cars. In the meantime, we all have to share the responsibility of keeping our bikers, young and old, safe on our roads.
Riding a bike is a good way to conserve energy by not using so much gasoline for our cars. It's good exercise for the bikers. too. It's a win-win situation, but everyone has to be more cautious; riders and drivers alike.
Video On Bike Safety
Do You Ride A Bike To School Or To Work?
See results without voting
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A Great Hub On How To Treat Cyclists On The Road
- Give cyclists a break!
How to treat cyclists on the road.
Comments
Boy, you are fast! Thanks for noticing that photo! I just deleted it. Will have to find a good photo of a street legal Bike! I'm going to your Hub now; thanks.
useful suggestions. Standard bicycle helmets do not protect the face. Bicycle helmets are not designed to protect the harder impacts. I think bicycle riders also have to wear helmets those for motor biker's.
Hi Mary,
How devastating for the family and the driver. My son just got his driver's license and I haven't gotten past the point where I worry every time I see him drive away. Thanks for the great hub. Voted up and useful!
sure, mary615 link to my hub..
Hi dickan, thanks so much for reading my Hub and commenting. You make a good point about the helmet, thanks. I'll read more about those types for motor bikers. Thanks again. See you again, I hope.
Hello JEOrtega, I have a sixteen year old son who refuses to get his permanent driver's license because he's afraid he'll cause a wreck and kill someone. I don't push him. Maybe I'm selfish and just don't want to have to worry about him. Thanks for the compliment and for the nice votes. I appreciate that. Bye for now.
Thanks SO much, aruso. I did the link. Bye for now.
There was a time in life where my mother, sister and I would ride our bikes around. It was great exercise, and a great saver of money in regards to gas. I think your hub is excellent as a reminder, that we can never be too careful. Both the car drivers AND the bicyclists need to be more careful. I hope to ride a bike more in the future, thanks for the reminder.
Hi oceansnsunsets, we have a lot of bike riders in this community, and this fatality has really made us all realize we have to be more careful. The poor girl who hit him could not have avoided the accident. Thanks for reading my Hub and commenting. It's always appreciated! Goodnight.
Good biking tips! Both parties need to be very careful about each other. I'm glad you wrote the Hub- the more awareness there is about bicyclist safety, the better!
Hi Simone Smith, thanks for reading my Hub. I wasn't sure if it really qualified for your suggestion of conservation, but it is a way of conserving energy. I'd like to see more people riding bikes, but everyone has to be more cautious, riders and drivers alike. See you again, soon.
Sorry to hear of the tragedy in your own community that inspired this much needed hub about bicycle safety. You've done a great job of listing responsibilities of all parties involved and enumerating safe habits while biking.
Voted up, useful and awesome.
Hi Happyboomernurse. So nice to see you again. Thanks for reading my Hub on Bicycle safety, and for the nice compliment. Yes, it was tragic; just a loss. Thanks, too for the votes. I appreciate that. See you again soon, I hope.
Hi, Mary. What a terrible record for Florida to have - the deadliest state for pedestrians and bicyclists. But I am not surprised. In my area of south Florida there are many drivers on the streets who do not speak English, may not recognize traffic signs, and often fail to obtain driver's licenses as well as auto insurance.
Your suggestions for drivers are excellent. Now if we could just get folks to read and obey them.
Hi there, drbj. Good to see you! Thanks for reading and commenting on my Hub about bicycle safety. In my area, we have a lot of people who never got a driver's license and still they drive around (until they get pulled over). Sometimes these folks are here illegally and can't get a license to drive a car, so guess what? They ride bikes! You are right, some of them can't read English, either. It's a real problem. See you again soon, I hope.
Dear marry that's is really amazing and interesting hub.voted up dear!
Good morning, asmaiftikhar. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my Hub about bicyle safety. So glad you enjoyed reading it, and thanks for the votes, too. Hope you have a wonderful day!
A worthwhile and well put together hub as it offers useful safety advice for cyclists as well as encouraging people to cycle more often. Voted up and useful as well as interesting.
Good Morning, 2uesday! So nice to see you today. Thanks for reading my Hub about bicycle safety, Thanks, too for the votes. This is a subject that really "hit home" for me because of this boy's death. I've had some near misses that have left me shaken for hours. Hope you have a wonderful day!
good hub and good advice. there is a part of my city (in the country)where cyclists and drivers share the road and I don't know of a single injury...probably because we are always looking out for one another.
Hi, picklesandrufus, thanks for reading my Hub on bicycle safety. So glad people in your area are careful for one another. I wish we could be more like that. The drivers are just in a big hurry to get to whereever they have to go, and they don't look out for bike riders. Thanks for the compliment on my Hub. I appreciate that! See you again, soon...
Good advice. At the moment no bike but perhaps in the spring. We have annoying car drivers who always have a mobile pasted to their ears so to say and they are the most dangerous for bikers around Riga.
Good morning, Gypsy Rose Lee, thanks for reading and commenting on my Hub about bicycle safety. Is it too cold there in Latvia to ride your bike? People listening to music, etc. through headphones is a real danger. I also see people talking and texting on the cell phones, and that's dangerous too. See you again, soon, I hope.
A brilliant hub mary that very many should read and remember.
Here's to so many more to share on here.
Take care
Eddy.
Hi, Eddy! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my Bicycle Safety Hub. I always look forward to hearing from you, friend!
arusho 4 months ago
Good hub, I agree with everything, except your picture of the motorcycle, you're just talking about bicycles right? You should link to my hub about cyclists and how to wear a helmet..Good job!