Bike To Work Week Highlights Cycling Safety
San Francisco, Ca - May 6 - May 17-21 marks Bike to Work Week
, a nation-wide initiative to decrease our carbon footprint, alleviate traffic congestion and advance the healthy lifestyles of working Americans.
But Bike to Work Week also serves to highlight a critical need: to increase the safety of bicyclists in our automobile-oriented society.
"Not do only our cities' roads and road infrastructure need improvements to ensure cycling safety, but work needs to be done to educate both drivers and cyclists of how to safely share the road with each other," notes James Ghofulpo, the director of BiketoWorkWeek.org.
In 2008 alone, there were 719 fatalities and 52,000 injuries due to car/bike collisions in the U.S.Ghofulpo and cycling legend Levi Leipheimer have compiled the following list of methods that cyclists and drivers can implement to dramatically reduce those grim figures:
For Cyclists:
Wear identification:Leipheimer wears a Road ID bracelet on every ride. Road ID products are simple, affordable laser-engraved identifications that can provide life-saving information to first responders.
Make yourself seen:Maximize your visibility by wearing bright or reflective apparel designed specifically for bikers.Ride in a safe, predictable manner, and always, always use a helmet.
Obey all traffic laws:Stop at stoplights and stop signs.Signal your turns.Ride as far to the right as you can.They're simple rules to follow, and they're meant for your safety.
Outfit & maintain your bike:Front and rear lights are essential, as are reflectors - don't be afraid to turn on your lights even in the daytime.And make sure to maintain your bike so that it functions safely.
For Drivers:
See cyclists: The most common reason for accidents is drivers simply not noticing bike riders.On all non-freeway routes, expect to see and share the road with bikers.
Share the road: Bicycles are "vehicles" too, and are entitled to use all roadways except for freeways.State laws differ, but most vehicle codes mandate that you pass cyclist with room to spare and only when it is safe.
Curb the rage: Bikes are legally allowed to whiz past you in traffic (on the right).Don't hate them, join them (on a bike!).
Pass with care: One of the most common accidents involve a car overtaking a bike and turning in front of them.Err on the side of caution, slow down and let a cyclist through an intersection before you make your turn.
Bike to Work Week is a regionally-based advocacy initiative that encourages bicycle commuting and bicycle awareness.Held annually in May, the event focuses on using bicycles as an alternative to automotive transportation to foster health, reduced traffic, improved air quality, and enjoyment of the outdoors.
To arrange interviews with Levi Leipheimer or James Ghofulpo or for information on regional cycling data, please contact Gordon Wright at 415.561.6266.
by:David Morgan.
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