Message to Area Bicyclists: Follow the Safety Rules for all Bikes including E-Bikes
The fact that there are more opportunities for cyclists and bike lanes on our area streets should be a positive thing. However, there are some people who ride bikes in reckless ways, which put everyone in danger. Many do not follow simple safety rules.
As a driver, I observe this on many occasions. Just recently there was a person riding a bike who changed lanes suddenly and went to the other side of the street to talk to someone who was stopped at a traffic light, without any regard for the other drivers behind him or waiting for a green light.
People who ride like this should be given a ticket if they are observed by the police. The following are some suggestions that I hope that those who ride bikes will follow so that everyone can be safe on the city streets. This is even more important with the spring and summer months ahead.
Do not talk or text on your phone while riding your bike. I see this all the time and the person who is on the phone is not paying one bit of attention to where they are going.
Do not change lanes suddenly without trying to see if there is a car behind you. Please do not stop to have a conversation in the middle of traffic with another driver.
If you ride your bike at night, please wear reflective or light clothing so that you can be seen by drivers. Many of our streets have poor lighting and it is hard to see someone who is wearing dark clothing.
Put a light on the back of your bike so that you can be seen.
Do not put people on the front handles on your bike with young children. People do this all the time without recognizing the danger. Also, do not allow anyone to ride on the back of your bike standing up.
Wear a helmet. Our bodies are not made of steel, and you can have a serious injury if you are hit by a car and you do not have a helmet. This goes for children and adults.
Please stay in the bike lanes. This is what they are made for. Do not sway from side to side while riding a bike.
Watch out for the presence of potholes that can cause serious accidents. They seem to be all over the place. Report them when you see them.
Now there is also another danger for drivers and anyone on our local roads and that is the threat from dirt bikes and ATVs with young people doing wheelies, riding in and out of traffic and riding on sidewalks and causing chaos without regard for anyone else on the roads of our city.
They present a danger to drivers and pedestrians alike. Use common sense when riding any kind of bike. Adhere to the speed limit. We have seen a number of accidents and roll over car crashes in recent months. Happy Spring and Stay Safe!!