| Title: | Bicycling |
| Notice: | Bicycling for Fun |
| Moderator: | JAMIN::WASSER |
| Created: | Mon Apr 14 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 3214 |
| Total number of notes: | 31946 |
I'm rather concerned about the number of cyclists that ride on the
wrong side of the road. The recent discussion on accidents, and
assigning fault has prompted me to finally write an entry on it.
I regularly ride in the S NH area, and hardly a ride goes by that
I don't see cyclists riding against the flow of traffic. For te
most part the offenders ar young kids (10-14) on BMX-type bikes,
but adults are just as bad.
When I was a kid, the cops always came to our school, and gave us
the talk, and showed the filmstrips on how to follow the rules of
the road. If we got caught riding through town on the wrong side
of the road, they'd threaten to "take away our bikes". Is this
the stuff that's been trimmed out of the local budgets? Does anybody
teach safe riding anymore?
You parents out there might want to take a look at how your kids
ride, just to make sure. When I'm coming down Lamb Rd (Hill by
ZK) at about 35 (I wouldn't break the speed limit ;^)) with a car
following on my hip, and there's 3 BMX bike climbing up side by side,
on our side of the road, it's too late for a safety lesson.
You can't be too safe!
JD
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 657.1 | Teach Your Children Well..(please) | MIST::IVERSON | a Brubeck beat in a Sousa world | Tue May 10 1988 16:11 | 25 |
The biggest danger to cyclists is other cyclists. (Besides being
bad public relations for all cyclists.)
The local bike club has managed to get official approval (even a
tiny bit of funding:-) ) for a "Bike Saftey Program" in the State
of Washington implemented through one salaried person and lots of
volunteers giving talks at elementary schools. This was passed
even though bicycles are low on the priority list in the state.
You might try pushing it from the saftey angle for your State through
local clubs.
This is a new program here, so I can't get a feel for the success
rate. It definitely has not *yet* helped the kids at the school
I ride by or meet generally on the road:-)
Of course a bearded adult rider wearing an outfit out of their worst
Sci-Fi nightmare yelling at a small but potentially lethal kid to
ride on the right side and hand pointing to reinforce the point
coming within inches of a head on crash can leave a lasting impression
on a kid (or adult). Hopefully it will get the point across before
they leave a lasting impression on you. ;-)
Thom
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| 657.2 | Safety tips | MEMORY::FRECHETTE | Use your imagination... | Mon Sep 17 1990 12:21 | 45 |
10 little bike riders, in a single line, one swerved out to pass, and
then there were nine.
9 little bike riders, not inclined to wait, one ignored a stop sign, and
then there were eight.
8 little bike riders, out until eleven, one rode without a helmet, and
light and then there were seven.
7 little bike riders, cutting up for kicks, one got too "fancy", and
then there were six.
6 little bike riders, eager and alive, one didn't signal, and then there
were five.
5 little bike riders, hurrying to the store, one dashed out of the
driveway, and then there were four.
4 little bike riders, carefree as can bee, one didn't check his brakes,
and then there were three.
3 little bike riders, distracted by the view, one hit a truck, and then
there were two.
2 little bike riders, having lots of fun, one rode facing traffic, and
then there was one.
But there's 1 little bike rider, who's still alive today, by following
the safety rules, he hopes to stay that way.
Bicycling, always a popular sport, is enjoying a tremendous growth.
Over 75 million people bicycle today. It is no longer just a toy, but
is recognized as a legal vehicle in 50 states. People ride bikes for
fun, fitness, and transportation. But please remember:
o Every minute a cyclist is injured. There are almost 600,000 injuries
each year.
o Three-fourths of all injuries are head related. Wear a helmet.
o In most of the accidents involving a bicycle and a motor vehicle, the
bike rider is at fault.
Governor's traffic safety commitee - Mario Cuomo Governor
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