Bicycle safety is critical when sharing the road

May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to giving biking a try.

Started by the desire to be outdoors and now reinforced with the high price of driving, more people are turning to bicycling for commuting to work and errands, as well as the mainstays of recreation, family activities, and stress relief.

By May 2020, bicycling was one of the most popular forms of recreation and exercise in cities around the world, reported PeopleForBikes. Americans were riding bikes at unprecedented levels, increased sales of bicycles left store shelves and bike shops critically low of inventory, and cities were closing streets to make way for this surge in bicycling fueled by the pandemic.

A year later, many enthusiasts have permanently embraced bicycling as a way to stay fit, keep active and commute without adding to vehicle pollution. Rising gas prices make bicycling more attractive than ever for trips to the office, grocery store, and meet-ups.

This month is an ideal time to highlight the importance of safety, both by those riding and those driving around them.

Nationally, bicyclists killed in crashes with vehicles increased 36 percent from 2010 to 2018 with most of them occurring among male riders 20 years and older, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Additionally, more than 48,000 cyclists are injured in roadway crashes each year.

While driving was declining in 2020, bicycle and e-bike sales were rising, as well as the popularity of cycling as a socially-distanced means of travel and exercise. Between January and October 2020, bicycle sales increased 62% in the U.S. over the prior year, and e-bikes (batteryand pedal-powered bikes) saw an even greater increase in sales — up 144% year over year, according to NPD group which monitors retail sales trends, AAA wrote.

“As more and more vehicles and bicycles return to the road, it’s extremely important that both motorists and cyclists use extra caution,” said Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “A large percentage of crashes can be avoided if motorists and cyclists follow the rules of the road and watch out for each other.”

Tips for motorists as they share the road with bicyclists include:

• Stay alert and avoid all distractions while driving.

• Yield to bicyclists when turning.

• In bad weather, give bicyclists extra passing room, just as you would other motorists.

• Make a visual check for bicyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.

• Slow down and give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing.

• Reduce your speed when passing bicyclists, especially when the road is narrow.

• Children on bicycles are often unpredictable — expect the unexpected.

But while bicyclists may view themselves as more vulnerable to heavy, large vehicles on the road, there are rules they also need to follow to keep themselves, their fellow motorists, and pedestrians safe:

• Ride on the roadway or shared pathways, rather than on sidewalks.

• Follow the same rules of the road as other roadway users, including riding in the same direction as traffic and following all the same traffic signs and signals.

• Signal all turns.

• Wear a bicycle helmet every time and on every ride. Nearly all bicyclists who died from a collision were not wearing helmets.

• Be visible by wearing bright colors during the day, reflective gear in low light conditions, and use head and tail-lights at night.

Bicyclists riding together in large groups and at trail crossings can be particularly dangerous for motorists as they may move in unpredictable patterns or come into driving lanes without warning.

This month is meant to highlight the pleasures of bike riding and draw attention to safety. Increasing interest in bicycling makes both aspects particularly important. Both motorists and bicyclists can benefit from remembering that respect is a two-way street. Navigate your lane with courtesy and care.