From the Arizona Herald, but good advice for this time of year when biking. Safety first! http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/2009/10/07/20091007cr-bikes1007asfc.html

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By October, as the weather cools, Chandler police see an uptick in the number of bicyclists on the road, and not all of them know the rules. Officer Dan McQuillin, who is assigned to the department’s bike unit, said new riders often don’t educate themselves before taking to the road, and that can lead to dangerous results.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES THAT LEAD TO ACCIDENTS?

Riding on the wrong side of road on the sidewalk, when you’re crossing a private drive. Someone will pull up to sidewalk, look for traffic in the direction traffic would be coming, only to encounter a cyclist coming from the opposite direction. Riders could risk anything from getting knocked off the bicycle, to bumps and bruises, to fatalities.

WHAT SHOULD BICYCLISTS DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES?

Always wear your helmet. That’s probably the one safety piece that is going to have the most benefit for you because as long as you protect your head, you can survive a lot of trauma. Also, use eyewear because if you get something in your eye, you still have to ride the bicycle. . . . Also, for kids, it’s highly recommend to have shin guards, helmet, gloves. For the commuter, always wear eyewear and a helmet. . . . The other thing they can do is follow traffic laws and know traffic laws.

WHAT SHOULD MOTORISTS DO TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS?

Pay attention. Turn your head to look in blind spots because bicyclists can sneak right up next to you in the curb lane. On most major streets, there are bicycle lanes, so another common accident is caused by making a right turn with the cyclist is in the bike lane next to you. It’s the same as watching for motorcyclists; they have every right to be there.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR RIDING AT NIGHT?

At nighttime, when riding, state law requires a white light in the front visible for 100 feet and at least a red reflector on rear, but it’s recommended to have a red light. Bike stores and big-box stores like Walmart and Target usually have a package deal for $10 to $20 for both. It’s very affordable.

Tags: Bicycle, bicycles, gloves, helmets, road, safety

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