4 killed, and 1 hit in a month... be careful out there

I was thinking the same thing as I watched the 10pm news. Sad stuff, ain't it?

I wonder how much this has to do with high gas prices and people out riding their bikes who are not as experienced with riding?  Yes, very sad to see this happening.

I ride to work 3 days a week (20 miles each way). I wear a helmet, yellow jacket now that it is getting cooler, and pull a trailer with alot of reflective stuff. I have a headlight, and tail light. Unfortunately I also usually pass a guy at a little before 5 am that is riding with just a reflective vest. Alot of good that will do you when a car is travelling 45 mph. I actually worry more in the afternoon than I do in the afternoon. Not alot of people on cell phones at 5 am. I get comments from people telling me to ride on the sidewalk, but the state law states that it is illegal to ride on a sidewalk in a business district. I have also had 5 people pull through the crosswalk when I have been riding on the sidewalk. I feel safer with a car passing me at 45 mph 3 feet to my left than I do riding down a sidewalk.

I try to be careful, and take my turn at stop signs, and lights. Most of these people are crossing against the light. I read the story about the person in Blaine who got hit, and he crossed highway 65 against a light. I was also talking to my Pastor who is a cyclist, and he just moved up here from Texas. He mentioned, he has never seen so many people riding on the wrong side of the road. I teach my kids you walk against traffic, and you ride with traffic. If you ride correctly, you shouldn't have many problems. Of course, if you have ever checked on the number of cop cars that get hit every year during traffic stops, you will realize nobody is 100% safe.

I will be as careful as the traffic around me.

Lance

Similar to motorcyle deaths, eh?

So true. I refuse to go when people stop at the trail-road intersections on my way to work. The few times I have, someone always seems to be in a hurry and zips around the "nice" car when I am crossing, so I just stop, put my foot down, and wave them through. Sometimes it takes a while, but eventually they get it.

Plus, I have Reelights flashing front and back on my bike whenever I ride, and a PlantBike superflash blinky on the back and a bright headlight in front at night. Oh, and reflective tape all over my helmet.