“We encourage bicycling as a great way to get to work, get in shape or just have fun, and encourage a ‘safety first’ mentality for all who share America’s roads,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Whether it’s drivers who keep an eye out for cyclists, or cyclists who wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road, putting safety first will save lives and reduce injuries for everyone.”
NHTSA statistics show that in 2012, 726 bicyclists were killed and an additional 49,000 were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes, an increase of 6 percent from 2011 (682). The average age of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes was 43. The vast majority of these deaths occurred in urban areas (69 percent) and at non-intersections (60 percent) and involved mostly male riders (88 percent). About half of these fatalities (48 percent) occurred from 4:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
“Our agency is committed to increasing safe riding behaviors among bicyclists, and heightening awareness and personal responsibility among motorists and others about safely sharing the road with bicyclists,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman. “All cyclists should always wear their helmets, as it is the most effective way to prevent head injury in a crash.”
This safety message is being kicked off as the agency joins the League of American Bicyclists and other bicycle advocacy groups and highway safety organizations across the country in celebrating May as National Bike Month.
NHTSA offers bicyclists the following “safety first” tips:
Wear a properly-fitted helmet that meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards.
Check your bike before heading out: check all equipment and parts for proper fit and function, including tires, brakes, handlebars and seats.
Ride as a vehicle on the road; always travel in the same direction as traffic.
Obey traffic signs, signals and lane markings; signal all turns; and follow local laws.
Be predictable by riding in a straight line and use hand signals at every lane change or turn. Look ahead for traffic and obstacles.
Be visible: wear bright colors, reflective materials and lights on your bicycle at night.
Ride focused and alert: don’t use electronic devices, and never ride impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Drivers of motor vehicles must share the road with bicyclists:
Respect designated bicycle lanes.
Allow at least three feet clearance when passing a bicyclist on the road.
Look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space.
Yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals.
Look for cyclists when making turns, either left or right.
Never drive distracted or impaired. Always buckle up.
Make sure to use the above pictured bike lane from no where to no where.
Photo shows average, maximum, and minimum number of bike riders in underpass lane since it was installed and then painted day-go green.
…sorry, Day-Glo.
I pass that bike lane at least twice a day. I’ve done that since it opened. I have NEVER seen anyone using it. I assume it gets some use, but not that I have ever seen.
And while your at it, be real careful trying to avoid the other cars/drivers who, just like you, are trying to figure out how the hell to navigate the driving lanes.
Another shining example of the terrible trio bulldozing ahead in spite of public pleas to cease and desist. They absolutely do not care what we think and they absolutely love to spend our money recklessly.
Well, the three amigos should be made to use the bike lanes during busy times. Al Pucciarelli, at a council meeting some months ago, after lane was completed , told us to “divert our route from the bike bath at the Duck Pond,” and use the new bike path under train.
Don’t you think he should.
I have never seen anyone use that bike lane.
What bike lane?
Are you talking about the green “Right Turn Lane” ?
I thought they painted it green for the environment.
Hey don’t you dare criticize this wonderful project. Roberta will get mad at you because CHRIS CHRIS CHRIS, her crush Chris Rutishauser, designed and bulldozed ahead with this project. If you criticize it Roberta will put a hex on you.
That white plastic bag sitting on the incline next to it is starting to look like it actually belongs there.
This “bike path” is a monument to the ineptitude of our Council majority. Anyone that ever had any thought about running for Council should do so now because they’d win.
Love it 1:22pm – bike lane to no where – going no where! Perfect