Cyclists and Road Safety By Brenda Williams At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Have you ever been in the car with someone who complains about all the cyclists that they have to share the road with? Have you ever been that person? Or even worse, have you ever been in the same vehicle as someone who has road rage? Perhaps you’ve even been guilty of it.

One of the major causes of car accidents today is the fact that people become distracted or are simply impatient while they drive. We need to always remember that driving is a privilege- not a right. With the price of gas soaring out of control, increasing numbers of people have turned to their bicycles in order to save some cash while working. This is a great idea because it not only encourages people to get out and exercise, but it is also cutting down on the amount of pollution that is out there on the roadways. However, perhaps the vast majority of us need to re-take our driver’s exams again or maybe go back to grade school because we are having the hardest time sharing the roadways with cyclists. In the past year alone, hundreds of cyclists have either been injured or killed. But this isn’t new news. Any serious cyclist will tell you their tales from the road which might include such stories as drivers trying to sideswipe them or throw things at them.

What the big deal with people who ride bicycles? Have you read up on the recent statistics surrounding cyclists and death due to motor vehicle involvement? It would blow your mind. Too many times, I have had “would-be” close encounters as a runner when I was on the college cross country team with drivers who approach a light or stop sign but only look in one direction for oncoming traffic and fail to see the runners or people walking who are trying to cross the street and have the right of way. Thankfully, I (as well as most of my other teammates) were always cautious and waited until the driver either saw us or didn’t to then cross the street. Whether you’re driving, walking or running, always make sure that you share the roadways. If you’re a driver, get rid of unnecessary distractions in your vehicle. If you’re a pedestrian, never walk, run or ride a bike with headphones blaring; it will only lower your awareness to what is going on around you!

Unfortunately, if you are riding a bicycle, most states have rules in place that force “serious” cyclists into the roadways with traffic. You should know that just because you own a bicycle doesn't necessarily mean that you will have to ride with the traffic. In fact, there are plenty of people who are deathly afraid of having to ride their bikes with the traffic. Rather, if you are out for a leisurely bike ride with the family, obviously, you are going to want to stay on the sidewalk (where it is significantly safer for your kids). The sooner cyclists and motorists learn how to get along, the better and safer the roads will be!

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