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Show i HILL TOP TIMES Page 10 August 29, 1980 Cyclists care umideirsized, overlooked, ymiprofecfed ' - . - .vvll l - i i i - 4 an unfavorable because the motorist psychological position, outlaw him an as and thinks, "He regards doesn't obey the rules I would be ticketed for, so why should I treat him as an equal?" Another frequent error of cyclists is using the wrong side of the road against the flow of traffic. This increases the chances of being hit because a motorist doesn't expect a bicycle and doesn't look. A driver who is turning right from a side street or driveway will often look to his left for oncoming traffic in the right lane, then pull out without looking to the right. Pedestrians, motorists getting out of a parked car, and other cyclists may also move innocently into the path of the wrong-wa- y cyclist. Making an improper left turn is another very common bicycling error. It is not legal, practical or safe to turn left at an intersection from a position along the far right side of the road. There are two proper ways of making a left turn. One is to move into the left lane, signal your intentions, then make the turn, just as a car would. The more cautious route for high-traffintersections, or young or nervous cyclists, is to cycle straight ahead through the intersection, then cross to the left with the pedestrian "Walk" light.' Excerpted from Family Safety Magazines all Bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds and are great fun, exciting, energy-saving- " dangerous! The cyclist is not only undersized and d and overlooked; he's also Unlike the motorist, he isn't surrounded by a steel shell to shield him from other steel shells or, if his bike capsizes, from g pavement. It doesn't take much speed or impact to merely a slight hlmp or wipe out a cyclist In fact, the door of a parked car sideswipe. if can do him in it's flung open without looking first to see if the coast is clear. Other classic hazards for the cyclist are street gratings and railroad tracks which can trap wheels and send him flying. Loose gravel and even painted yellow lines on the road have been reasons for a lot of spills. I te; 'r'.iNSc under-protecte- over-expose- d. head-splittin- : -- ' if v: ' :!r4 Wi w if W ' , . Inexperience also blamed Always A wak a bke across frocks. V' Inexperience can also be blamed for many cyclists being seriously hurt or even killed. It takes some practice to cycle skillfully. Any cyclist can turn or stop a bicycle, but doing it with maximum speed and minimum space requires a bit of finesse. A number of high schools, colleges and bike clubs offer instructions for anyone who wants ;to refine some techniques. However, the most serious bicycle accidents result not from a lack of skill, but from violations of common sense rules of the road. In most situations, a bicycle driver has the same rights and responsibilities under the law as a motor vehicle driver. But in the eyes of most citizens, the two are completely different. The erratic behavioir of cyclists is to blame. The average motorist probably doesn't see himself locked in conflict with the bicyclist. He may think of a bicycle as a sidewalk toy for kids, or a worrisome annoyance that slows up traffic. Chances are, he doesn't look upon a bike as another vehicle with its right to a place on the road. Motorists will treat you like a motor vehicle if you behave like one, maintaining a straight course and steady speed. If you wobble all over the road, they will react abruptly, honking and giving you a bad time. Running stop lights or making illegal turns (U.S. Air Force Photo) s sfir4,Vk v - ' " vv r 'T J - V the puts cyclist in ic Clothing improves visibility Obviously anything a cyclist can do to make himself more visible will improve his survival d or chances on the road. reflective clothing is a must at night, along with cycle reflectors and lights, but it also comes in useful during the day; and it's vital to consider visibility from the motorist's point of view. A bicycle can be almost invisible to a motorist at dusk, in the motorist's blind spot, or while cycling into the sun, over the crest of a hill, or around a bluff. Under these circumstances, the prudent biker will give the Light-colore- motor vehicles extra clearance. There is little doubt in the years ahead that conveyances will probably quadruple on public highways. Sheer numbers will give the cyclists increased visibility in the eyes of the motorist, but whether they will earn his respect and fair treatment depends largely upon their behavior. two-wheel- r - ed - ist!t& " "' O', XXV s Street cyclists have to watch for gratings that can trap their wheels. To - .,-- - prevent ' , , - . , , . . - iWk. . ' ' .... 1, - . T'-- ri tis, cross of 90 degree angle. (U.S. Air Force Photof ...... ft tVf Mil - |