OCR Text |
Show Editorial Thoughts To (Qirls? E3ah, To Bicycles f In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of bicycles. As the sun begins to bring some warmth to the frozen land, crocuses bring forth first oilor, daffodils and tulips are bright against foundations and bicycles erupt from every garage on the street. WITH THEIR first spring enthusiasm, young people on bicycles are apt to be concerned with friends, destinations, destina-tions, accompanying dogs, but not with traffic Extra caution needs to be remembered both for the young cyclists and for motorists if tragedy is to be avoided. Bicycles are wheeled vehicles and are required to follow the same traffic regulations as do automobiles. NATIONWIDE in 1972 there were 50,000 injuries and 1,100 deaths in bike-related accidents reported. There is no reason to expect these statistics to decline this year but everyone concerned (which we should all be) must impress upon young bicyclists the need to obey traffic regulations. Bicycles have enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in recent years as the cost of gasoline has forced parents to think twice before they take the kids to their appointments appoint-ments in the car. A bicycle is inexpensive transportation as well as fine recreation and excellent exercise. It can also be a lethal vehicle when safety rules are ignored. STUDIES HAVE shown that approximately 25 percent of bike accidents in the United States are caused bv bicycles in bad repair and 75 percent of bike-motor accidents ac-cidents occur because the cyclist violates traffic rules Causes for bicycle-motor vehicle accidents are manv but the majority fall into a few most often repeated ca tegories. If cyclists and motorists will both remember these causes and use extra caution when these situations occur, the number of accidents can be greatly reduced RIDING DOUBLE on bicycles is both l foolish, and almost everyone who owns a bicyi . rk at some time. In this situation, the driver laws L and the extra passenger lacks a secure seat. emergency arises, it is difficult to react. I(f: jjy Many bikes lack safety equipment such g brakes, head lamps and rear reflectors. ftA ONE OF the most dangerous places for a W1' M? is passing a parked car too close and bump e suddenly opened door. The rule here is to stay t m away from parked cars to allow for open o00". t' k Some safety rules outlined by the National yL Safety Councils are: .5 MjU. DRIVE WITH the traffic, not against it. (Many JJS ride against the traffic, thinking they are.P ffly because they can see oncoming cars, but consi t were hit by a car from behind it would be H a V. hitting a wall at top speed, but in a headon col .111 would be like hitting a wall going at tne SP" 'J bicycle and the automobile combined.) S 3ii Turn at intersections using the same hand 6 ; lanes as an automobile. Use pedestrian lane5 for walking and pushing bikes. Drive single ( (((t. B for your own back yard, but has no place rf a and other hazards. fmcludl0! k KEEP A safe distance behind all "ej'm to" JO other bikes). When riding at night " lt,e!rol flvT light colored clothing, have a white ligM utah. A1)J a danger signal on the back. This is a law i Pedestrians have the right of way. Avro cuJ might rupture tires. Don't try to ride up ar , except at very slow speed. Trick riding : for your own back yard, but hasnc. bfe tiff" ' W) bicycle can be "one of the most enjoy vehicles, but only if it is used properly- JN |