Pedaling to safety

Making sure his helmet is in place and light on, AJ Brenn, Garden City senior, gears up for his occasional nighttime bike ride.  Brenn usually bikes through only 8 miles of the 53.5 miles of on-road designated bike routes. 

            With safety as a top priority Brenn knows a helmet, a back flasher and front light at night are a necessity if he decides to bike on road. With a total of 126.9 miles of bike trails and bike lanes, the safety of bicyclists and other automobiles on the road is the most important thing to recognize.

            "I bike on a regular basis, not like hardcore or anything.  It just keeps me in shape and I enjoy it," Brenn said.  "Besides it's another way to get around."

            With Lawrence being a bike-friendly city, the safety regulations of bicyclists, which are the same as all vehicles, are strongly enforced to create a safe road for all motorists.  Although bicyclists and other motorists tend to bump heads when it comes down to the black and white of the issue, following the laws and safety requirements will keep all motorists safe.

            Since it is required in the city of Lawrence to register your bicycle, as you would a car, bicyclists are well aware of the laws and rules they are to obey.  Yet to the surprise of many cyclists the safety regulations, fines, and violations are the same as all other motor vehicles.

            "[The number of bicyclists] has increased over the years, we think more people are inclined to use them versus cars to save money," Schuyler Bailey, KU public safety captain said.  "But, people are surprised to find running a stop sign on a bike costs them $130, same as cars."

While there are a climbing number of bicyclists on city roads each year, partially because of rising gas prices, the KU commuting population is climbing, increasing the risks of accidents in both places.

"I definitely think campus is the riskiest place to ride," Sunflower Outdoor and Bike employee Peter Montecuollo said.  "There is so much activity, motorcycles, mopeds, other bicycles, buses, people on feet; people come zooming around buses, and no one pays attention."

Since there are always a few bicyclists that are careless when it comes to following laws, motorists are noticing unsafe cyclists on the street, slowing traffic and causing problems which creates aggression amongst motorists. 

            "I hate when there are bicyclists on the street next to me when I'm driving, honestly sometimes I just want to hit them," sophomore Rachel Horewitch said.  "They should just ride on the sidewalk."

            Although some drivers would prefer bicyclists to reserve their pedaling for sidewalks it is illegal in downtown Lawrence, and according to Montecuollo unsafe in other parts.  According to Lawrence Bicycle Laws, it is unlawful for anybody to ride on a sidewalk within 100 feet of any business or store, or any other designated place.

            "There are irritated drivers, but you get less if you follow the rules, if you obey traffic laws they respect you," Montecuollo said.  "Courteous bicyclists have fewer problems with furious drivers, I mean I even get upset at people who ride wide or don't signal, but if [bicyclists and other motorists] following the laws there is mutual respect."

            As the number of bicyclists on the streets increase, there is always a heightened chance for an accident, but contrary to popular belief bicyclists are not big factors in accidents.  According to Bailey thus far this year, there have been seven bike citations, six for stop sign violation and one for inattentive riding (causing an accident) and there have been two accidents involving bikes, with one minor injury.

            "There are actually comparatively few accidents involving bicyclists but when there are they are very serious," Bailey said.  "Just this past year by Chi Omega Fountain a car had stopped and the bicyclist didn't notice and he went right through the back window."

            To protect safety of all motorists it is necessary to follow all laws and although not a law in Kansas, according to Montecuollo wearing a helmet is necessary for cyclists to stay safe and avoid serious injuries if involved in an accident.

            "Imagine, at any speed really, your head hitting an object; head trauma is easy to get and the only way to protect yourself from it is a helmet," Montecuollo said. 

With the top priority of the city and KU police department keeping all motorists safe from tragedies it is necessary for all motorists to follow the laws of the road to stay safe.

            "Obey the law," Bailey said.  "It's really that simple."

For more information about bicycle safety regulations and laws visit the Kansas Bicycle Safety guidelines website.

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