Cycling safety tips in KCStar

With at least five bicyclists killed in the Kansas City area this year, cycling safety is a hot topic. An articel today in the KCStar has some good tips:

. . . cyclists don't do enough to make themselves visible.

Her suggestions: There should be a blinking taillight on the bike visible from at least a half mile away. Law requires headlights and taillights after dark and before dawn. . . .

"If you want to be treated like a motorist, you have to act like a motorist," said Kansas City police Sgt. Steven Seward, a former instructor with the International Police Mountain Bike Association. . . .

Stop at all stop signs and street lights. Use extra caution at intersections. . . .

It's important to understand that bicycling is not an extraordinarily dangerous activity. Bicycling is about as dangerous as driving a car. And bicycling has a health benefit that outweighs the risk by a factor of 20-to-1, while car driving has no known health benefit to balance against its risk.

And, by following the rules of the road, cyclists can make their ride much, much safer.

In other words--bicycle safety isn't some mysterious voodoo. You, the cyclist, are very much in control of your own safety.

Most fatalities and serious injuries this year in the Kansas City area have fallen under two, easily avoidable, problem areas:

• Running stop signs. This is most typical way children get involved in car-bike accidents. Teach kids to STOP at every stop sign, and at the end of every driveway, and WAIT until the way is clear.
  
  
• Driving in the dark with no lights or insufficient lights. The reflectors that come as standard equipment on bicycles are not enough. Reflectors are very bright in specific situations, but fail to work in far too many common situations to rely on them. Install bright lights both front and rear, or just don't ride in the dark.

Following these two simple rules would have avoided about 80% of serious accidents in Kansas City this year . . .