Light Up at Night: Share the Road Safety Task Force October message

As daylight hours grow shorter, cyclists and pedestrians should consider ways to light themselves up when out after dark. Wearing reflective clothing, leg or arm bands or adding a light can greatly increase their visibility and reduce the risk of being struck by a motorist.

The Share the Road Safety Task Force, a regional group of bicycle and pedestrian advocates, transportation experts and local government representatives, was created in 2006 in response to this alarming rate of cyclist- and pedestrian-related crashes and fatalities in the region. The task force aims to educate the public, encourage biking and walking as forms of transportation, and enforce the laws relating to cyclists, pedestrians and motorists sharing the road.

The task force has identified simple steps that motorists, pedestrians and cyclists can take to practice safe habits on the roadways.

Cyclists:
* Wear light colored or reflective clothing
* Use a white head light and red rear reflector on your bike – it's the law
* Obey all traffic laws, signs and signals
* Always ride with the flow of traffic

Motorists:
* Reduce speed when passing bicyclists
* Give bicyclists a minimum of 3 feet distance when you pass
* Don't blast your horn when approaching cyclists – startling them can cause an accident

Pedestrians:
* Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections whenever possible.
* Be aware of your surroundings – watch for vehicles turning or backing out of parking spaces and driveways
* Use pedestrian pushbuttons to activate/extend the walk signal. Never enter a crosswalk when a signal displays a solid or flashing "Don't Walk" message
* Use sidewalks. If there are none, walk facing traffic so you see vehicles, and drivers see you

For more information about regional Kansas City area efforts regarding safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, visit sharetheroadkc.com.