Bike To Work Day brings focus to commuter bike concerns

Photo by Velo Steve

Today's high winds will present a challenge to cyclists celebrating Twin Cities Bike/Walk to Work Day. But regular bike commuters know that the weather is not the only challenge faced by two wheelers who share the road on their daily drive. Cathy Wurzer, host of Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Edition, talked to Shaun Murphy about commuter bike concerns.  Murphy coordinates planning for non-motorized transportation for the City of Minneapolis.

According to Wurzer, there has been a 30 percent increase in the number of cyclists in Minneapolis and even though 13 cyclists died on the roads last year, there has been a 20 percent decrease in the number of crashes since the 1990's. According to Murphy, with more cyclists on the roads, motorists see and expect to see cyclists now more than ever. When asked who is usually at fault for most collisions, Murphy said that it is a shared responsibility. "It's about half and half", he says. Motorist mistakes often happen at intersections when drivers are making turns, particularly left turns. Cyclist errors occur when bikers don't follow the normal traffic rules that they are required to follow when sharing the road with vehicles.

Currently, the City of Minneapolis has 40 miles of commuter bike lanes. That will increase to 80 miles of commuter bike lanes over the next two years, in part to get cyclists off the sidewalks and on to the road where they are more visible to cars. The controversial bike lane down the center of Hennepin Avenue will be moving to First Avenue, although a bike lane will be maintained on the right side of Hennepin.

While bike accidents on city roads are a significant concern, accidents on parkway paths and on the popular bike trail system also present a danger to cyclists. Although it is rarely enforced, the bike paths which circle the city lakes have a speed limit of 10 mph. On the Greenway and Cedar Lake Trail, however, cyclists can and do travel at speeds of over 25 mph. At those speeds, collisions can be serious. Just last week, a good friend of mine crashed while trying to avoid an oncoming cyclist and broke his hip, pelvis and injured both his shoulder and elbow. These incidents are too common. For the safety of all cyclists keep these basic safety rules in mind when riding the bike trails:

• Always ride on the right and pass on the left.
• When passing another rider, signal your intention with an audible "on your left!" so that they can drop back and allow you to pass.
• Many sections of the Luce Line, Greenway, and Cedar Lake trails have curves and hills which don't allow cyclists to see oncoming bike traffic. Riding two abreast is risky on these sections and not recommended.
• If you must ride two abreast, you are responsible for getting out of the way of oncoming traffic. Either drop back behind your fellow rider or pass him so that you are single file when an oncoming rider approaches.
• Never expect another rider to anticipate your intentions. Always assume that it is your job to get out of the way and be prepared to do so.
• Ride safely but defensively.
• Many parts of the trail system weave through neighborhoods and past parks. Be prepared to stop for children, pets, balls and other distractions which may cross the paths.