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Cars crash into riders at a 2008 road race
It's Memorial Day weekend, the official start of summer! For many folks it's time to dust off bikes and other outdoor gear to celebrate the impending warm-weather fun. Unfortunately, it's also the weekend when auto accidents spike, which naturally concerns cyclists who share the roads.
I wrote earlier about the May 20 The Ride of Silence which honored area cyclists injured or killed by cars in the past year. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia offers details of on their blog of cyclists killed by cars in 2008, including names and locations of accidents.
As this article will attest, not all drivers are looking out for your safety. While many drivers tolerate cyclists, an alarming number consider them subhuman pests.
Cars, however, are not the cyclist's sole nemesis. Often, we're our own worst enemies. For example, riding without a brain bucket (helmet) leaves cyclists open to risk of serious head injury. One visit to the head trauma unit of a rehab hospital should convince anyone of the potential disasters naked pates pose. Many cyclists rail against reckless drivers while they themselves are reckless, insisting that wearing helmets inhibits their freedom. (More likely, it's an imperiled hairstyle.)
The site Commuter Outrage offers an interesting spin on the helmet issue. Riding without a helmet is like jaywalking in midtown Manhattan during rush hour. One of these days, you're going to be a hood ornament.
Parents have a responsibility to inculcate their children with safety skills. Good habits begin early, so making safety a mandatory part of a child's introduction to riding will instill lifelong habits. Many parents find that their kids end up reminding them to don their helmets prior to a ride. Make sure that helmets are ANSI or Snell approved for optimum protection. Check with your health insurance plan to see if they offer rebates on cycling helmets.
Sure, helmets are kind of dorky. But so is drooling on yourself because you've lost half your motor skills in a crash. Here's wishing you and yours a safe and fun holiday weekend.
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For more info: Bicycle Coalition Blog and the League of American Bicyclists
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