May is "Bicycle Safety Month"

TAMPA, Fla. – While bicycles are a legitimate form of transportation with laws and regulations established for their use, many riders feel they are not respected by motorists and must fight for their place on the road. In a recent AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey, the majority of Florida bicyclists who ride on the road indicated that being hit by a vehicle was their number one concern (78%), followed by distracted drivers (75%), drivers not seeing them (72%) and being cut off by a driver (64%).

“Traveling on the road requires care and courtesy—whether you are operating a car or a bicycle,” said Amy Stracke, Executive Director of the ACG Traffic Safety Foundation. “Remember, we all have places to go. Let’s share the road so we can all get there safely.”

Every year, hundreds of cyclists are killed and tens of thousands more are injured in preventable crashes. AAA – The Auto Club Group and its Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation ask everyone on the road to make safety a top priority – not just in May, but throughout the year.

Bicyclists

• Ride on the roadway or shared pathways, rather than on sidewalks.

·         Follow the same rules of the road as other roadway users, including riding in the same direction as traffic and following all the same traffic signs and signals.

·         Signal all turns.

·         Wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet every time and on every ride.

·         Be visible by wearing bright colors during the day, reflective gear in low light conditions, and use head and tail lights at night.

·         Remember that respect is a two way street. Show motorists the same courtesy that you expect from them.

Motorists

·         Stay alert - avoid all distractions while driving.

·         Yield to bicyclists when turning.

·         In bad weather, give bicyclists extra passing room, just as you would other motorists.

·         Make a visual check for bicyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.

·         Slow down and give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing.

·         Reduce your speed when passing bicyclists, especially when the road is narrow.

·         NEVER honk your horn at a bicyclist - it could cause them to swerve into traffic or off the roadway and crash.

·         Always check for bicyclists before opening your car door.

Children on bicycles are often unpredictable-expect the unexpected.