Who Rules the Road: Cyclists or Cars?
As the summer once again approaches, you’ll probably see an increased number of people riding their bicycles to get around versus using their cars. However, due to the slumped economy, the number of people who are now riding their bikes to work has gone up significantly in the past year. This should be viewed as a great thing. After all, people are saving hundreds of dollars in gasoline expenses while they get much needed exercise. It’s a win-win, right? Unfortunately, many motorists are annoyed at the fact that cyclists seem to be taking over “their” roadways.
The result?
There is a steadily growing correlation between the increased number of cyclists on the roadways versus the number of accidents involving cyclists and motorists. Last year, MSNBC published a story on this battle between bikes and cars. So then the question becomes, who is at fault? With the surge in cyclists hitting the street, could it be that inexperienced cyclists are the cause of accidents, or are the motorists to blame for not being more considerate? Cyclist advocates claim that motorists don’t know how to share the roadways or simply don’t want to share the roadways as Kirk Hendricks, director of advocacy for the group of Idaho Cycling Enthusiasts put it:
…people don’t know how to share the road with cyclists. Drivers need to know that we have as much right as an automobile even though we’re not as big.
According to Pam Fischer, director of the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety, twelve cyclists in New Jersey were killed in 2007 due to motor vehicle crashes. The bottom line remains the same: drivers of automobiles need to remember that driving is a privilege, not a right. Both drivers and cyclists need to remember the rules of the road as well as be aware of each other. If you do plan to dig your bike out of the shed, you should first make sure that you know the proper safety precautions and rules of engagement while riding. Take a look at the short video below to see what I mean:
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[...] to get their cars from place to place as well as carpooling and other forms of exercise such as riding their bicycles to work, walking or running. In my opinion, the automotive industry tanking is, perhaps, one of [...]