By Peter and Tracy Flucke
Special to The Press Times
BROWN COUNTY – Spring has sprung, and you’re no doubt itching to go for a walk or take your bicycle for a spin.
There’s no better way to get some much-needed fresh air and enjoy the warm weather after being cooped up all winter.
We’re right there with you, but before you go, make sure you’re doing it right.
Last year was a tough one because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some good things did come out of it, including more people walking and bicycling.
If you were one of those who started to walk and bicycle again, keep it up.
No one goes for a bicycle ride or a walk thinking they’ll be injured.
There is no doubt being active is good for us.
The mental and physical benefits are tremendous, especially in times of stress.
If you’re like us, bicycling and walking are part of your identity and bring you great happiness.
Bicycling and walking are safe, particularly when you do them correctly.
However, they are not without their risks, especially when motor vehicles are involved.
Fortunately, how bicycle and pedestrian crashes with motor vehicles happen are predictable, and therefore, preventable.
But, before you go out the next time, consider and follow the safety tips below, and remember, “It’s safer, it’s courteous and it’s the law.”
Bicyclists
- If you don’t do it in your car, don’t do it on your bike.
- Yield the right-of-way when entering the road.
- Always ride in the same direction as other vehicular traffic.
- Stop, and then yield the right-of-way at stop signs and red signals.
- Signal turns in advance and show clear intent.
- Make turns from appropriate lane positions and yield the right-of-way.
- Wear bright colors and a helmet.
- Turn your lights on at night and wear retro-reflective gear.
Pedestrians
- Look before you leap.
- Use sidewalks and trails when available.
- Walk facing traffic.
- Cross streets at intersections.
- Use crosswalks – step into the crosswalk, extend a hand, look left-right-left, make eye contact with motorist and cross when safe.
- Obey all traffic control devices.
- Yield the right-of-way when crossing mid-block.
- Wear bright colors, use a flashlight and retro-reflective gear at night.
Motorists
- Yield to pedestrians and treat bicycles as the vehicles they are.
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Share the road with bicyclists.
- Yield the right-of-way when entering the road and making turns.
- Stop, look left-right-left, then yield the right-of-way at stop signs and red signals.
- Pass bicyclists with a minimum of 3 feet.
- Obey speed limits.
- Don’t drive distracted (cell phone) or impaired (drugs/alcohol).
Remember, there are inherent risks in everything we do, including walking and bicycling.
Be safe, know how to avoid the risks and, above all, have fun.
Editor’s notes: Peter and Tracy Flucke are authors of the book “Coast to Coast on a Tandem” and owners of WE BIKE, etc., a national bicycle and pedestrian consulting business based in Ashwaubenon. Send questions to [email protected].