• 12
  • May
    2010

The tragic death of Huntsville biking advocate Sharon Baylor on May 9 highlights the need for both bicyclists and motorists to focus on safety. Baylor, who was on a group ride on Saturday the 9th, was killed in a bicycle-truck accident on Tennessee Highway 274. The accident investigation is not yet complete, but police have no plans to file any charges against the driver.

In conjunction with this weekend's second annual Mayor's Bike Ride in Huntsville, Huntsville's Bicycle Advisory and Safety Committee will set up tents with information about what is being done to make our streets more bike-friendly and to prevent car accidents. Bayler, who was past president of the Spring City Cycling Club, had served on the committee.

Now is a good time to remind ourselves what steps we can take to make the roads safer for everyone. In a Huntsville Times editorial yesterday, editorial page editor John Peck brought up several good tips to prevent bike-car accidents.

Safety Tips for Bicyclists

  • Bikers have the same rights and follow the same general rules as cars, except on Interstates
  • Bikes are to travel in the right lane, in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic
  • Bikers must obey all traffic signs and signals
  • Lights are required for night riding
  • Use mirrors to monitor traffic behind you
  • Bicyclists should wear helmets and tough, brightly-colored clothing, and should consider reflectors and strobe lights to increase visibility

Safety Tips for Drivers

  • Be actively aware that bikers are out riding and keep an eye out for them
  • Use safe driving habits, such as obeying the speed limit, coming to a full stop at traffic signals, and looking carefully both ways before turning or entering the roadway
  • Avoid distractions such as talking on cell phones or eating in the car
  • Especially on rural roads, don't assume that there is no danger -- even if there were no bikers, you could still encounter a deer, a tractor or a person just around a curve or in a blind spot caused by the sun

Mayor Tommy Battle's 2nd annual Mayor's Bike Ride, a four-mile loop around downtown Huntsville, begins Saturday at 10 a.m.

Related Resources: