With spring in the air, the City of Lawrence announces that May is National Bike Month and May 16 – 20 is Bike to Work Week. The City of Lawrence would like to encourage all residents to experience the benefits of bicycling to work during this time and reminds bicyclists and motorists to safely share the road.
Bicycling is an inexpensive, convenient way to stay fit and healthy. The benefits of bicycling to work are numerous:
The annual cost of operating a bike is just 2.5% that of a car. (American Public Transportation Association)
Cycling is a moderate, low-impact, aerobic, physical activity suitable for all age groups. Since 25% of all trips are within a mile of home, it’s ideal to ride a bicycle for good health. (The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety)
Just three hours of bicycling per week can reduce a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke by 50% (League of American Bicyclists)
Cyclists are vehicle operators and have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. When sharing the road with bicycles, be aware that cyclists are less visible and quieter than other road users and more vulnerable.
The City of Lawrence recommends the following for motorists to help keep everyone safe:
- Yield to pedestrians and cyclists.
- Never pass and turn across the path of a moving bicyclist. Slow down and turn behind the cyclist.
- Allow at least three feet of passing space between you and the bicycle.
- Do not blast your horn when approaching a bicyclist – you may startle him/her.
- Do not accelerate to pass cyclist when approaching a stop sign.
- Bicyclists must also follow the rules of the road including these additional tips for safety:
- Obey all traffic rules, signals and stop signs.
- Use head and tail lights at night and always wear your helmet!
- Do not ride on downtown sidewalks.
- Never ride more than two abreast.
- Always ride with the flow of traffic.
- Always use hand signals when turning.
- Do not ride with headphones.
For more information visit: www.lawrenceks.org/share_the_road.
The Lawrence-Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) has recently worked to actively talk to bicyclists in the community and have been fitting bicycle helmets on children in April and May. Members attended the Baker Community Wellness Festival/Health Fair and assisted in fitting 155 children with helmets sponsored by Safe Kids Douglas County and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical.
The BAC had a table at Earth Day where members solicited comments about bicycling in the community. These comments will be used by the BAC to gauge support and develop programs to improve bicycling in Lawrence and Douglas County.
BAC members will be volunteering their time to assist with helmet fittings at two upcoming events – the LDCFM Helmet Fair on April 30 at the University of Kansas Spring Game and the Eudora Bicycle Safety Fair on May 7th.
Have you seen a copy of our Lawrence Bicycle Rideability Map? Pick one up at City Hall or view it online at www.lawrenceks.org/pds/bikemap.
The City of Lawrence is also recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle Friendly Community at the Bronze Level since 2004. This designation is one with real meaning — it is difficult to earn and important to renew. For more information visit www.lawrenceks.org/pds/tr-bike.
To help in keeping kids safe while cycling, local youth can get a free helmet at the April 30 Helmet Fair. Children must be present at the fair to receive a helmet and be fitted because proper fit is important to the effectiveness of a helmet. By wearing helmets while biking or on other wheels, serious head injuries can be reduced by as much as 85-percent.
