[B’ Spokes: I’m sorry but I’ve about had it with in the name of safety lets put the minor things first and not mention major things. So with my usual sarcastic flair lets flip things around….
"In order to improve driving safety lets do away with drivers ed classes and as long as people drive with a functioning car horn, have a rear view mirror, head lights and wear seat belts lives will be saved."
Come on now, no one thinks like this for driving a car so why then is it valid for riding a bike? Too many people think that it is cyclists duty to behave like a Jack-in-the-Box, that is stay hidden from car traffic as much as possible and then suddenly pop out at intersections. Too many people think that riding head first into oncoming traffic is safer. And I’m sorry but wearing a helmet, having a bell, rear view mirror and lights is not really going to help if you insist on riding like that.
We need to bring back bicycle safety education to the elementary schools, we need to inform motorists that cyclists are safer being apart of traffic and should not weave in and out of parked cars or on and off sidewalks but maintain a proper position in the travel lane. Cyclist are less of an inconvenience to faster traffic then mass transit vehicles and deliver trucks. I’m sorry but preventing accidents by cyclists riding safe really does help to limit everyone’s inconvenience both for cyclists and car drivers.
So if you are a cyclists and want to learn more on how to ride safely we have collected a few links here to get you started:
https://www.baltimorespokes.org/links/index.php?category=Must+read+for+bike+safety
My comments on the articles points:
1) Audible signaling device: Personally I find my voice as effective and a lot easier to activate in a crises situation. If you have time to activate a horn, you have time to avoid an accident but if you feel differently look into "Air Zound." But this is totally inappropriate for use on trails where use of a bell is much preferred over horns and voice by other trail users.
2) A rear-view mirror: With proper lane position when going straight there is no use for a mirror, when changing lanes or road positions a glance over your shoulder is not only more effective in seeing what’s coming up on your rear it also acts a signal to drivers on what your intentions are. So a glancing over your shoulder improves your safety and reliance on mirrors is rather risky. (Though I’ll note I do ride with mirrors but I do not rely on them.)
3) A headlamp. If you ride at night in the city under street lights a flashing mode headlight is good, otherwise ask in our forums what’s a good light for riding as too many lights in the bike shops are junk.
4) A taillamp: If you ride at night at least a "Planet Bike Superflash" and again too many lights in the bike shops are junk.
5) A helmet. You are far more likely to live longer and be healthier if you ride then if you don’t ride. If wearing a helmet is going to keep you off the bike then leave the helmet at home.]
The article that go me all riled up: https://www.marylandmotorcycleaccidentlawyerblog.com/2010/02/baltimore_bicycle_accident_upd.htmloldId.20100625111552715
Biking in Baltimore