Walking and bicycling are good for your health. You burn calories and build muscle every time you walk or ride. In addition to the health benefits, you avoid traffic congestion, save fuel costs and help the environment. Staying safe on the road, whether you are the driver, the pedestrian or the cyclist benefits you and your road companions.
Injuries and Fatalities
According to the National Biking and Walking Study, pedestrians and bicyclists are safer now than 15 years ago. Fatalities among walkers and cyclists have dropped from “15.3 percent in 1995 to 13.6 percent in 2008.” Over the past 15 years, the number of injuries among pedestrians and cyclists has also dropped by 17.8 and 14.7 percent, respectively. This decrease in fatalities and injuries occurred despite the fact that more people are riding bikes and walking. The study does caution that there may be more injuries and fatalities due to the discrepancies in state reporting standards.
Bicycle Safety
When you ride your bicycle, stay safe by following bicycle safety rules. According to the League of American Bicyclists, you should obey the same traffic laws as motorists. That includes riding in the same direction as traffic and following all traffic signs and signals. Wear brightly colored clothes so you are visible to motorists. If you ride at night, use a front and rear light and wear reflective tape. Ride in a manner that is predictable to motorists. Don’t weave in between cars, watch motorists carefully and avoid riding on the sidewalk. Always wear a helmet.
Pedestrian Safety
Even though the incidence of injury and death among pedestrians has fallen over the years, you must still be diligent when you or someone in your family walks for exercise or transportation. Carefully watch your young child when he walks or plays on the road, as he may be impulsively dart into the road. When you walk, pay close attention to motorists and use sidewalks when available. Walk facing oncoming traffic if no sidewalks are present. Wear brightly colored clothing to make yourself more visible to drivers.
Driver Awareness
When you driving a vehicle, pay close attention to bicyclists and pedestrians. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, children on the roadway are at particular risk due to their small stature and unpredictability. Always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks and use extreme caution when backing up. Give bicyclists plenty of room as you pass so you do not startle the cyclist and cause her to fall. Never honk at bicyclists.
Considerations
Bicyclists, pedestrians and motor vehicles can share the road safely. Educate the people in your family on how to keep everyone safe. Encourage your local government to install bike and walking paths to help prevent injuries. Set a good example for your children when you drive, ride a bike or walk.
References
- National Complete Streets Coalition: Complete Streets Fact Sheets
- U.S. Department of Transportation: The National Bicycling and Walking Study: 15-Year Status Report
- League of American Bicyclists: Five Steps to Riding Better
- walkinginfo.org: Educating Adult Pedestrians
- New York State DMV: Sharing the Road
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