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SEE.SAFE.SMART: Ride with the Flow to stay safe

Now that the snow has finally melted and hopefully won’t return for several more months, those bike sharrows painted on many of New Ulm’s streets are easier to see. Many people have questions about the purpose of the bike sharrows — and why they are placed where they are on the street.

This month’s SEE.SAFE.SMART. safety campaign message is “We ride with the flow to stay safe,” and it provides the perfect opportunity to answer those questions about bike sharrows and safe bicycling in general.

Q. What exactly are bike sharrows?

A. They are a simple reminder to drivers and bicyclists to share the road. They are used to guide bicyclists on streets that don’t have bike lanes. To be safe, bicyclists should ride with traffic and follow the direction of the arrows on the bike sharrows.

Q. Why are bike sharrows placed where they are?

A. The bike sharrows are placed close to the center of the right driving lane in order to help keep bicyclists out of the “door zone” when cars are parked along the street. If someone in a parked car were to open their car door, a bicyclist needs to be far enough away so they don’t get hit.

Q. Why should bicyclists ride in the street?

A. For people age 10 and older, riding in the street is statistically the safest place to ride. Bicyclists should always ride with the flow of traffic and follow all traffic signs and laws.

Q. What’s one of the most common mistakes that bicyclists make?

A. Too often in New Ulm, we see bicyclists riding against the flow of traffic. That may seem like a good idea because you can keep your eye on traffic and see what is coming at you, but there are several reasons why this is actually a really bad idea:

1. If you are riding against the flow, drivers pulling out of parking lots or driveways, or crossing streets, simply aren’t looking for you. They are looking for traffic coming in their same direction in order to merge. They are going to drive right into you.

2. If you are riding against the flow and you want to make a right-hand turn, you’re essentially doing it from the left lane, and have to cross over another lane of traffic. That makes it similar to a left turn, which is the most dangerous turning manuever.

3. If you are riding against the flow, you will be approached by cars at a much higher relative speed, making it more difficult to get out of their way.

4. If you are riding against the flow, you are breaking the law and can be ticketed for it.

One study published in September 1994 in the Institute of Transportation Engineers Journal documented that it was three times more dangerous to ride against traffic than it is to ride with the flow of traffic.

Q. How can both adults and kids learn more about safe bicycling?

A. To brush up on riding skills — and perhaps develop some new skills — plan to attend the free Earth and Family Fair event (formerly known as the Bike Expo) at the New Ulm Civic Center on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to noon. Among many activities for the whole family, the New Ulm Police Department will conduct a bike rodeo for kids that teaches the rules of road for bicyclists, along with bike safety and handling skills, to those who bring their bikes. ISD #88 Community Education will be bringing their community bike fleet to the event and offer free use of bikes to kids in 4th to 6th grade.

Helmets are required; kids without helmets will not be allowed to participate. Representatives from New Ulm Medical Center’s Courage Kenney Rehab and the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership will be on hand to teach about the seriousness of concussions and how to prevent them (hint: wearing a bike helmet).

Hope to see everyone at the event. Also hope to see a lot less people riding against traffic this summer and instead, going with the flow. Don’t be one of those bicycle riders that drivers dislike. Be seen, be safe and be smart.

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