S.O.S. in this case stands for Save Our Syclists.
I wrote in a blog a few weeks ago that we could pay homage to the three cyclists who lost their lives, and to their companions who have been damaged for the rest of their lives in that well publicized crash by conducting ourselves as drivers to make that crash the very last.
I have been excited to notice that my fellow drivers have that sad crash very much on our minds as we approach cyclists by slowing and overtaking by passing into the opposite lane when safe to do so. This is great that it is happening, but the loss of our fellow citizens is still fresh and very raw. In time the memory will fade and we might be tempted to go back to our old ways. How can we avoid that happening?
It would help for all cyclists to wear some form of clothing that is high visibility with the message "Please give me space!" That will keep the awareness fresh. Another method to keep drivers constantly aware is that each of us as individuals have to share the roads with a number of other traffic classifications. They have a right just as we do and we must respect their right.
This is a matter of driver education and is a constant. We will inevitably find ourselves crawling behind something moving slower than we would like to be moving. That is when our discipline comes into play. It may not come naturally to each and every one of us but we must learn to be patient. This is a bitter lesson some of us must take in and to do that the government, through the justice system needs to step down hard on people who cause death and injury just because they were impatient and in a hurry.
There is also a flip side to cyclists safety and that is where cyclists themselves behave in a manner that is in their own self-preservation. What can cyclists do to help themselves.
Always wear high visibility clothing so that you can be seen to be safe.
Never ride more than two abreast.
Most importantly, where cycling lanes exists always use them. Do not choose to use the roadway together with motor traffic instead. This is perhaps one of the most important bits of advice because we see this happening all the time. The government has gone to the time and expense of putting in cycling lanes and whole groups of cyclists choose not to use them.
This is terribly frustrating to drivers because we do have to undergo a certain amount of stress in order to keep you guys safe. Why do we not have your cooperation? I think I speak for all drivers when I say that we mean you no harm, but if you do put yourself in harm's way by using the highway when there was a cycle lane running parallel you will have yourself to blame.
That is just common sense!
Stay safe!
Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael
