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May: A Great time to Bike or Walk!
May 8, 2010
Officially, May is National Bike Month. Unofficially, let’s call it National Bike and Walk month. Because whether you choose to bike or walk, you will enjoy the many benefits of active living.
You are no doubt aware of some of these benefits. Here are just a few:
• Better health, longevity and quality of life
• Enjoying the great outdoors
• Getting around town in an environmentally friendly way
These are, in fact, some of the reasons for the formation of the new “Livable Streets Committee”, which is just one of the many positive results of the citizen driven planning initiative known as “Lee’s Summit 360”.
The Livable Streets Committee is working hard to make our streets safer and more accessible for people who choose to bike, walk or use mass transit. We are helping to transform Lee’s Summit into a more “Bike Friendly and Walk Friendly Community”.
So go ahead. Get out there and get moving! Walk or bike to whatever destinations you can: work, school, a friend’s house, running errands. But be sure to take certain precautions along the way.
Here are just a few important safety tips:
When you bike:
- Wear a helmet and bright colors. (Make sure drivers can see you.)
- Choose the safest route (We are working to identify preferred routes in town.)
- Experienced bicyclists are allowed on any city street by law, but streets with a wide curb lane are the safest. (See resources below for additional info.)
- Less experienced bicyclists may use the multi-use trails where available. But watch out for 1) other people and pets on the trail, and 2) vehicles at intersections and driveways.
- Communicate with motorists by using approved arm signals and making eye contact. Signal before turning or changing lanes.
- OBEY TRAFFIC LAWS! Reckless biking and “blowing through stop signs” puts everyone at risk and unnecessarily gives bicyclists a bad reputation.
- Wave pleasantly to acknowledge motorists who are courteous or who may be temporarily inconvenienced by your presence on the street.
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When you walk:
- Stay on the sidewalks, multi-use trails and marked crosswalks.
- Be certain cars are stopping for you before stepping into a crosswalk.
- If no sidewalk is available, walk carefully on the left side of the street, so you can see cars coming toward you.
- Watch out for moving vehicles, particularly at intersections and driveways.
When you drive:
- Be aware of the increased number of people out walking and biking.
- Stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk
- Anticipate sudden movements and “darting” by children near a street.
- When you encounter a person on a bicycle:
- Slow down, focus, and assess the situation. Proceed cautiously.
- Pass carefully, giving the cyclist plenty of room (at least 4 feet)
- (If there is not room to pass safely, it is safest if the bicyclist rides in the center of the lane until the lane widens or they are able to turn onto a safer street. Please be patient.)
- Do not honk at, yell at, or otherwise harass the person on the bike. (These will not improve the situation and will increase the potential danger.)
- When in doubt, yield to a person walking or biking. Failure to do so could cost that person their life.
OBEY TRAFFIC LAWS!
Whether you choose to bike, walk or drive…BE COURTEOUS and BE CAREFUL!
You will find additional information, links, and ways to get involved at www.livablestreetsls.com and now on FACEBOOK at Livable Streets Lee’s Summit.
Other excellent resources include:
o Mo. Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation: http://mobikefed.org/skills-safety.php
o National Complete Streets Coalition: www.completestreets.org
Keep Biking and Walking, Lee’s Summit!
This article was submitted by Ed Kraemer, M.D. Co-Chair of the Lee’s Summit Health Education Advisory Board. The Lee's Summit Health Education Advisory Board is a Mayor-appointed, volunteer board that promotes and advocates community health by assessing health issues, educating the public and government agencies, developing plans to address health issues, encouraging partnerships and evaluating the outcomes. Dr. Kraemer also serves as a member of the Livable Streets Committee and the Lee’s Summit 360.
“Health is a state of complete mental, physical, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” World Health Organization
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