Our friends from other states tease us “flatlanders” about riding our tandem bike in Kansas. Obviously, they have never traveled to the northwest part of Barton county and other parts of the state. I also like to point out that we may not have as many hills but we have lots of wind! So far, this spring has been full of windy days so we plan our rides to head in to the wind first and then enjoy a tailwind on the way home.
As part of the Be Well Barton County task force we are happy to report that bike sharrows have been freshly applied on parts of Patton Road and Broadway, with more planned. Some bright signage with bicycles on them, are well placed to remind drivers of the importance of sharing the road. A special thanks to Jason Cauley, and the city street department in Great Bend, for these improvements. When I am in Hays, where our other District Extension Office is located, I see sharrows and designated bike lanes throughout the town. Now we just need motorists and bicyclists to pay attention to the rules of the road to prevent accidents.
This is a great time to encourage safe bicycling so keep reading for some important reminders.
• Consider a helmet a necessity, rather than an extra. Without a helmet, riders who sustain an injury are 14 times more likely to become a fatality. Choose one that meets or exceeds safety standards established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Make sure the helmet fits, rather than one a child will grow into. Replace the helmet if an accident occurs or if the helmet is badly jarred or cracked.
• Ride with the traffic, rather than facing the traffic. Consider adding a rear-view mirror to your bicycle gear. I have one that attaches to my helmet so I can constantly monitor the traffic behind us.
• Obey traffic signals just like motor vehicles. Use hand signals to let others know your intentions.
• Stay alert and keep your mind on your riding. This should be the same advice for many people in cars. Too many times we have been in close calls with drivers who are on cell phones or just inattentive to the traffic around them.
Many parents ask at what age a child is old enough to ride in the street rather than a neighborhood sidewalk. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all age. A child’s maturity level is the main factor. Other factors are: the size of the community, traffic patterns and congestion, and whether it is a residential area or a business district. A smaller community can seem peaceful and safe, but may have periods when safety is compromised – for example, after a ball game, during a community festival, or at harvest time.
Our Great Bend Pilot club is teaming up with my husband, John, and me to produce a short bicycle safety video that will be shared with area schools before the school year ends. Pilot club has provided many helmets for youngsters in our community since they have a special interest in preventing head injuries among young riders. Now go out and enjoy this beautiful spring weather with a family bike ride!
Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.
