May is National Bike Month

BINGHAMTON, NY – The month of May is National Bike Month, a time to celebrate the fun and convenience of cycling. May 11–15 is Bike to Work Week, a time when workers throughout the nation join together and cycle to work. Join in. It’s fun! Biking to work builds morale, encourages camaraderie, and is a great way to get active in your community. It’s healthy! Active employees are more alert, take fewer sick days and are more productive. It’s green! Biking reduces your carbon footprint, reduces traffic congestion and can save you money.

While cycling can be an enjoyable hobby and a wonderful way to exercise, it can also be dangerous. Bicyclists and motorists should take special precautions on the roads in order to prevent crashes and injury.

Bicycles are the most vulnerable of all vehicles on the road. Because of this, cyclists and motorists need to share the road safely. Bicyclists are required to follow the same rules of the road as motorists. A bicycle being ridden on the road is like a car and should be predictable like a car. Cyclists should ride on the right side, with the flow of traffic, and obey all traffic signs and signals.

Likewise, motorists must obey the rules of the road with respect to bicyclists. Motorists should exercise “due care” to avoid colliding with bicyclists by giving them plenty of clearance when passing and the right-of-way when appropriate. As a safety measure, motorists should make scanning for cyclists a habit.

One of the best safety measures a cyclist can take to protect themselves is to wear a helmet when biking and wear it correctly. The helmet should sit atop your head and fit snugly. It should not obstruct your field of vision. The chin strap buckle should be fastened and fit securely.

For more information about Bike Month please visit the League of American Bicyclists at http://www.bikeleague.org or for more information about upcoming events, please contact Christine Muss at the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.2807.

Other Upcoming Summer Events for Cyclists:

Monday, June 8, 2009, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., “Becoming a Savvy Cyclist” Class at the Broome County Health Department.
Thursday, June 11, 2009, 10:35 a.m., Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Display at the Binghamton Mets Game.
Sunday, July 12, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Historic Bridge Pedal. Please visit www.bmtsonline.com for more information.
Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9, 2009, Bike Tioga. Please visit www.biketioga.com for more information.
Saturday, October 10, 2009, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Bike Rodeo at the Farmer’s Market at Otsiningo Park.

Posted: 5/12/2009 3:39 pm

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