Bicycles, motor vehicles make a dangerous mix

Putting safety first should include the wearing of protective gear.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Now that the spring sun is doing its annual battle with storm clouds, bicycles are showing up on alleys and streets.
But before adults and children dust off their spokes, they should be mindful of the dangerous mix between bicycles and motor vehicles.
The National Safety Council, Northern Ohio Chapter in Youngstown, offers bicycling safety tips on how adults and children can safely share the road and obey traffic laws.
"Bicycling can be a fun and healthy activity when practiced in the safety of a park or other protected environment," said Ietta Mendez, director of marketing and training at the Safety Council.
"However, many bicyclists share busy roads with motor vehicles. In 2000, 800 bicyclists were killed and 54,000 injured in collisions with motor vehicles in the United States."
The Warren City Traffic Division reported eight accidents in 2002 involving bicycles and motor vehicles. All occurred in months of nicer weather, from April to October.
In two accounts, drivers said they did not see the bicyclist coming, and in two cases, the bicyclist was found to be at fault.
In the other four accidents, police were unable to find fault, but bicyclists were injured in all eight cases.
What happened
One bicyclist was found at fault when the bicycle lost its brakes, causing the rider to hit a car, police say. Another rider was faulted for starting out into the street and getting struck by a vehicle.
Bicyclists should wear protective equipment when they head out for a ride. Wearing a helmet, the Safety Council reports, reduces the risk of head injuries by 85 percent. Knee and elbow pads reduce the risk of injuries to extremities.
Bicycle enthusiasts should keep in mind that they are required to follow the same traffic laws as motorists.
Reflectors and other safety equipment on your bicycle alerts others of your presence, the Safety Council reports, as do a bell or horn mounted on the handlebar.
If riding at night, riders should wear reflective clothing and use a bright headlight, says the Safety Council.
Last August, a Warren bicyclist was given a citation for not having a bicycle headlight while riding at night.
Bicyclists should be aware of their surroundings while riding.
The Safety Council reports that most bicycle injuries are the result of collisions with objects, either moving or stationary, such as cars, animals, other bicycles, fences and traffic signs.
Another common cause of accidents is riding a bike that is in disrepair or is too large for its rider.
Adults should supervise young children on bicycles, says the Safety Council. Adults should also watch the weather before allowing a child to bike to school or go out for a ride.