Sierra Wave News received the following Letter to the Editor from Erin Gilpin of Bishop, Calif.:
Recently there was a terrifying accident in Mammoth where a child on a bike was hit by a motorist. Following this accident, there have been posts on social media and in the paper calling for cyclists to ride safely. These are excellent reminders, but I would also like to remind motorists to drive safely around cyclists. There are a few simple rules that motorists can follow to make everyone safer on the road:
“I would like to remind motorists to drive safely around cyclists.”
- Yield to bicyclists as you would motorists and do not underestimate their speed. This will help avoid turning in front of a bicyclist traveling on the road or sidewalk, often at an intersection or driveway.
- In parking lots, at stop signs, when packing up, or when parking, search your surroundings for other vehicles, including bicycles.
- Drivers turning right on red should look to the right and behind to avoid hitting a bicyclist approaching from the right rear. Stop completely and look left-right-left and behind before turning right on red.
- Obey the speed limit, reduce speed for road conditions and drive defensively to avoid a crash with a cyclist.
- Give cyclists room. Do not pass too closely. Pass bicyclists as you would any other vehicle—when it’s safe to move over into an adjacent lane.
Thank you
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Sorry about the little kid. Not the kid’s fault. It’s a kid. However, I’d like to point out that in Ca. drivers have all responsibility for bicycle riders in this state irregardless of some of the stupid stuff they do. You all know, or should know, how dangerous it is to ride bikes on any narrow road with no margins. A lot of bike riders don’t like using margines because of high likelyhood of flat tires. Drivers really can’t see bike riders on blind curve narrow roads. There’s really no room at all with on coming traffic for the 3 ft.. manditory space requirment. The bike riders generally won’t move over (the flat tire thing) and flip drivers the bird when drivers try to get around them. A lot of bike riders are so into their work out that they don’t see autos at all, and nobody (peds incl.) can hear these new electric cars when they approach. Some narrow older roads should be off limits for bicycle riders for safety’s sake, for both parties. If anybody thinks people in cars will slow down these days they are stupid.
I’ve been on both sides of this coin most of my life, I choose my roads carefully so I don’t become crow food, in cars or on bikes.