Sierra Wave News received the following Letter to the Editor from  Erin Gilpin of Bishop, Calif.:

MLPD bicycle hit by car SmallRecently 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.”

  1. 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.
  2. In parking lots, at stop signs, when packing up, or when parking, search your surroundings for other vehicles, including bicycles.
  3. 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.
  4. Obey the speed limit, reduce speed for road conditions and drive defensively to avoid a crash with a cyclist.
  5. 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

Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading