| Fellow cyclists - After reading of the recent rash
of cycling accidents, I have a couple of thoughts that are important for us
to remember. First, my thoughts and prayers to those
recovering. Car vs. bicycle always falls in the favor of the car and
we need to do what we can to reduce the probability of getting
hit. Look at your
calendar - we have just passed the autumnal equinox. At the
equinoxes, approximately March 21 and September 22, the sun will rise
exactly due east and set exactly due west. Therefore when riding
early morning around the equinox, avoid riding east on east-west roadways.
Likewise, for late afternoon rides, avoid riding west on east-west
roadways. When driving a car or riding a bicycle at these times, it
is possible to be virtually blinded when traveling in these
directions. Alter your rides to avoid these situations. Minimizing risk can keep us
safer, even though we can't eliminate it. That's what the driver
getting his newspaper from the roadside vendor this morning reminded me
after a low speed encounter. ("Why are you looking at me like
that? "You almost hit me." "But I
didn't!") Be safe. Andy |