Cyclists ride through Antiquity. (Chip Dawson / DavidsonNews.net)

By CHIP DAWSON
DavidsonNews.net

This is bike country. The weather and the open road become a siren call for many of us year around.
You can have a nice outing exploring the trails and neighborhoods of Cornelius and Davidson. If you’re a more serious biker, try the county and state roads to the north and east or head west on Catawba and explore all the residential neighborhoods along the lake. A ride down Jetton and through all its side roads can net you well over 30 miles.

SAFETY – THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

While it provides great exercise and good times, bicycling is also a job. You must be serious about the condition of your bike, your equipment and your skills. According to the CDC, more than 500,000 people in the U.S. are treated in emergency departments, and more than 700 people die as a result of bicycle-related injuries each year. One study showed that one third of the injuries are significant head injuries.

On average, 23 North Carolina bicyclists are killed each year and more than 800 are injured. A majority of those involved in crashes are adults, and two thirds of crash injuries occur in urban areas. In fact, Mecklenburg County is at the top of the list, reporting the most crashes of all North Carolina counties – 11.7 percent of the total. Alcohol use by cyclists was found in 8.3 percent of the crashes. Click here to see the full North Carolina bicycle crash report along with other state cycling and pedestrian research.

BASIC RULES SAVE LIVES

Bikers concentrate as they travel on Main Street in Davidson. (Chip Dawson / DavidsonNews.net)

As bad as the statistics may seem, you don’t need to be a victim if you know what your doing. Here are some solid rules to stay safe:

• Remember, bicycles are considered to be vehicles under the law. You must follow the same rules as cars.
• Ride in the direction of traffic to the right side of the lane or in the shoulder or bike lane (if safe to do so).
• Signal turns and turn from the proper lane
• Don’t ride in the turn lane if you’re traveling straight through (stay in the through lane).
• Stop for all stop signs and lights. Proceed when safe if your bike doesn’t trip the light signal wire.
• If you’re not comfortable in traffic, especially on the narrow roads with no shoulders common in this area, stick to the trails and residential streets.
• Always wear a helmet—even if you’re an adult. Serious bikers wear a helmet not because they take more risk, but because they know how easy it is to crash a bike and strike your head.

HELMETS

I’ve been a serious biker for decades and I’ve crashed twice. Once I slid on loose sand in the road at 5 miles per hour, and the other time I was stopped and lost my balance. In both cases, my helmet took the blow to my head – it was cracked but my head was not.

Old, narrow roads with open grates, like this one on N. Main St. in Cornelius, increase the risk for bikers. (Chip Dawson / DavidsonNews.net)

When I see kids in helmets and their parents with bare heads, or a couple of older folks on their easy riders with no helmets, I worry about what will happen if they catch a wheel in a pot hole, or on the road shoulder, or crossing tracks. It’s folks like them who make up a significant number of the injury cases cited above.

Both North Carolina and Cornelius require helmets on those younger than 16 and Cornelius also requires helmets for in-line skates, roller skates, skateboards and non-motorized scooters.
REI, the outfitter, has some excellent riding tips and videos on their web site. Click here to see them.

For a Guide to North Carolina Bicycle and Pedestrian Laws, click here. In the guide, you’ll find lots of interesting facts. For example, bicyclists can be charged with reckless operation, which is defined as wanton disregard for the rights and safety of others.

For a safe and fun ride, just check out the resources linked above, stop at the bike shop to get your bike and your protective equipment checked, and start peddling.

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