One thing I have noticed is more bicycles on the street and the diverse looking groups of people riding them. It use to be when I rode home from work at night (10:30pm) I would never see a cyclist once I crossed the Interstate or 205 bridges into Vancouver. Now I am seeing more people who look like they are commuting or using a bike for utilitarian purposes and not just recreational riding in Vancouver.

There also seems to be more news stories on altercations between cars and cyclist accidents. Here is a photo of a cyclist and an a link accompanying article about his interaction with a car. I find it amusing the photo credit in the news piece goes to the cyclist.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Rookie and rusty cyclists hit streets … and hospitals

Horrified by his first $70 trip to the gas station, Schatz drove to a bike shop last month, plunked down $2,500 on a new touring bicycle and began two-wheel commuting from his Grant Park home to his office in West Midtown.

The pluses included conservation and fitness as well as frugality — until the morning he went airborne above traffic on West Marietta Street. Hit by a car, he broke both elbows.

Afterward he asked himself, “This is what I get for trying to save the environment?”

I know some accidents, no matter how cautious you are can not be avoided, but how many are preventable due to inexperience? Do some adults get on a bike and ride with memories as kids of just going for a care free ride with little or total disregard for safety? This does not absolve motorist of their responsibility to cyclists on the road, but it does make me ask the question when I see or hear of some of these accidents.

Bikes are fun and for the most part as safe as the person riding them. Stay alert.

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