Advocates promote bike safety, laws as seasons change
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The seasons have changed and so should habits of cyclists, including casual bike riders, according to biking advocates.
Efforts made by communities to be more bike friendly have more people pedaling and groups like IndyCog and Bicycle Indiana encouraging the interest while promoting safety and rules.
There are laws in Indiana related to bicycling that have become especially timely as the amount of daylight shortens with the season and with greenway trails becoming accessible 24 hours a day.
Indiana Code 9-21-11-9 requires bicycles operated in the dark from dusk to dawn to be equipped with a white light on the front that can be seen from at least 500 feet away.
“Not so much that you can see, but that other people can see you. Whether it be drivers or other bicyclists or walkers,” Nancy Tibbett, executive director of Bicycle Indiana said.
The same law also mandates a red rear reflector attached to the back of the bike that is visible from the same distance.
The existence of the laws can take even the most experienced riders by surprise including longtime competitive cyclist Matt Salpietro of Indianapolis who said he almost got a ticket when riding without a light at dusk.
“It was an interesting experience but it’s nice to see a cop in my neighborhood and obviously trying to everybody safe,” Salpietro said.
The head of IndyCog advocacy group, Kevin Whited, said the organization suggests riders go beyond the law’s requirements and include a rear red light.
“Most of them will actually blink or be solid. Studies have shown that blinking red lights, while they’re more visible, will often draw drunk drivers towards you. They focus on the lights, so in some countries it’s illegal to have blinking red lights,” Whited said.
When asked priorities for bike safety, Whited listed visibility through lights and bright, reflective clothing as well as helmets though Indiana law does not require riders of any age wear a helmet.
Many manufacturers recommend replacing helmets every three to five years even if it does not appear damaged to cracked. Experts say sweat, sun and pollution can break down the protective materials.
Several organizations and businesses provide a limited number of free helmets for families in Indianapolis. Bicycle Indiana lists sources and contact information on its website:
– Indiana Bicycle Coalition Nancy Tibbett, 317-466-9701, www.bicycleindiana.org
– SAFE KIDS Indiana (limited) – Judith Talty, 317-274-2977 jtalty@iupui.edu
– SAFE KIDS Indianapolis – Marion County Health Department, Coordinator: Serifatu Walton, 317-221-3145, swalton@hhcorp.org
– Riley Hospital for Children (limited) – Cara Fast 317-274-2964, clfast@iupui.edu www.rileysafetystore.org, www.racingforsafety.org
– Flanner and Buchanan Group (somewhat limited)- Tony Lloyd tlloyd@buchanangroup.org
Advocates acknowledge the importance of riders keeping safety in mind but should not overpower the interest of a healthy hobby.
“There’s so much we can benefit from it and there’s just a few little things we can do to make it safer,” Tibbett said. “The helmet, being visible, knowing the laws and what is right and what is wrong for bicyclists as well as what the motorists should expect but with those couple little things, it should be able to be safe and fun for everyone.”