We know that more, not less, bicycling can help make America a better place to live.
From the community livability and fitness benefits to cleaner air, less traffic congestion, and energy independence that increased bicycling usage can bring, we all benefit. However, a greater public investment in bicycling education and safety programs is needed -- programs such as the Effective Cycling® program of the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) that go far beyond simple helmet promotion for injury reducation and focus instead on crash prevention and operational skills.
Congressman Martin Sabo (D-MN), calling the development of "an aggressive bicycle education and safety program" a high priority, said at a March, 1997, hearing of the U.S. House Transportation Appropriations subcommittee, "Congress has for years been involved in promoting bicycle use and coordination with other transportation programs, but we have more fatalities from bicycle crashes than we do in aviation, railroad, or maritime crashes. It is a growing problem, and a number of them involve young people... Frankly, the air bag question is very important, but in terms of number of young folks involved, the whole biking issue has substantially greater impact on both fatalities and injuries."
Bicycles are legally classified as vehicles in all 50 states, and teaching basic traffic principles to children as bicyclists offers a valuable opportunity to improve road safety for all users. That is why the League's Effective Cycling® program is based on the "Same Roads, Same Rights, Same Rules" principle that bicyclists fare best when they act and are treated as operators of vehicles -- a principle that helps improve cycling safety for adults and children.
Of course, children and bikes go together, from the early sense of discovery and freedom to the aerobic conditioning so important to a healthy lifestyle. But handing our children helmets and taking off the training wheels are not enough. We do not expect automobile drivers to drive without instruction, and we should not expect cyclists to ride without instruction. While the League's Effective Cycling® program includes courses for novice to experienced cyclists and specialties like bike commuting and off-road riding, teaching the basics to kids may be the most important component.
Children enjoy being taught about "adult" rules that help making cycling safer. Examples of these rules include:
1. Stop at the end of every driveway, sidewalk, or path to Stop, Look, and Listen.
2. Be predictable when you ride, without swerving or hitching a ride on another moving vehicle.
3. Yield the right-of-way -- cars have to stop for pedestrians, and so do you.
4. Be seen -- wear light colored clothes and a bright helmet, and use lights at dusk and nighttime.
5. Obey traffic laws, signal when turning, and always ride on the right side of the road.
As Rep. Sabo said at that March ‘97 hearing, "I think the growth of and the use of the bicycle is not only good transportation policy but also good recreation policy. It serves both roles." It is everyone's responsibility to help keep bicycling safe, too.
The League's Effective Cycling® program has certified instructors throughout the country. To receive contact information for instructors in their state or area, readers may check the Internet at http://www.bikeleague.org.