For urban bikers, a risky commute and worries about safety
on March 13, 2012
Cities like Oakland would like to see more residents commuting by bike. But urban biking is risky, and sometimes both drivers and cyclists aren’t sure how to keep things safe.
For more information about bicycle safety, including a schedule for classes, visit the East Bay Bicycle Coalition’s website.
3 Comments
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Ok,he was pedaling in front of an A.C. Transit Bus and was “doored”. Personally, I would have given AC Transit the right of way. AC Transit drivers have been known to have a short fuse.
As an education coordinator for the East Bay Bicycle Coalition I would like to say thanks for the mention, and would add that all of the safety classes we teach are absolutely free and open to the public. Right now we have a number of classes scheduled through the end of June all over Alameda County, and will be adding more in additional cities within just the next week or two.
If you don’t see a class in your neck of the woods and would like us to set one up with your school, business, or organization, please fill out the appropriate application form on our site at http://www.ebbc.org/safety and we will be glad to follow up. We are currently offering adult safety classes, kids bike rodeos, as well as family cycling workshops for kids and parents to attend together.
On a side note I will admit that there is a definite cultural stigma against cycling as a supposedly dangerous activity, which is something that we as an organization would like to alleviate. With just a little bit of knowledge and the right equipment a cyclist can dramatically increase his or her safety on the road, to the point of which there is less risk of fatality per hour than the equivalent amount of time spent in a car. As a daily cyclist for over 8 years and tens of thousands of miles but zero collisions with cars I can attest to that personally.
I love my bike, love Tip Top Bikeshop and bike my old ass all over North Oakland. I do STOP at stop lights, do not get into the middle of the street, and drive defensively with my helmet on. I stay off San Pablo where I have seen three young people hit by riding inside of bigger vehicles that were turning right. Broke my heart down on San Pablo and West to see a young women hurt but Go bless them I wish they wold wear their helmets, not kick car doors and realize that in their efforts to get around they should not jump in front of traffic. Back in the 1950’s we had OPD traffic safety officers give us the rules of the road, and I would welcome if OUSD invited this bike safety class of EBBSCoalition. It starts there. Also the bike shops should pass out rules of the road. Thanks for the article.