Wednesday, April 4, 2007
As more bicyclists hit the road with spring weather approaching, the KU Public Safety Office is taking steps to make sure riders stay safe — at no cost to bike owners.
For the second consecutive year, KU Public Safety Officers gave away bike headlight and taillight kits Tuesday to students outside the Student Recreation and Fitness Center. The kits were given away as part of a safety promotion by the KU Public Safety Office, Coca-Cola, Cycle Works, Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop and the city of Lawrence. Along with the lights, an officer provided safety pamphlets about local bike paths, bike safety and other information. A visible headlight and a blinking taillight are required by the city for all bicycles after dark.
Officer Zeke Cunningham gave away the kits both last year and this year. He said students were sometimes hesitant to approach the booth because they were afraid something was being sold, but once students realized what he was doing, he got plenty of business.
“Some days we give them away real fast,” Cunningham said. “Some days you wait around.”
Calvin Morris, Leawood freshman, visited the booth and received the headlight and taillight kit. He said he tried to ride safely, even though he didn’t wear a helmet.
“I just don’t ride aggressive,” Morris said. “People are usually pretty respectful of me.”
Though he doesn’t ride his bike around town, Morris said riding on campus rarely presented any problems.
“Sometimes pedestrians get scared when you go by too fast,” Morris said. “But everyone gets along pretty well.”
Dan Hughes, owner of Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop, 804 Massachusetts St., said Lawrence was a bicycling-friendly city, but that its greatest obstacle was geography.
“When you’ve got a giant hill, it’s tough to get people to want to ride around town,” Hughes said. “Lawrence has made great strides, though, with its recreation bike routes.”
pullquote
When you’ve got a giant hill, it’s tough to get people to want to ride around town. Lawrence has made great strides, though, with its recreation bike routes.
-Dan Hughes, owner of Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop
Hughes said most pressure from motorists happened because of congestion on Lawrence’s roads.
“Everyone wants to get where they’re going, and they want to get there now,” Hughes said.
The state of Kansas has recently taken initiative in providing more bicycle knowledge for motorists. Beginning in 2006, questions about approaching and passing bicyclists have been included on the driver’s license examination, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The most common complaint from bicyclists in Lawrence, Hughes said, was motorists and bicyclists alike who didn’t know the laws, rights and responsibilities that go along with riding. About six times a year, Hughes said, a passing motorist would yell at him about staying on the sidewalks or riding in single-file lines. He said he understood the mindset, because more frequently than poor motorist behavior, he saw bicyclists who didn’t know what they were doing.
“I’m sitting at a red light and a guy flies by me through the intersection on a bike, and I’m thinking, ‘You’re not doing me any favors, bud,’” Hughes said.
Hughes said it was important for both sides to be aware of one another to keep the roads as safe as possible.
“Anybody who uses the roads should know and uphold the laws in place,” Hughes said. “If you’re riding, ride like a car and act like a car.”
Kansan staff writer Erick R. Schmidt can be contacted at eschmidt@kansan.com.
— Edited by Ryan Schneider
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