University Police encourage bicycle safety
"ALIGN
FESTYLES
By Mandy Cater
Stajf writer
E very semester Texas A&M is invaded by hordes of
students. With construction and traffic jams be
coming ever-growing problems, students are opt
ing for alternatives to automobiles. The buzz is bike
travel, which seems to continually blossom in popu
larity. Students take to sidewalks, streets and trails with
the whiz of bike wheels.
Sgt. Allan Baron of University Police Department’s
Crime Prevention Unit said the lack of parking on cam
pus is the main reason for this growth. Many students
choose bikes for their easy access to buildings rather
than fight with parking lot overcrowding.
This increase in bicycle traffic creates concerns for
bike safety.
“The main problem is that they [bicyclists] don’t fol
low the rules of the roadway,” Baron said. “They are re
quired to follow the same rules as a vehicle.”
These rules include yielding and stopping according
to road signs and keeping to the far right of the roadway.
Bicyclists are encouraged to ride with the flow of traffic,
slowing at all comers whether or not there is a sign.
Perhaps the most important thing for cyclists is
to be aware of their surroundings. Experts suggest
cyclists should always be on the look-out for pedes
trians and automobiles, using hand signals to alert
others of movement.
The Illinois State Police said bicyclists should always
let cars and people go first, not just dart in and out of traf
fic and crowds.
To avoid accidents, cyclists must be attuned to the
presence of cars, both moving and parked. Listening for
danger signals and staying at least a car-door’s length
away from parked cars are some tips for safe travel on the
roads.
Eric Walker, a senior chemistry major, started riding
his bike to campus after having problems with the bus
system. He said as long as bikers are careful, traffic is not
a major problem.
“I always look behind when I change lanes,” Walker
said. “A big problem with people riding bikes is that they
don’t follow signs and traffic rules.”
Cyclists should avoid traveling on streets with heavy
traffic, especially Texas Avenue, where a city ordinance
prohibits bicycles. No matter how quick a cyclist can
pedal, a car can always go faster and hit harder.
Being conscious of pedestrians is another key to bike
safety. Being on a bike does not make one the king of the
road. For example, bikers are expected to walk their bike
through crosswalks that are not at intersections and slow
down for crowds. Tom Williams, Parking, Transit and
Traffic Services Director, said bikers need to exercise
courtesy to pedestrians.
“Bikers should consider themselves like a vehicle,”
Williams said. “They should not consider themselves
pedestrians on wheels.”
Wearing appropriate gear can also help keep bikers
out of the emergency room. Even though many students
might wony about looking different, wearing a helmet
can be a lifesaver.
The University of Oklahoma’s bike safety Web site re
minds students that a fashion faux pas is worth it, if it
keeps one from getting a cracked skull.
When those late-night munchies kick in, it is impor
tant to wear bright colors and make sure the bike has re
flectors. Texas law requires a white light in the front, and
a red reflector in the back.
Biking is not for everyone. If one does not feel con
fident, they can choose other modes of transporta
tion. Being unsure can make riding a bike an unnec
essary frustration.
Haruka Kaneko, a sophomore general studies major,
rode her bike to campus for the first, and possibly last,
time Wednesday.
“It’s really scary,” Kaneko said. “It’s very crowded, and
pedestrians are always walking in front of you.”
Although it may seem trite and common sense,
bike safety is an important issue. Bryan-College Sta
tion citizen Wayne Bryan was killed this summer in
a cycling accident. Bryan, the owner of Aggieland Cy
cling and Fitness was struck by a car while biking on
Texas Highway 30.
Biking can be convenient, it is environmentally
sound and there is no scrounging for gas money. But
biking requires care and awareness on the streets
and on campus. Bikers are encouraged to keep their
bikes in good shape, sport that trendy safety gear and l
stay to the right on roads. And leave the popping!
wheelies and “pumping” people on your handlebars
in childhood memories.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
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yber 6, 1997
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