|
It ’ s almost summer and with that we ’ re seeing more bikes , of both the motor and pedaled varieties . With the bikers out in full force , those in ‘ cages ’ ( cars ) need to adhere to some laws and etiquette .
Bicyclists : If there is a bike lane , motorized vehicles ( including motorbikes ) cannot use it . For any reason . You also need to give bicycles a wide berth . It ’ s recommended that a car give a bicyclist three feet at a minimum . You might want to give more , as you never know what skill level the cyclist has .
When turning , always check your mirrors and blind spots for cyclists before making a right and use your turn signals every time . By law , you must allow a cyclist to pass before making a right hand turn .
|
Allow children to clear the road before going past . They are smaller , less skilled and less aware of their surroundings . For the few seconds it costs you to wait , you ’ ll feel better knowing that someone ’ s children are safe .
Cyclists : you have responsibilities too . You should wear a helmet at all times and wear bright colored reflective clothing . Practice all arm signals and observe traffic
32 | www . thecurrentbuzz . net
signs and lights . You should also stay as far to the right as is safe and practical . Until you are confident in your skills , you might want to stay off busy roads .
Bikers : share the roads with cages and have the same rights and responsibilities yet many car owners do not give bikers the respect they would give another car .
Let ’ s start with distance . Give more space to a bike than you would give to a car . Tailgating a biker is unnerving and dangerous and bikers tend to react faster than car drivers . A fender-bender on a motorbike can be deadly .
Do not treat motorcycles like bicycles ! I see this time and time again . People in cars treat bikers like they are going 10 miles an hour rather than 40-50 miles per hour and many bikers have wiped out trying to avoid a collision . Do not pull out in front of a biker on to a road , let him or her go by , then pull out .
Always check your blind spots . Motorcyclists take up less space and can be missed entirely , so be sure you aren ’ t about to clip a biker when changing lanes . Another good reason to use those turn signals . If you are planning to pass a biker , be sure to use your signals and not to pass them at too high a rate of speed or too close as your wind gust can wipe out a bike . Do not ride next to a bike in a lane ( DUH ).
AND DON ’ T FLICK YOUR LIT CIGARETTE BUTTS OUT THE
|
WINDOW ! That HURTS !
Bikers : Work from the assumption that everyone is stupid . Motorcycles are 26 times more deadly than cars and each year , about 4,500 people die in motorcycle crashes . Much of the problem is distracted car drivers ; six out of 10 fatal bike crashes are car / motorcycle .
Watch your speed . Those of you on the Ducati ’ s and ‘ Crotch Rockets ’, well , first , knock off the insane speed on the public roads if you want to live ‘ til your next birthday . Us old farts buried quite a few friends who thought they were immune to the ‘ speeding angel of death .’
Obey traffic signs and lights . Shouldn ’ t be something we need to tell anyone .
Wear a helmet . You are still cool with your brains inside your skull . And put some reflective tape somewhere on your clothing if you do a lot of night riding . It ’ s not a bad idea to dress in proper shoes / boots and wear leathers . Many people wear little more than a tank top , shorts and flip flops . This is asking for trouble . We don ’ t care how cool you are , picking the road out of your skin hurts . A LOT .
If we all slow down a bit , leave the cell phones alone and pay attention when we get behind the wheel , it ’ ll be a great summer if we can come out on the other side with the same number of people we came in with .
|
Sydnee Spears Rodeo Opry OKC , OK
Jacob Flint Band Soul City of Tulsa Tulsa , OK
Vertical Vice / Dead Shakes Soundpony Tulsa , OK
Helen Kelter Skelter / Space4Lease / LCG & The X / Planet What Soundpony Tulsa , OK
Miss Brown to You The UCO Jazz Lab Performance Venue Edmond , OK
Rascal Flatts Winstar Casino & Resort Thackerville , OK
May 14 , 2017
Arts for All Festival Shepler Park Lawton , OK
Breeder ’ s Invitational Tulsa Expo Square Tulsa , OK
Italian Festival Southeast Expo Ctr McAlester , OK
Jonathan Byrd The Vanguard Tulsa , OK
Chevelle Diamond Ballroom OKC , OK
Songs & Stories W / Kinky Friedman Blue Door OKC , OK
Kudzu Soundpony Tulsa , OK
May 15 , 2017
Breeder ’ s Invitational Tulsa Expo Square Tulsa , OK
|
B
H
B
K
B
O
|