I was riding precariously in downtown Moscow on the way to my apartment last week. Passing by John’s Alley Tavern, where the bike lane ends, I was struck by a car.
Yes, I used hand signals. But it was in the middle of the day and I was not wearing a helmet.
I thought about my mom’s lectures growing up — more specifically, about wearing a helmet — as the driver stepped out to help me up and put the chain back on my bike.
Personally, everyone I know has some kind of story about themselves, their friends or a colleague who has had close calls while riding a bike in Moscow.
Especially in a college town, there are plenty of people who commute by bike.
After posting a safety message in chatter on the app Wildfire, I was overwhelmed with positive responses and messages. Many students have strong opinions regarding both the precautions of automobile drivers and the safety of cyclists while commuting in Moscow.
During times like these, I question bike safety and what the city does for commuters.
What can cyclists do to make the weekly commute safer?
Moscow does a lot for community bikers. Moscow has a section of their website dedicated to bike patrol. The section offers information about bicycle laws in Idaho and how the police department has dedicated officers trained for bike patrol.
The University of Idaho also has a page on their website about bike safety. UI Parking and Transportation Services provides information about interacting with pedestrians, traffic, equipment and things to check on the bike.
All are great information sources, but is it enough?
Here are some tips I did not know, if ever hit by a car.
Hopefully, the person will stop the car and assess the situation. If they do, make sure to exchange information. Before getting back onto the bike, make sure any injuries are not too extreme. Check the bike by spinning the wheel, checking the tires, shifting, breaking and gently shaking it to listen for any rattling parts. Make sure that everyone is OK — check for injuries and if anything is tender.
Do not start riding again until checking over everything — better safe than sorry.
Getting hit may leave feelings of disorientation and confusion. Everything happens so quickly. One minute you may be having a hypothetical argument with a professor and the next on you’re on the ground in front of a car.
It is important to stay safe while commuting. As young as we are, our bodies are not invincible.
As my mother wisely says, “Don’t be stupid, wear a helmet.”
Emily Pearce can be reached at arg-opinion@uidaho or on Twitter @Emily_A_Pearce