Courtesy key to motorist, cyclist safety

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Curtis Scrugham
  • 2d Communications Squadron
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Spring-the season of sun, showers, flowers, and those strangely dressed cyclists slowing traffic as you try to make your way across base at lunch. What's up with those guys anyway? I mean come on-spandex shorts and that obnoxious shirt. Why aren't they riding on that bike trail right next to the road? At least they could ride without weaving all over the place.

There was a lot I didn't understand about these strange people, at least not until I became a cyclist myself. One by one the myths of cycling were revealed to me and believe it or not, everything they do has a remarkably sane purpose. In the interest of positive motorists-cyclist relationships, I'd like to debunk a few of those myths.

Let's start with "why are they riding?" A trip across base and back is an excellent workout. It is about 20 miles, takes about an hour and burns about 800 calories. Not a bad result from your lunch hour. Barksdale also happens to be one of 10 nodes of the Air Force Cycling Team-a group of 100 or so riders whose sole reason for being is to ride across Iowa (roughly 450-500 miles) during the last week in July as a recruiting event. Okay, I can't explain why someone would want to do that, but maybe I'll have an answer when I get back from Iowa this summer.

So what's with those ugly shirts? Didn't their mothers teach them how to dress? Believe it or not, the idea is to be as ugly as possible-almost. As they are riding in traffic, they want to be as visible as possible to minimize the chances of joining the armadillos and becoming road-kill. The more obnoxious the shirt, the better.

The shorts aren't a fashion statement either. Tight fitting clothes don't flap in the wind, don't get caught on the seat when mounting/dismounting the bike and most importantly they eliminate bunching and chafing in the worst imaginable places.

The boldest of cyclists will shave their legs (not me). Think you know why? It's not for better aerodynamics, but to ease the pain and healing of road-rash. Eventually every rider ends up on the pavement for one reason or another. Hairless legs will heal faster, be easier to bandage up and the scabbing is less painful.

So now you know why they are dressed they way they are, but why are they riding on the road and not on that nicely paved recreation trail? For starters, the recreation trail is not nearly smooth enough for a cyclist to safely maintain speed-often more than 20 mph. Road bikes have no suspension or other shock-absorbing devices. Small bumps or rough patches of road can bounce the rider off the bike and make them lose control.

Parts of the trail also have over-hanging vegetation, impossible to avoid at speed. It is also full of debris that is dangerous to road cyclists. A road tire is only an inch wide and is inflated between 90-120 psi. Running over even a small rock can cause a flat tire or loss of control.

There are obstacles on the trail much larger than debris-people with strollers, pets and people with headphones. These people won't have time to predictably react to a biker approaching at 20 mph. While the trail is a good place for a leisurely ride on a mountain bike, it is a dangerous place for a road bike.

Most road cyclists do their best to stay on the side of the road and out of the way of motorists but sometimes the safest thing for them to do is 'take the lane.' Debris or other hazards on the side of the road are the primary reason for this, but some situations, like an approaching turn across lanes, makes taking the lane the safest thing to do.

Cyclists realize that being safe with them on the road sometimes means traffic may have to slow down and wait a few moments to get by. They greatly appreciate the patient motorist, and most attempt to get out of the way as soon as possible.

Another challenge for cyclists is strong cross winds. They can push the bike around and make it difficult to control. What looks like a careless, weaving cyclist may well be someone who is fighting the wind and doing his best to keep the bike upright and on the road.

With all of these challenges, safety is paramount. Here are a few things road cyclists should do to help keep the roads safe:
· Ride predictably
· Ride as far to the right as safely feasible
· Follow traffic laws to the extent possible
· Use appropriate safety gear
· Dress to be seen
· Ride defensively
Motorists can also do a few small things to contribute to safe roads:
· Double check for cyclists at intersections before pulling out
· Gauge cyclist's speed-very fit cyclists can go faster than 30 miles per hour
· Don't pass unless you can give three feet of clearance
· Try not to startle a cyclist. If you want to greet them with your horn, wait until after you pass them
· If they are trying to maneuver (i.e. signaling and turning) give them the opportunity

Hopefully you understand a little more about the strangely dressed people riding around base and why they do what they do. If they do slow you down a few moments as you make your way across base, just remember you are being a wingman and keeping them safe as they strive to improve fitness, or prepare to represent the Air Force as they ride across Iowa this summer. If you happen to see a cyclist wearing an obnoxious blue/green Shrek jersey - give a honk (after you pass), it's me. See you on the road.