Critical Days of Summer: Bicycle Safety Published June 1, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Sean Johnson 341st Missile Wing Safety MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- As fuel prices continue to rise and insurance costs tighten finances, the obvious alternative to commuting to work is the humble bicycle. Though humble in its current status, bicycles have been a mainstay in transportation for almost 130 years. Currently, there are more than one billion bicycles in use worldwide - that's twice the number of automobiles in existence, according to bicycle resources on planetgreen.discovery.com. The website also described the bicycle's importance in society strongly being attributed to the emancipation of women. Susan B. Anthony said the bicycle did more than anything else to help women gain freedom in the western world. There are many people who think that bicycling is especially dangerous, not recognizing that cyclists travel more miles per fatality than pedestrians and more hours per fatality than passenger vehicle users. That being said, it's important to know how, in our modern society, everyone can gain freedom by riding a bicycle safely. Understanding a bicycle's presence on the road within existing traffic is the key to biking Montana's roads safely. First, assertive cycling is a must. Knowing where you are and where you need to go beforehand will allow other cyclists and automobiles to respond to your presence appropriately. No amount of bicycle safety equipment can adequately protect a rider from the dangerous force of a car or truck if involved in a vehicle collision. The best way to avoid injury is by being prepared for the dangers that streets pose to bicycle riders and by obeying the rules of the road. Obeying those rules will lead one to wear an approved bicycle helmet per AFI 91-207. Also, following all posted traffic signs is imperative. Stop at appropriate intersections. In addition, sidewalks are for pedestrians and should be avoided while cycling. If riding at night, don't wear dark clothing and make sure the bike has a light on the front and back to maximize your visibility to others. All these precautions are pertinent to any style of bicycle and suffice in situations where you might find yourself on rollerblades, scooters or other non-motorized forms of transportation. Children are more likely to be struck by traffic than adults. This fact is due in large part to a child's ignorance of traffic laws. This statistic can be avoided by teaching our children to cycle safely and lawfully, and to do so with proper safety equipment. Trail riding is the off-road version of modern cycling and also requires operational risk management to be enjoyed. Proper personal protective equipment includes: helmet, gloves, sturdy shoes, elbow and wrist protection as well as knee protection. Before participating in trail riding, there are steps to follow to ensure the ability to return to duty. First, know where you'll be cycling and let someone else know. Second, scout out the area on foot and be sure your skills are up to the test. Third, having the proper gear to deal with unpredictable weather and even unpredictable accidents is important. When experienced riders go out, they always take plenty of water, clothing and a first aid kit. Bicycle safety is simply important. There are too many ways to get hurt without approaching this activity with a safe-minded, systematic approach. Enjoy the weather and fresh air by yourself or with your family by riding safely this summer.