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October is International Walk/Bike to School Month
Share the Road Task Force addresses safety
By: Glen Reese
October is International Walk/Bike to School Month, and Raytown students can benefit from the observance.
“Walking or bicycling to school is good for the kids and they love it,” Missouri Bicycle Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh said. “When I was going to school myself, the majority of kids walked or biked to school. Now just a few do. Kids who walk and bicycle have better health and do better academically. It's fun, it's great exercise and it builds community.”
Todd Pennington owns the Bike Stop at 4013 Sterling. He's all for kids going two-wheeling.
“I'm for anything to get kids off the couch, away from the computers and on their bikes,” Pennington said. “We want to get them in shape. Biking to school should be left up to the parents. It depends on the child's proximity to the school. We want them to be safe.”
A Share the Road Task Force was held earlier this month in an effort to educate motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists about traffic laws.
It's important for the cyclists to obey the rules of the street, Pennington said.
“They have to follow the same rules as if they were driving an automobile,” Pennington said. “You have the same rights on the road, but you also have the same responsibilities with traffic signs, traffic lights and things of that nature. They need to know that cars aren't always going to see them. They need to be alert.”
Pennington recommended installing blinking lights on bikes, and suggested rear-view mirrors so that riders will know what is coming from behind.
Pennington also had a warning for motorists.
“There are a lot of people riding bikes these days,” Pennington said. “Try to give them enough space on the shoulder of the road. A bicycle can fall over very easily with somebody on it. If they fall over into your lane of traffic you're responsible. Give them plenty of room.”
The bike business is booming. Adults are riding to work to save on gas, to get more exercise and for recreation.
“It's the fun thing to do,” Pennington said. “It's a situation where bicyclists and motorists need to learn how to share the road together.”
Staff writer Glen Reese can be reached at 358-6307 or greese@npgco.com.
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“Walking or bicycling to school is good for the kids and they love it,” Missouri Bicycle Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh said. “When I was going to school myself, the majority of kids walked or biked to school. Now just a few do. Kids who walk and bicycle have better health and do better academically. It's fun, it's great exercise and it builds community.”
Todd Pennington owns the Bike Stop at 4013 Sterling. He's all for kids going two-wheeling.
“I'm for anything to get kids off the couch, away from the computers and on their bikes,” Pennington said. “We want to get them in shape. Biking to school should be left up to the parents. It depends on the child's proximity to the school. We want them to be safe.”
A Share the Road Task Force was held earlier this month in an effort to educate motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists about traffic laws.
It's important for the cyclists to obey the rules of the street, Pennington said.
“They have to follow the same rules as if they were driving an automobile,” Pennington said. “You have the same rights on the road, but you also have the same responsibilities with traffic signs, traffic lights and things of that nature. They need to know that cars aren't always going to see them. They need to be alert.”
Pennington recommended installing blinking lights on bikes, and suggested rear-view mirrors so that riders will know what is coming from behind.
Pennington also had a warning for motorists.
“There are a lot of people riding bikes these days,” Pennington said. “Try to give them enough space on the shoulder of the road. A bicycle can fall over very easily with somebody on it. If they fall over into your lane of traffic you're responsible. Give them plenty of room.”
The bike business is booming. Adults are riding to work to save on gas, to get more exercise and for recreation.
“It's the fun thing to do,” Pennington said. “It's a situation where bicyclists and motorists need to learn how to share the road together.”
Staff writer Glen Reese can be reached at 358-6307 or greese@npgco.com.