A cyclist was hit from behind by a motorist on Femrite Dr near the Interstate on Tuesday night and killed . According to a Sheriff's Department spokesperson speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash. There is not much to say about this particular tragedy but it is good excuse to review some night time riding practices. Hopefully this is a review for most of you. The law requires cyclists to have a light on the front of their bike that shines 500 feet and a rear reflector. While I see these as minimal standards, only 20% of cyclists in town have a front light- a fact that astounds me. In unlit areas, such as the place where this cyclist was hit, most crashes happen from overtaking vehicles. I would not rely on a 2 square inch of plastic to protect my life ,so a light on the back is a great idea, especially if you are riding in unlit areas. Most night time crashes in urban, lit, areas happen when the motorist is driving toward the cyclist. The most common crash type at night is the same as during the day, the motorist turns left into a cyclist coming straight at them. That's why a front light is so important. Those flashing lights can be annoying but they significantly increase your visibility. In short , don't worry about being too visible and of course it is especially important to follow safe bicycling practices. Steve Meiers Safety educator (608) 267-1102 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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