Sedalia is a great city for bicyclists. The Katy Trail calls out to long-distance cyclists, broad avenues with ample sidewalks welcome bike-commuters, and pleasant country roads stretch out in any direction. May’s warmer weather brings more cyclists to Pettis County roads and the Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages sharing the road with our two-wheeled friends.
May is bicycle safety month, and preliminary statistics for 2020 indicate Missouri could be more mindful of bicycle safety by these facts; eight people were killed in 2020 and 369 were injured in 437 traffic crashes involving a bicycle.
Ebby Norman owns Pro-Velo bicycle shop at 310 S. Ohio Ave. and thinks cyclists should know the rules of the road to help them retain bicycle rights.
“We need to follow the rules of the road,” said Norman. “That way we can continue to justify our use of the road.”
Norman knows cyclists have a place on the street and can safely share the road with other traffic.
“In the State of Missouri we actually have the same rights to the road as farm equipment,” Norman said.
According to Missouri law, “A bicyclist is required to ride as near the right side of the roadway as is safe, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction; except when making a left turn, when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle, or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride abreast when not impeding other vehicles. Bicyclists must also obey all traffic signals and signs, the same as required of drivers of other vehicles. Use hand signals to let others know you will turn left, right, or stop.”
Bicyclists will often go to great lengths to be seen by cars wearing garish fluorescent colors, attaching flashing lights and raising flags to warn traffic to steer clear. Norman said he hopes drivers will see the bikes and give them ample room.
“You come up on a bicycle and you have to slow down momentarily to make sure it's safe to pass them,” said Norman. “Then you safely pass them, and you accelerate back up to speed and carry on down the road. You're losing about seven seconds of your life. It may seem like an eternity while you're behind the wheel of your car, but isn’t that cyclist’s life worth seven seconds?”
Though law states cyclists should ride as close to the right side of the roadway as possible, Norman warns some cyclists require a bit more room.
“I could literally ride on the white line, I've been riding my bike long enough,” said Norman, “but some people need 18 to 24 inches to safely ride on the right side of the road because they might not be as steady.”
Bicyclists don’t have any mandated safety gear except working brakes, and while helmets aren’t required by law in Missouri, they are highly recommended.
“It's not a state law, but it's just a good idea,” said Norman. “You know what your grey matter’s worth; I personally feel naked without one.”
Missouri law requires bicycles to have the following when riding at night:
• A white light mounted to the front of the bicycle or carried by the rider which is visible at 500 feet.
• A rear-facing red reflector of at least two square inches or a red lamp that is visible at 600 feet.
• Reflective material and/or lights visible from the front and rear on any moving part of the bicycle’s pedals or crank arms, or the bicyclist’s shoes or lower legs, which can be seen at 200 feet.
Norman suggests flashing red lights.
“We find that a blinking tail light gets attention, we’re kind of Pavlovian,” said Norman. “We are conditioned to just respond in appropriate ways to flashing red lights, horns and whistles.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol also recommends;
• Making sure your bicycle is in good working condition. Check it before each ride.
• Wearing a bicycle helmet while riding as it is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself. Be sure your helmet is the proper size, adjust the straps for a snug fit.
• Never carry passengers.
• Walk your bike across busy intersections.
• Don’t hitch rides on other vehicles.
• Give pedestrians the right-of-way.
• Use a horn or bell to warn those who may not see you.
• Don’t perform stunts on streets or sidewalks.
• Keep both hands on the handlebars except when signaling.
• Wear light-colored or reflective clothing when riding after dark.
• Keep your bicycle in good condition.
If you require bicycle maintenance or safety equipment, visit Pro-Velo Bicycles at 310 S. Ohio Ave. or visit pro-velo.com.
