You'd expect lots of bike industry press releases and bicycling news in the general media this month as May is National Bike Month.
But I was surprised that the American Automobile Association took the time to encourage its members to share the road with bicycles.
Maybe they recognize that bicycle transportation is one very good solution to traffic congestion.
Or that using bicycles instead of cars for trips under 2 miles will reduce the fossil fuel emissions that are contributing to air pollution and global warming. [See the 2-mile challenge]
Or the demand for crude oil is reduced everytime someone chooses a bike trip over a car trip, making it less necessary for oil industry companies like BP, TransOcean and Halliburton to exceed their federal drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico.
Or, maybe they just want to reduce carnage on the streets and highways, where 716 bicyclists were killed and 52,000 injured in crashes with motor vehicles in 2008.
Whatever it is, I appreciate their good tidings.
Among the AAA's suggestions for motorists:
— Allow 3 feet when of passing space between your car and the cyclist;
— Be patient;
— Pay attention to blind spots (double check before changing lanes, making right-hand turns or before opening your car door on the traffic side when parked);
— Be attentive on side streets and neighborhoods;
— Use good common sense.
Of course, some AAA chapters can't see how it's in their interest to support bicycling. The Mid Atlantic AAA blasted the installation of bike lanes in Pennsylvania Avenue. Greater Greater Washington writes more about this.
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