The warm November days have prompted quite a bit of unseasonable outdoor activity lately.
As strollers, bike riders and dog walkers take to the sidewalks, trails and streets to enjoy the last vestiges of warm weather, early and beautiful sunsets serve to make the early evening hours a bit more dangerous for unprepared outdoor enthusiasts. Because the end of Daylight Saving Time ensures sunset begins around the time most people are driving home from work, motorists should vigilantly look out for pedestrians and bicyclists. A long day at work combined with increased glare on the windshield can make it difficult to see walkers and bicyclists in the roadway or crossing the street. Drivers should anticipate bike riders and pedestrians to do the unexpected. Even thought they shouldn’t, walkers and bikers sometimes don’t observe traffic lights, shoot out from unexpected places, and weave in and out of traffic. Children often don’t appreciate the danger they create for themselves and others, and, therefore, pose the greatest risk. Newtonians have more and better walking paths, sidewalks and nature trails to choose from than ever before, and the recent improvements to Sand Creek have created wonderfully scenic places to stroll by yourself, with friends or with your favorite pet. In areas where sidewalks are not provided or are inaccessible, pedestrians should walk against the flow of vehicle traffic in order to see oncoming cars and to make eye contact with drivers as they approach. It’s a good idea to wear reflective clothing or accessories and carry handheld flashlights even during the day in an effort to be seen. The use of headphones or earbuds, while providing a pleasing or motivating soundtrack to your excursion, may also isolate you from the noises of traffic and oncoming danger. I’ve been so deeply engrossed in an audio book-powered stroll before that I found myself far from home at the end of a chapter and in need of a ride. Bicycle riders are almost constantly reminded to wear helmets when riding, and this practice remains a fantastic way to reduce the severity of traumatic brain injuries in the event of a crash, but perhaps the most effective method of injury reduction is prevention. Young riders are heavily influenced by their parents, and I can’t think of a better way to “crash-proof” a child than by teaching and modeling safe riding practices on family bike rides. As opposed to walkers, bicyclists should ride with the flow of traffic. One recent study found riding the wrong way is three times as dangerous as riding with the flow of traffic for adults and up to seven times as dangerous for kids. This is staggering and important information, but information I simply didn’t have the first time I got lost on my bicycle as a curious 8-year-old. Standard equipment for bike riders should be a good bike light with fresh batteries, a bell or horn to announce their approach to an intersection or group of pedestrians, reflective clothing or accessories, and as good a helmet as is affordable. A little bit of Styrofoam and plastic strapped to your head is no match for a 3,000-pound automobile, but a properly fitted bike helmet serves to absorb the energy of impact and insulate your brain in the event of a collision. Bicycle helmets are available in virtually any color, style and price range. A good bike helmet could literally make the difference between a nasty bump on the head and a life-altering or fatal brain injury. The best way to reduce traffic accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists is for everyone to be hyper-vigilant when driving, riding and walking. A sense of shared responsibility goes a long way toward ensuring everyone’s safety. An excellent bicycle safety resource is found at bicyclesafe.com. Scott Metzler is a battalion chief with the Newton Fire/EMS Department. Contact him at scottmetzler@newtonfireems.BURRTON —
