Norman police are urging bicycling safety

NORMAN — Police this week issued bicycle safety tips after reporting the city had 80 collisions between bicyclists and motor vehicles from June 2007 through June of this year.

"A frequent cause of accidents involving bicycles is vehicles getting too close when passing them, and either sideswiping them, hitting them with a rearview mirror or causing them to run off the road and crash,” Capt. Leonard Judy said in the news release.

According to state law, a motorist can be fined up to $500 if the person seriously injures a bicyclist by driving too close; and up to $1,000 and possible additional penalties if the cyclist is killed.

Drivers also are urged to watch for bicyclists, as they are less visible than motor vehicles, and to help bicyclists and other drivers by avoiding sudden changes in direction and by using turn signals.

Bicyclists can help themselves, the statement said, by wearing a safe and properly fitted helmet, having lights or reflectors when traveling at night, and by wearing light or bright colors, depending on time of day, to increase visibility.

Making sure the bicycle is in good repair and that tires are properly inflated also are important, Judy said. He noted that bicyclists must observe the same laws, signs and signals that drivers of motor vehicles do.

A frequent cause of accidents involving bicycles is vehicles getting too close when passing them, and either sideswiping them, hitting them with a rearview mirror or causing them to run off the road and crash.”

Capt. Leonard Judy
Norman Police Department