Are You Keeping Bicyclists Safe with Your Driving Habits?

We all believe in being good neighbors in Springfield, but do you remember that when your Honda is sharing the road with bicyclists?

Drivers often express frustration with bikes: they come out of nowhere; they're too slow; they hog the road. When you're feeling frustrated, remember, bicyclists are human beings just trying to enjoy the weather and get exercise. They're so much more than roadside obstacles.

In fact, the blasé attitude many drivers have toward cyclists may be partly to blame for why bicycle traffic deaths increased by 12.2 percent in 2015.

The Governors Highway Safety Association recommends drivers help keep bicyclists safe by driving the speed limit, refraining from texting and driving, looking twice for cyclists before making a turn (and coming to a full stop before turning right at a red light), giving bicycles at least three feet of clearance when passing, and slowing down to allow bikes to use the full lane of traffic when passing is unsafe.