Have you ever at the last minute dodged a bicyclist without reflective clothing on a bike without lights or reflectors? Go Bike Buffalo has two state grants to do something about that.
Go Bike Executive Director Justin Booth says Albany has awarded the group two grants totaling $60,000 to promote bicycle safety.
Safety has become more of an issue as an increasing number of people ride bikes and more are riding year-round, notes Booth. Statistics indicate 30% of fatalities on the roads involve bikes and pedestrians, which is notable especially because they do not amount to 30% of the traffic.
"We would certainly encourage more businesses get out there and support the work that we are doing with Go Bike," says Booth. "We can give these individuals lights. We can give them helmets. We can work with law enforcement to get out there. Instead of giving them tickets, give them the materials that they need to make sure they are safe on the road and hopefully that will help send a message to make sure that they are safe and drivers can see them and make sure that they are acting appropriately as well."
Booth says there's no data showing which is more likely to be involved in an accident, those who are visible and those who aren't. Saying he wants to get home to his wife and children, the Go Bike boss says he rides safely and is highly visible and uses the correct hand signals which drivers are supposed to recognize.
