Cyclists young and old will be on the road more often as summer rolls along. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Sharing the Road

SGI, Parkland Ambulance, urge caution from drivers, cyclists alike

Jul 6, 2022 | 5:00 PM

With summer in full swing, and with the price of gas climbing to absurd new heights, you might see more cyclists out on the road this time of year. For both drivers and cyclists, that means adjusting and sharing the road accordingly.

SGI has issued a release urging drivers to share the road with all manner of other road users. On the highways, this can mean people towing boats or mobile homes. On city streets, this will likely mean pedestrians and cyclists.

“In and around the city, be mindful of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles that will be out enjoying the weather,” said SGI in a release. “These vulnerable road users are at a higher risk of injury in a collision than people in passenger vehicles.”

Sharing the road, however, is a two-way street. Since they are more vulnerable in a collision with a car, Parkland Ambulance is urging cyclists to take some extra precautions when they get out on the road.

“Whether that’s in the city or at the lake, the rules of the road are simply the same,” said Lyle Karasiuk, director of public affairs with Parkland Ambulance. “One, single file. Two, make sure you’re wearing the gear.”

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According to Karasiuk, that gear means wearing appropriate footwear (no open-toed sandals or flip flops) and, most importantly, a helmet. While he said a helmet won’t make you immune to injury, it can certainly lessen one.

“Over the years we’ve seen lots of those conditions where a helmet has absolutely made the difference and you might say saved someone’s life,” said Karasiuk.

For those cycling out at the lake, it can be tempting to take a bit of a mental break with much less traffic around. Karasiuk cautioned against this, however, noting that there are still cars out and about. He also said it’s important to follow the rules of the road no matter where you are.

“Even at the lake where you might not find a stop sign on your lake road, you should still be mindful,” Karasiuk said. “Pedaling out of the driveway without looking both ways and somebody coming down the trail is going to be, probably, a recipe for a collision.”

Karasiuk added he wanted to encourage people to get out and cycle, whether to commute or just for fun because summer is “way too short in our part of the country.”

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP