| Attention Is Needed To Save Bicyclists
On February 8, 2007, Daniel Robert Lewandowski, 57, of Des Moines was
killed while riding his bicycle on SE 14th Street in Des
Moines. Daniel was the first bicyclist of 2007 that was killed and the
sixth bicyclist in the past 12 months. All of the crashes in the past 12
months have involved motor vehicles.
According to initial news reports, Daniel
was traveling southbound in the westernmost lane of SE 14th
Street as was the motor vehicle which left with scene without rendering
aid. Crashes of this type involving a bicyclist struck from behind are
extremely rare during daylight hours.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition urges motorists
to be aware that bicycles are present on the roadway at any time of year.
Motorists need to reduce their speed and drive safely with regard for all
users on the roadway. Dangerous or distracted driving is never acceptable.
In addition to motorist awareness,
implementation of complete streets is one solution to stopping the
preventable deaths of bicyclists and pedestrians. In some cases, roadways
may be retrofitted by narrowing the vehicle lanes to add a wider outside
curb lane or a bicycle lane in order to benefit the safety of the
bicyclist. In most cases, a small investment into motorist awareness can
yield positive results for the safety of all roadway users.
No matter what time of year, many people
travel safely by bicycle. More effort for complete streets, safety
education, traffic calming, and enforcement could encourage more people to
bicycle to their destinations. More bicycling equals less health problems,
traffic congestion and pollution.
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