STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) – With the snow melting, more cyclists are hitting the roads and trails. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says in 2024, a bicyclist was killed or hurt about every 11 hours.<\/p>\n
Scott Cole, general manager of Hostel Shoppe, has been cycling for 40 years. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt used to be that if you were on the back roads by the dairy farms, it was pretty safe,\u201d Cole said. \u201cBut sometimes people assume that if they\u2019re on the back roads, they can maybe text more or use their phones more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole was out riding Saturday, covering just over 25 miles on his gravel bike. He said visibility is key. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest thing when you\u2019re out on the road, especially, is being visible,\u201d Cole said.<\/p>\n
Cyclists should have a white light on the front of their bike and a red flashing light on the rear. Riders should also wear reflective gear like a helmet or shirt.<\/p>\n
Cole said he stays alert by avoiding distractions.<\/p>\n
Many cities are looking at expanding bike lanes and improving trails to make biking safer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very aware, I don\u2019t use ear buds or headphones when I\u2019m out,\u201d Cole said. \u201cI want to try to be able to hear the cars and we\u2019ve got into more hybrid cars. The cars have gotten quieter, so they\u2019re harder to hear when they come up, especially if it\u2019s windy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole also recommends having a form of ID in case of an accident.<\/p>\n
Crash data and defensive riding<\/p>\n
In 2024, there were 894 crashes involving bicyclists in Wisconsin. Many involved motorists are failing to yield.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlways try to be defensive when you\u2019re out there because a lot of times cars aren\u2019t looking for cyclists on certain roads,\u201d Cole said. \u201cRide roads that aren\u2019t; they don\u2019t have high traffic counts on them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cyclists can also join a cycling club to look out for one another. Sydney Evans works with Cole and is an avid cyclist. She is part of the Stevens Point Cycling Club.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always try to respect motorists and we give them ample room and we hope that they give us ample room because we are just sharing the road together,\u201d Evans said.<\/p>\n
Rules for motorists<\/p>\n
Motorists should leave at least three feet when passing cyclists.<\/p>\n
Cyclists who are still worried about visibility can get a tool that will alert them when a car is approaching from 150 to 200 yards away. It also makes the rear light flash faster so cars see the rider.<\/p>\n
Cole said cyclists should obey all traffic laws.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust trying to be safe and following the rules of the road,\u201d Cole said. \u201cBecause anytime we\u2019re out there, motorists expect us to stop at stop signs. We expect them to stop at stop signs. And to stay in their lane, especially if they\u2019re coming towards us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Motorists should remember that bicycles are vehicles. Cyclists need room to get around things like potholes. Drivers should change lanes to pass a cyclist traveling in a narrow lane.<\/p>\n
Cyclists going out alone should tell someone when and where they are going, and keep an ID with them.<\/p>\n
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