By Leslie Moses
Eastman and the surrounding towns are beautiful places to walk, run and bike. The roads are not super highways but, rather, narrow, winding and scenic. Sharing these roads around our community requires that we take personal responsibility for our own walking, biking, running and driving safety. We encourage you to take a minute and discuss the following with your children or grandchildren. Ride, run, walk and drive respectfully.
Walkers, Runners and Bikers
WALK AND RUN FACING TRAFFIC
• This allows you to see vehicles and people approaching you so you can react if needed.
BIKE WITH TRAFFIC AND FOLLOW RULES
• The same laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists.
• Obey all traffic signs and lights
• Ride as far to the right as you can
BE SEEN
• Wear brightly colored, reflective clothing
• Bike helmets are encouraged for everyone.
• Bring a flashlight, wear a headlamp or use a bike light if you bike at night
• Use hand signals to indicate your intent
• Try to make eye contact with drivers
BE AWARE
• Avoid wearing headphones or ear-buds
• Listen and watch for approaching vehicles and animals
• Choose your routes with care; look for routes with good shoulders in lower traffic areas
• Ride, walk and run in a predictable way
• Adjust your path to avoid hazards
• Try to ride, walk and run in a straight line
• Don’t dodge or swerve between cars or other obstacles
Drivers
BE AWARE
• Slow down when you come upon walkers, runners or bikers; give them plenty of room
• Avoid using your phone and focus on the road; concentrate on driving
PASS CAREFULLY
• Leave at least 3 feet between you and others if going 30 mph or slower
• Increase that distance if you are going faster
• Do not honk when passing
BE PATIENT
• Don’t pass if you are going to make a right turn. Let the others pass through an intersection before you turn
• Wait to pass if there is oncoming traffic
We can all work together to improve safety through shared awareness, patience, respect and cooperation. Join Recreation at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15 for the Ride of Silence. Participate in a silent, slow-paced bicycle ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. The ride will begin at the Grantham Park & Ride, travel down Route 10 into Croydon and return to Grantham. The rain date will be Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m. Last spring we had over 125 riders participate in the event, which was more participation than New York City and the largest turn out for New England. Let’s increase those numbers and gain more awareness.
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