On December 15, 2009, Jepson Livingston was riding his bike in a Chicago suburb when he was struck and killed by an aggressive driver. Unfortunately, accidents like Jepson's are far too common in Illinois and across the United States.
In 2008, over 700 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In Illinois alone, the Department of Transportation notes that there were 15 recorded deaths of cyclists from 2006 to 2008.
To honor those cyclists and bring awareness to bicycle safety, volunteers organized the Ride of Silence this past May; one of over 300 such rides organized globally each year. Elizabeth Adamczyck, organizer of Chicago's Ride of Silence says that the ride is about bringing awareness to respectfully sharing the road with bicyclists as well as remembering those killed in accidents.
Staying Safe While Riding
With over 700 deaths a year and countless injuries from biking, there are certainly risks associated with the activity. Cycling injuries represent nearly 2 percent of all traffic fatalities. However, there are things you can do to safely enjoy the ride. The NHTSA lists several minor precautions that riders can do to stay safe on the road:
- Wear reflective clothing and bright colors, even in daylight
- Check your equipment - tires, brakes, other maintenance
- Avoid road hazards
- Avoid riding at night
- Signal all moves - left, right and stopping/slowing down
- Stay alert
Perhaps the most important thing you can do to stay safe while riding is to wear a helmet. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 91 percent of riders killed in accidents were not wearing helmets. Also be sure to obey traffic laws, signs and signals.
