Bicycle Safety Rides on Education

* Re “Bucking Trend, O.C. Bike Fatalities Rise,” April 10:

Perhaps if the DMV emphasized more education related to bicycles, pedestrians and motorcycles in its handbook and driving exams (both written and the actual driving test), more car drivers would become aware of others sharing the road.

Motorcycle riders have realized for many years that they are invisible to car drivers. Bicycle riders and pedestrians should take their lead.

DON DANIELSON

Huntington Beach

* While a lot of emphasis is placed on providing bike lanes and paths in an attempt to increase bicycling safety, the importance of bicyclist education is often overlooked.

Twice a week I bicycle from my home in Orange to work in Aliso Viejo. During my rides to and from work, I see many other bicyclists engaged in unsafe cycling practices, such as riding on the sidewalk, against traffic or without lights at night.

Many of these cyclists are probably unaware that these behaviors put them at greater risk compared to bicyclists lawfully riding in the roadway.

Bicyclists on the roadway who follow the rules of the road (like other vehicle users) have a very low accident rate, even in heavy traffic.

Bike lanes and paths will not help bicyclists who ride unpredictably and don’t realize that they lack important traffic riding skills.

Only education, such as the cycling traffic skills taught by the League of American Bicyclists, will help these cyclists to become safe.

BRIAN DeSOUSA

California Assn. of

Bicycling Organizations

Orange County representative

Orange