Tips for safe bicycling this summer

Sunshine has returned to the Idaho Panhandle, and with the warmer temperatures, there are more bicycles on the road — and the potential for more accidents involving them.

Because so many roads throughout Bonner County do not offer bike lanes, the possibility of incident increases greatly. As bicyclists and semitruck drivers often share the roads as they travel, the Idaho Trucking Advisory Council in partnership with the Idaho Transportation Department has released tips that aim to keep everyone safe this spring and summer.

“From the largest vehicle to the smallest, sharing the road helps keep everyone safe,” staff said in a Facebook post.

A big factor in bicycle accidents is the many winding roads Bonner County has. Both motor vehicles and cyclists often can’t see around the blind curves, which can raise chances for collisions if not paying attention.

“Narrow mountain roads that can be a fun challenge for cyclists are a nightmare for truck drivers,” staff said. “Both should stay alert for what is around the next bend.”

ITD officials also urged everyone to stay alert and not drive distracted. Headphones should not be worn while cycling to avoid not hearing approaching vehicles or car horns that may be alerting the cyclist of a danger. Wearing headphones when driving, while legal in Idaho, can also prevent drivers from hearing other car horns or emergency vehicle sirens.

Cyclists should also remain aware of oncoming vehicles, both from the front and the rear, to avoid taking up too much space on the road while cars are trying to pass them.

“Cyclists can ride two across but should move right and single file when vehicles come up behind, especially if the road is narrow,” ITDstaff said.

Staff also urge cyclists to exercise extreme caution when around larger trucks like box trucks or semis as it takes them longer to stop.