May is Bike Safety Month. What Every Sioux Falls Cyclist Needs to Know

With the return of warmer weather, motorists are going to start seeing more and more bicyclists on Sioux Falls city streets.

If you're currently a bike owner or are thinking about buying a bicycle soon, you should know that May is National Bike Safety Month. And the city of Sioux Falls is reminding motorists to be on the lookout for cyclists as they navigate our city streets.

Dakota News Now reports that almost 1,200 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes, and almost 50,000 were injured in automobile-related accidents in 2023 alone.

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A scary number to stay the least.

According to Dakota News Now, data shows that only 18% of cyclists wear helmets, and that's after research that shows that 70 to 80% of fatal bicycle crashes involve head injuries.

Here are some essential bike safety tips everyone should follow:

• Wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Ride with the flow of traffic.
• Use hand signals.
• Be visible. Wear bright clothing, especially while riding around dusk or at night.
• Obey all traffic laws.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Always keep both hands on the handlebars.

Peter Oien, owner of Spoke-N-Sport in Sioux Falls, told Dakota News Now, “Helmets are awesome these days. They’re a great way to protect your brain, ya know, $100 for a helmet is so much cheaper than a new brain. I really recommend using one all the time. They’re really comfortable now, too. They’re not the old hard hat Snell type of helmets that we’re used to from 30 to 40 years ago. Another thing that I really recommend to people is daytime running lights. We have them now for bikes too, and they’re actually pretty cheap."

Cyclists need to remember that their bike is their vehicle.

That means traffic rules apply to you too. It's imperative to always follow the rules of the road, especially the rules that pertain to bicycles on well-traveled city streets and on the trail systems throughout Sioux Falls.

READ MORE: Speed Limits Going Up in South Dakota Neighboring State 

Be a defensive driver. Watch out for the other guy. Take the necessary actions to avoid potential accidents. The key is to always be aware of your surroundings.

Falls Area Bicyclists hosts a smart cycling safety course for those interested in learning how to better ride their bike in high-traffic, urban areas. You can reach out to them for more details.

Source: Dakota News Now