AZ India

F E E L A T H O M E www.azindiatimes.com PAGE - 17 Apr 2019 1-844-AZINDIA Celebrate Bicycle Month Safely By Dr. Kohinoor Kar and Mike Cynecki Kohinoor Kar, Ph.D., P.E., PTOE, a profes- sional engineer vastly experienced in roadway, traffic and safety field, has been with the State of Arizona for over 14 years. He has published a number of research papers and presented at several prestigious conferences. Dr. Kar serves on several safety-related advisory committees/ panels at the State, national and international levels. He is currently a Faculty Associate at Ari- zona State University. Michael J. Cynecki, P.E., PTOE retired from the City of Phoenix after a career of 26 years in the Transportation Department, and is current- ly with the consulting firm of Lee Engineering, LLC. Mr. Cynecki is an Emeritus member of the Transportation Research Board Committee on Pedestrians. Many of you may be aware that April is bicycle month in Arizona. Bicyclists at all levels participate in spe- cial events throughout the valley as well as in Tuc- son and Flagstaff. Commuter as well as recreational bicyclists enjoy fun rides, safety events, bike expos and other activities. Many of them are university students and staff on ASU, UA and NAU campuses. You may have enjoyed bicycling back in your home country or state, but may be wondering whether you should continue doing it here in Arizona. In reality, with a relatively flat topography in the Phoenix metro area as well as many other parts of the state and a good year-round weather conditions, Arizona is ideal for bicycling. In fact, Arizona attracts many world class bicyclists, especially during the winter months. Safety being the topmost priority, many communities throughout Arizona have been working to become bi- cycle-friendly. Arizona has its first recognized cross- state US Bike Route (USBR 90) that connects New Mexico with California, and travels through both the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas. More and more cities are adopting Complete Streets policies that provide room for safe bicycling. Most transit services (buses, light rail and streetcar) are bicycle- friendly and can allow individuals to take cross-town trips using a combination of bicycling and transit. Whether you bike for fun or make it a habit to ride to work or school, bicyclists must be responsible and do the following: • Know the rules of the road — you must follow all the rules applicable to motorists wherever prac- tical when riding in the street. • Choose the right bicycle based on your height, purpose and terrain. Parents should not pur- chase a bicycle that is “too big” for their child for the child to “grow into”. • A bicycle helmet is a must before you ride — find the right one that fits your head, and make sure it is worn with the chin strap securely fastened. • A bicyclist must yield to a pedestrian in a cross- walk or on a sidewalk. • When riding on a sidewalk, be extra-cautious at driveways and side streets where drivers may not see or expect you if you are approaching the driv- er in the “unexpected” direction. Know the laws in your community. Some cities prohibit riding on the sidewalk, and some prohibit “wrong way” riding on sidewalks. • Many bike crashes involve right-turning vehi- cles. Be vigilant. Watch for turn signal indica- tors if you are passing a motorist on the right at an intersection or a driveway. • Carry necessary repair tools with you and stay well hydrated while riding. Whether you are an experienced bicyclist or a novice, always keep safety as your topmost priority. If you celebrate bicycling month, please do it safely. The authors would appreciate your questions, com- ments or suggestions on future topics via email ( trafficsafetyexpert@gmail.com) . Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and may not necessarily rep- resent the views of the agencies they are affiliated with. Information is for general awareness and not intended to substitute for professional advice, and thus the authors cannot be held accountable for any- thing contained in this article. Wondrous World The words Provence & lavender have become so synonymous with each other over the decades that you can hardly mention one without the other: The dusky purple shades and delicate fragrances that decorate its fields every summer are now so emblematic of the region, and even of France itself, that the Provence lavender fields have very much become a tourist attraction in their own right. Lav- ender is not exclusive to Provence or even to France ; there are lavender farms to be found in many parts of the world, as far afield as New South Wales & Western Australia, Tuscany & Sicily, Italy, and even in fact in some southerly regions of the UK., but none of these regions can compete with Provence in terms of tradition, and of sheer scale.