Celebrate National Bike Month

Caitlin Russo, Eco Cajun

Bryce David riding bike at the first Bicycle Safety Festival held at Parc Sans Souci.

Did you know that May is National Bike Month? Established in 1956, this is the 63rd year of celebrating a fun activity, mode of transportation and health benefit!

Many of us enjoyed riding bicycles at a young age, but how many of us still ride as adults?

My favorite things about riding as an adult are getting to leave my car at home, not worrying about finding a parking spot (my husband and I love to ride our bikes to UL Lafayette football games, Festival International and other downtown events), getting a little exercise and wind in my hair, and exploring Lafayette in a more personal way.

Riding is a great family activity, and with special carriers and trailers, you can even bring your children and/or pets along for the ride. This summer will see us bringing our daughter on her first bike rides and I’m pretty excited about it.

There are so many reasons someone may ride a bicycle in and around Lafayette. Athletes ride for competition, sport or even remembrance. The Gulf Coast Brotherhood Ride is a five-day journey from Eunice to Orange Beach, Alabama, that has about 40 riders cycling this week in honor of fallen first-responders.

So many people, younger and older, ride for exercise, leisure, solitude, or a social activity. Adults commute to work for the 'alone time', gas savings and exercise. Children ride to learn, have fun, visit friends or get to school. College students commute because it's more cost effective.

But most importantly, many people have no other choice for transportation. They may not have the money to buy or maintain a vehicle, but still need to get to work or to the store. They may not even have a driver's license. They may not have time to wait for a city bus.

The number of bicyclists in Lafayette and Acadiana grows every year, so whether it’s National Bike Month or any other time of the year, remember that the most important thing you can do as a driver or a bicyclist is to share the road.

If you’re going to ride a bicycle, make yourself knowledgeable on local ordinances and state laws and follow key safety practices. As a bicyclist, you can know all of the rules and your rights, but that doesn't mean every driver on the road does too. It may not matter much if you know you have the right-of-way, but a driver doesn't know, care or pay attention.

When you ride, always be observant and aware. Ride with traffic, not against it.

When you’re riding in the road, stay as far to the right as is safe, and it is okay to use the shoulder.

Cars must give at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist, until you have safely passed. It's required by law. Cyclists belong on the road, plain and simple.

Always, always have working front and rear lights when you’re riding in the dark. Far too often, I see bicyclists with no lights at night, and they are very hard to see even when on city roads.

Wear a helmet! They’re not the most fun things, but they serve a very important purpose. And make sure everyone in your family uses a helmet when they ride.

Avoid using earbuds while riding, because your music can block important sounds.

Take your bike to a local shop for regular tuneups, just like you would for your car, and learn how to make minor repairs yourself, like changing a bike tube or fixing chain problems.

Get involved in local groups like BikeLafayette or TRAIL, or national organizations like League of American Bicyclists.

Mark your calendars for the fourth annual Bicycle Safety Festival. It’s happening on Saturday, June 1, in Downtown Lafayette.

Now get out on one of Lafayette’s many bike lanes and celebrate National Bike Month!