After a number of bike crashes in southern Wisconsin recently, the head of the Wisconsin Bike Fed is urging both riders and drivers to pay more attention to the road. We get some tips on how to stay safe while riding. As stawberry season kicks off, a strawberry growers gives us advice for picking the best berries. Then, we talk to a public health expert about the FDA’s decision to ban trans fat from processed foods.
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After Recent Fatal Crashes, Bike Advocate Stresses Importance Of Biking Safety
A handful of serious bicycle crashes in southern Wisconsin — some fatal — have made headlines in recent weeks. For many bike riders, these crashes highlight the dangers that go along with sharing the road with vehicles, but one local bike expert says a little bit of preparation can go a long way in ensuring safety for cyclists and motorists alike.
Zachary Barnes, central region director of the Wisconsin Bike Federation, said that safety is something all riders should take into account.
“Even though the endorphins are running high, and it’s so fun, so free to be out on the bike, there are responsibilities, just like driving any vehicle out there, to make sure we don’t injure someone else or hurt ourselves,” said Barnes.
That means taking a few moments before biking to consider some of the same things one would when jumping in a car.
To that end, Barnes said it can be helpful to think of a bike as a vehicle rather than a toy or a recreational object.
“I say, ‘I’m going to drive my bike,’ as I’m preparing myself,” he said, reinforcing the fact that bicycles are considered vehicles on the road. “That’s a whole different treatment of how we feel out on the road.”
For newcomers to bike commuting or road riding, Barnes encouraged getting out and practicing before hitting the streets. He said finding a “bike buddy” can be a great way to have fun biking, while also learning the ins and outs of biking in traffic.
He also encouraged outfitting bikes with lights and reflectors that help with lateral visibility so others on the road can see a cyclist from all angles.
Once out on the road, Barnes said predictability is the most important thing for cyclists to consider. That means riding according to the rules of the road, not making sudden and rash decisions and being aware of the current conditions.
In addition, he said it also means being courteous, not just to motorists, but pedestrians.
“We find that out on trails, people are stressed out about bicyclists passing too close or things like that,” Barnes said. “We can pass it along by really showing courtesy.”
Barnes also encourages motorists to give up the car for a day and try getting out on the bike.
“The best way to improve our safety is to get more folks riding,” he said. “It decongests our streets of traffic, but it also just helps to step into someone else’s shoes (who) might do it every day.”
For more guidance on how bikes and cars can have a more peaceful co-existence on the roads, Barnes encouraged both cyclists and motorists to check out the Share and Be Aware program, which is working to reduce the number of crashes and traffic fatalities involving bicyclists and pedestrians.
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Safe Bike Riding Advice
With a handful of recent bike fatalties in Wisconsin, our guest gives us safe bike riding advice for the summer season.
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Gearing Up For Strawberry Season
Strawberrry season is kicking into high gear here in Wisconsin. Our guest gives us advice for how to pick the best berries and shraes a few tasty ways to eat them.
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FDA Decides To Ban Trans Fat
On Tuesday the Food and Drug Administration announced that food manufacturers will have three years to remove all partially-hydrogenated oils from their products. Partially hydrogenated oils are the primary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods. A public health expert discusses trans fat and the how the FDA’s decision might affect the average American.
Episode Credits
- Rob Ferrett Host
- Veronica Rueckert Host
- Chris Malina Producer
- Amanda Magnus Producer
- Zachary Barnes Guest
- Nino Ridgway Guest
- Dr. Patrick Remington Guest
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