Be Safe during Bike to Work Week

There is still time to sign up for the VIP Ride being held Friday, May 20 starting at 11:30 a.m. Riders will travel on the recreation trail from Bobzilla’s Bicycle Werks to Edmundson Park. Lunch will be waiting for those who pre-register their participation, and though the ride itself has no participation or entry fee, the lunch cost will be $5 (collected at the lunch site). Lunch registrations will be taken until noon May 19. Grill lunches are being prepared by Hy-Vee. To register, send an email to ask@bobzillabikes.com or go to the Team Mahaska web site (www.teammahaska.org), where information is posted on the home page or go directly to contacts and use the pull-down menu for VIP Ride Registration. Local radio stations will carry announcements should heavy rain or lightening cancel the event. No rain date is scheduled.

Whether you’re a vehicle driver or a bicycle rider, being aware of your surroundings is a key component to sharing the road. Drivers need to be aware of their surroundings and, like drivers, bicyclists must obey all traffic signals, signs and markings.

Here are a few more tips for bicycle safety as your ride your bike to work this week:

* Always wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a crash.
* Ride in the right-most lane that goes in the direction you are traveling.
* Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings.
* Look before you change lanes or signal a turn; indicate your intention, then act.
* Be visible and predictable at all times; wear bright clothing and signal turns.
* Be alert for road hazards.
* Have your bicycle checked over annually by a bike expert.