The start of school is a natural time to ask motorists to be
extra vigilant of pedestrians and bicyclists with whom they are
sharing the road. Young cyclists may not always pay as much
attention as they should, and no driver wants to be involved in
an accident that could seriously injure a youngster.
Unfortunately, in too many cases, some adult bicyclists in our
community aren't setting a particularly good example for younger
riders. Although they complain about cars and trucks not sharing
the road, too many bicyclists aren't willing to do their part by
adhering to standard traffic rules. They slide through stop
signs and red traffic lights and don't properly yield the right
of way at intersections and traffic circles. It's not fair to
expect to be treated as equal traffic partners if you aren't
willing to abide by traffic laws. On the brighter side, it's
gratifying to see so many bicyclists, both young and old,
wearing helmets. A recent bicycle accident on a trail near Lake
Shawnee in Topeka is a reminder of