Guest written by Stephanie Forte, Southern Nevada Bicycle Coalition
This year marked the 20th anniversary of Bike to Work Day, celebrated on Friday, May 21. The milestone comes at an interesting time in Las Vegas, just after a pandemic-inspired cycling boom and as businesses around the valley ramp up to pre-pandemic practices. With more cyclists than ever zipping to work alongside motorists to mark the occasion this year, the Southern Nevada Bicycle Coalition (SNVBC) teamed up with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) for a Ride Safe gear giveaway. But cyclists weren’t the only people lining up to gear up to stay safe.
More than 150 people visited RTC’s Bike Center, located in Downtown Las Vegas, during the four-and-a-half-hour event. People were keen to learn more about SNVBC’s Ride Safe, five critical points of cyclist safety, and to pick up free gear. More than 100 bicycle helmets were given to commuter cyclists and youth who ride their bikes to school. The helmets will help them follow the first point on the SNVBC’s Ride Safe campaign, Protect Your Head.
Hundreds of bicycle lights and bright colored t-shirts were passed out so people can Be Visible, the second point of SNVBC’s strategy. And more than 100 people took home RTC’s bike map so they can Pick Bike-Friendly Routes to work or school; this is the safety plan’s third point. The two remaining points that were discussed with people are Be Predictable and Ride Defensively. Cyclists and pedestrians also received postcards with the Ride Safe 5-point safety strategy to keep handy and share with others.
SNVBC didn’t expect the many pedestrians who got in the queue and shared their safety concerns. Some people who use walkers talked about their fear of not being seen by motorists while crossing the street. So SNVBC volunteers jumped into action and attached flashing bicycle lights to several walkers and wheelchairs to make people more visible during the day and at night.
“This event helped us to understand people’s concerns better and to outfit them with the gear they need to ride or walk safely,” said Rob Hutchinson, SNVBC president. And the SNVBC will continue to address these needs to reach its goal of helping to make Nevada a zero-fatality state.
To learn more about Ride Safe or to become a member of the SNVBC, visit www.snvbc.org.
