Screeeeeeech! No other sound scares me more than the squeal of a car braking desperately, especially when I’m riding along Lincoln Way on bicycle (generally unprotected). A bike provides transportation for some, entertainment for others and last but not least — an irritant for vehicle operators.

Since the recent weather has seen people out and about on their two-wheel contraptions, the bike issue has once again popped its wheelie head into the world of motorists. Bike safety continues to be an issue not only on campus, but off campus as well. A friend of mine already has suffered from a minor accident this month.

“I got hit by a car today,” he tells me.

First of all, this is not a good way to start out a story. Intriguing, yes. But it tends to cause a high level of panic in your listener. He went on to explain the scene. Apparently, while flying westward down Lincoln Way atop his Diamondback, he crossed the street near Taco Bell. He had a green light. The walk sign was flashing. Despite his obvious right of way, a car decided to turn right on red. He slammed on his brakes, but it was too late. He flew off the bike on impact. She didn’t even see him until he landed practically under her front tire.

“I was afraid she might run over me,” he said. Luckily he hopped up and rode away with only a few bumps and bruises — and an unharmed bike to boot.

If no damage is done, what’s the problem?

The problem is that this is not an isolated incident. If I had a dime for all the drivers I’ve heard about who almost hit — or actually did hit — someone either walking, running or biking, we could buy everyone a drink on the house during Veishea. Ummm… or at least a cold pop at the Dew the Rec. Anyway, as with all accidents in which no one suffers serious injuries, we innocent bystanders can’t help but think silently, and sometimes even loudly, “It could have been much worse.”

Not everyone can be so lucky. Drivers and bicyclists need to take a few simple precautions to avoid serious injuries or even fatalities.

First, let’s tackle the drivers. Not literally, of course, even though that’s what many a bike rider may feel like doing when drivers refuse to admit someone on a bicycle may have the right of way over their roaring mass of four-wheeled machinery. Let that macho car-over-bike-pride go! I don’t care what it takes. Try group therapy if necessary!

“My name is so and so … and I try to hit bicyclists.”

Also, make careful note of crosswalks. City engineers make crosswalks for a reason — for pedestrians and bike traffic to cross a road without getting in the way of other motorists. When a car drives right up and on top of the crosswalk, it not only blocks that traffic, but also gives off nonverbal signals to pedestrians: “Me first! The heck with etiquette!” Don’t expect a car to wait for you, even if it is faced with a red light.

This was the case of my friend’s cycling mishap. If the driver had looked before going on a light whose color typically means stop, the problem could’ve been avoided.

Bikers can’t plead innocent, either. Darting swiftly through cars, people and wandering geese, the biker may feel invincible. This is a mistake. As a smaller, slower and much less visible part of traffic, bicyclists must take it upon themselves to keep their eyes out for all vehicles. Taking an extra second to look around before crossing. Even if you have the right of way, one short glance might save you from getting flattened by an oncoming CyRide bus. Pay attention to the lights and avoid any games of real life Frogger across a busy road way.

With a little consideration and luck, hopefully our drivers and our bikers can live in harmony and be accident free.

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Joanne Roepke is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Aurora.