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With Bicycle Deaths On The Rise, AAA Urges Everyone To Share Road Safely

The sign with a bicycle also says "share the road."
AAA

It’s National Bike Safety Month, and Triple-A has some tips for drivers and bicyclists to share the road safely and avoid any deadly crashes. 

In a recent AAA survey, the majority of bike riders who ride on the road say their number one concern is getting hit by a vehicle. Another main issue was distracted drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 840 bicyclists were killed in crashes in 2016—the highest number on record since 1991. 

“Cyclists deaths are on the rise on our U.S. roadways, and a big reason for that is that there are more bicyclists on the road,” said AAA spokeswoman Lindsey Pavlick. “So, it’s so important especially if you’re a motorist to put down that cell phone, eliminate those distractions, and for bicyclists and motorists to examine your habits while on the road, so we can all get to our destinations safely.”

Triple-A urges bicyclists to ride on the roadway, rather than a sidewalk, use signal turns, wear a helmet, and follow the same rules of the road as other vehicles. Motorists are also urged to stay alert, avoid distractions when driving, and yield to bike riders while turning. 

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.