HUNTSVILLE, AL—
Dave Stone is a League Cycling Instructor and serves on the City of Huntsville's Bike Advisory & Safety Committee. He says the weekend accident in Tennessee involving a vehicle which killed his friend and fellow cyclist Sharon Bayler is tragic, but he hopes that it will shed some light on the law in Alabama and how it applies to bicycles on the road."You do not ride a bicycle, you drive a bicycle," said Stone. "You follow the same rules of the road that every other vehicle on the roadways should follow."
Stone says that it's important for everyone to know the rules of the road.
"A cyclist is to ride as far right as practicable. Most people interpret that as being as far right as possible and it does not have the same meaning," said Stone.
The Alabama State Law, Section 32-5A-260 states: "Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application."
Stone says unfortunately, "most cyclists ride as far right as possible and that actually increases their risks. Very few crashes occur from being hit behind by a motorist."
Stone says that in most crashes that involve being hit from behind, it is not the front bumper which hits cyclists but the side view mirror or right rear quarter panel of a vehicle which makes contact.
Stone says the safest way to ride a bicycle is to use the full lane. When cyclists drive that way, "it forces motorists to pass like they would any other vehicle in the next lane over and they reduce the crashes."
Stone says Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle has done a great job in helping to promote safety and adding signs to some of the roads in Huntsville.
"The Battle administration has been fantastic in supporting the cycling community," said Stone.
On May 15, Mayor Battle will hold the second annual Mayor's Bike Ride to help educate and promote cycling safety in Huntsville.
Stone says the Bike Advisory & Safety Committee on which he served with Sharon Bayler will miss the joy she brought and her productive nature.
"There is going to really be a hole with out her presence."
Visitation for Sharon Bayler is Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at Madison Chapel Funeral Home, which is located at 8521 Highway 72 West in Madison. The funeral is later that evening at 7:30 p.m. She will be buried in Kentucky. Here is her online memorial book.
