2019 National Bike Month

National Bike Month Encourage Ped-Powered Participation

Bicycling is a big draw for Limestone County with the 89-mile Noah Bike Trail crisscrossing the scenic byways from Elkmont to the Elk River.   A harbinger of warmer weather is the Kreme Krushers who meet at Kreme Delite on Washington Street in Athens and pedal a portion, if not all of the trail.  Other cycling groups come from Madison County to pedal the route as well.

You’re going to see more bicyclist than normal in May with the...

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... Alabama Backroad Century Series Spring Krusher peddling a 30-mile ride, a Century Ride (100-mile) and a Metric Century (103-mile) series on May 4th over three routes that cover northern Limestone County including part of downtown Athens.   The Annual Spring Krusher is held to benefit Family Service Center, a service that also provides assistance in Limestone County.

​The 89-mile Noah Bike Trail winds through northern Limestone County on county roads passing through Athens, Elkmont, Salem and many other small communities.    The scenic path of the trail passes the Ardmore Welcome Center ‘s giant rocket, several historic cemeteries, the Elk River Canoe and Kayak Trail, the Richard Martin Rails-to-Trails, the Elk River and even passes near a covered bridge.

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​The Richard Martin Rails-to-Trails is option for off-road cyclist to enjoy the scenery between Veto and Elkmont.  The southern end at Mitchell-Coffman Park is closed while two bridges between the park and Elkmont under restoration but that doesn’t mean that off-road cyclist still won’t have fun pedaling the northern end of the trail. ​

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Wednesdays take off-road cycling to the dirt and trails of Wheeler Wildlife Refuge near Mooresville when Southern Carnage host their weekly Gravel Rides at 7:00PM starting at the store in Mooresville, weather permitting.   Riders of this trek get to see portions of Mooresville and adjacent refuge that can’t be experienced any other way than bicycling.  No bike?  No problem – just rent on of Southern Carnage’s bikes for the ride.

Celebrating National Bike Month is easy with these options but the family can enjoy National Bike to School Day on May 8, 2019 or National Bike to Work Day on May 17, 2019.   These two events encourage communities to take to their bikes for the day in support of health and the environment. 

Other ways you can celebrate and participate in National Bike Month in Limestone County is to welcome cyclist of all ages into the community, share the road with cyclist and know the best and safest ways to share the road, advocate for safe cycling routes,  and share the joy of cycling with family and friends.

One reminder the Alabama Department of Transportation offers is “I Give 3 Feet” – state law requires a minimum driving distance of three feet from cyclist should be kept to protect them from dangers such a side view mirror collision or wind from a vehicle pushing them over.    Cyclist needs space – just like vehicles – to maneuver in the event of road debris or avoid an obstacle in the road like a pothole.

In 2017, Drive Safe Alabama recorded 212 bicyclists were injured and 6 bicyclist were killed on Alabama roads.   Children aged 15 and under accounted for 11% of 2017 bicycle crash injuries according to Drive Safe Alabama.  The Center for Disease Control sites that in 2010 that fatal and non-fatal crash-related injuries to cyclist resulted in lifetime medical cost and productivity losses of $10 billion.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributed 840 bicyclist deaths to traffic crashes in 2016.

 
Safety Tips for Motorists

• Same rules of the road apply. Remember that bicyclists have the same rights as people behind the wheel.
• When roads are narrow and passing with a 3-foot buffer is not possible, slow down and wait to pass when safe.
• Be Careful at Intersections: Assume bicyclists are traveling through intersections unless they signal otherwise, and yield to them as you would a slow-moving vehicle. Do not turn left or right in front of bicyclists unless you can do so safely.
• Put Away Distractions: Over 1,100 crashes happen each day across the country due to distracted drivers. Stay focused on the road, and don’t text and drive – it’s the law to keep us all safe.
• Don’t Use Your Horn: It’s startling to the bicyclists. Wait to pass until it’s safe to do so.
• If you are traveling over 25 MPH, operating a large vehicle or on a multi-lane street, always give more than 3 feet or change lanes completely to pass.
• Take extra precautions to watch for cyclist between 6:00PM-9:00PM  when most cyclist deaths occur
• Drivers turning right on red should look to the right and behind to avoid hitting a bicyclist approaching from the right rear. Stop completely and look left-right-left and behind before turning right on red.
• Yield to bicyclists as you would motorists and do not underestimate their speed. This will help avoid turning in front of a bicyclist traveling on the road or sidewalk, often at an intersection or driveway.

 
 
Safety Tips for Bicyclists

• Ride with Traffic: Riding against traffic makes bicyclists more prone to crashes with cars.
• Obey street signs, signals, and road markings, just like a car.
• Be Visible and Wear a Helmet: When riding at night, the law requires a front headlight and a rear reflector. Helmets are required for bicyclists under age 16 and are the best protection from a head injury.
• Obey the Rules of the Road: Ride straight and in a predictable manner. Yield to pedestrians and obey all traffic signals and signs.
• Ride a bike that works—it really doesn’t matter how well you ride if the brakes don’t work.
• Ride a bike that fits you—if it’s too big, it’s harder to control the bike.
• Tuck and tie your shoe laces and pant legs so they don’t get caught in your bike chain.
• Plan your route—if driving as a vehicle on the road, choose routes with less traffic and slower speeds. Your safest route may be away from traffic altogether, in a bike lane or on a bike path.
• Assume the other person doesn’t see you; look ahead for hazards or situations to avoid that may cause you to fall, like toys, pebbles, potholes, grates, train tracks.
  
  

For a brochure of the Richard Martin Rails to Trails or the Noah Bike Trail, stop by the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens between 8:00AM-5:00PM, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
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