Patrol captain cautions motorists, bicyclists after string of accidents

It’s becoming a more common sight in Poplar Bluff — pedestrians walking beside busy roads and an increased number of bicycles and smaller motorized bikes. Following a spate of accidents between bicyclists and vehicles in town, Poplar Bluff Police Department Patrol Capt. Chuck Harris is urging more caution.

“Both motorists and people on bikes have to share the same road,” Harris stated. “When you’re operating a bike of any kind, you are subject to the exact same laws as any motorist.”

Harris elaborated to explain how stop signs and stop lights must be obeyed, and all right of way laws apply to those who are traveling on bikes as well as motorists in vehicles.

“I would caution people to follow all safety rules at all times,” Harris noted. “There isn’t a helmet law in place, but if you’re going to travel any kind of real distance across or down a busy road, I would recommend wearing a helmet. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Harris further explained those who travel on bicycles should be sure to have reflectors in place on their bicycles, and have some kind of light on the bike for when they are traveling at night.

“It would also be a good idea for bicyclists to start using hand signals to indicate when you are turning or slowing down,” Harris said. “Anything to increase your safety when you’re sharing the road with larger vehicles would be smart.”

Harris noted that bicycles vary in size and shape, but they are consistently much smaller than regular vehicles on the road.

“Due to the fact that bikes are so small, they can easily be in the blind spot of someone driving a car or a truck,” Harris explained. “I think we can all relate to similar experiences, where you might be driving and out of nowhere you see someone on a bike right next to you or in front of you.”

Harris advised the most important aspect for anyone traveling on the road to be attentiveness.

“I think we all need to do our best to remain alert when we’re on the road,” he noted. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a car, truck, or on bike of some kind. We all have to share the same roads and we need to be safe.”

Harris noted that Poplar Bluff is an area that experiences heavy traffic on a regular basis.

“When you have a lot of vehicles that come through the town — especially at certain times of day — you should understand the need to be that much more cautious,” he remarked. “Stop when it’s time to stop. Wait your turn in traffic. And don’t do anything reckless.”