Bike safety concern after recent accidents

By Jenna Wilson

Officers are reminding drivers to stay alert on the roads after recent incidents of children being hit while riding bicycles.

Earlier this month, police responded to a scene where a child was hit by a vehicle near the 1400 block of Noyes Boulevard while riding his e-bike home from school.

Two weeks later, two children on a bicycle were hit near North 29th Street after rolling through a stop sign, suffering minor injuries.

Officials said road safety is a joint effort from drivers and bicyclists but drivers operating a motor vehicle should be on high alert for children who may not understand all the traffic laws.

“The motorist needs to be aware that school is back in session,” said Sgt. Shane Hux with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “Some of the younger kids, they haven’t developed that street smart mindset when it comes to knowing there are cars out there on the roadway and they think it’s pretty much safe the entire time.”

Drivers are encouraged to look both ways while initiating a right or left turn at an intersection and to be mindful of peak sun glare hour.

“It’s common sense but you have to be able to see to drive. We know that the sun does place itself in different positions throughout the day so it’s very important to keep that in mind,” Hux said. “If you’re on your way home and you’re heading west, the sun’s going to be in your eyes. If you’re heading to heading to work and you’re going east, the sun’s going to be in your eyes. Plan for that and make sure you’re using your sun visors or a good pair of sunglasses.”

Parents of young children are also being reminded to go over bicycle safety rules with their children to help prevent these accidents.

A few tips for bicyclists include:

Wearing bright clothing during the day and reflective materials on your body or equipment at night

Always ride in the same direction as the traffic

Follow the rules of the road and use hand signals