For cyclists getting back on the road, safety is key

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, Ark. (KNWA/FOX24) — Spring is in full swing which means cyclists are getting back on the roads and hitting the trails.

Now is a great time for cyclists to make sure they are safe and also for people driving cars on the road around them to remain vigilant.

Ramona Delgado is a cyclist who is from Mexico originally but now lives in Springdale.

“I started bike riding in my hometown,” she said. “We always rode our bicycles.”

She wanted a way to stay active, so she got on her bike and ended up finding a community.

“I started riding my bicycle by myself to work, but got lonely,” she said. “So, I found a group of girls who ride bikes. Now, we gather when it’s a nice day, and we just get out.”

She was enjoying a bike ride with her friends in March when a scary situation happened at the entrance to her apartment complex on Powell Street.

She said they were riding in the designated bike lane for the Razorback Greenway on Powell Street in the evening and they had their bikes’ lights turned on.

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“A van was coming out, but there’s a stop sign there. And we thought he was going to stop,” she said. “That’s why we didn’t stop and went forward, but he didn’t stop and hit us.”

Delgado said she got her leg stuck in her bike and she ended up going to the hospital with a sprain. She said her friend was knocked unconscious.

“I was really scared,” she said.

While this is the first time she has been hit by a driver, she said she’s experienced hostility on the roads from drivers before.

“There’s cars saying ‘Hurry up’ or ‘Let me go first’ or they always honk on you,” she said.

“Cyclists have the right to the road just like a motorist does,” said Sgt. Matt Ray with the Springdale Police Department.

Ray explained the laws for cyclists riding on the roads.

“They have the right to the full lane of the road, but they also got to follow the rules of the road as well,” he said. “The only little caveat that they have extra that motorist don’t have is if they come up to a stoplight and there’s no cross traffic, it is safe to proceed. They don’t actually have to come to a complete stop.”

He said it’s important for cyclists to shift over to the right side of the lane to give drivers enough room to pass safely.

“We have officers that are on bike patrol. People sometimes hesitate to get around us. We wave them on,” he said. “You guys are allowed to pass on double lane when safe to do so.”

And if a cyclist encounters a hostile situation with a driver, “try to avoid any confrontation for one. If they can get a license on their phone or if they’re recording on a helmet or anything like that and report that to us, we’ll try to follow up the best we can,” he said.

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He said it’s very important that cyclists have proper safety equipment.

“At nighttime, by law, you have to have a rear light and a front light illuminated,” he said. “Reflectors on your wheels. Maybe even reflectors on your clothing or helmet,”

“Please wear your helmet,” said Delgado.

“Helmet safety is huge,” said Kevin Caldwell, the Director of Arkansas Operations at Phat Tire Bike Shop.

He said it’s recommended that people replace their helmets every three years.

“Some people think that it’s just like a ploy to get you to buy a new product when that’s not the case,” he said.

Most helmets are meant to break down on impact.

“Any time you’ve had an accident, you really should replace it because over time it loses its absorption abilities,” he said.

Regular bike maintenance is also an important factor in cycling safety, maintaining the longevity of your bike and helping your wallet.

“If you’re doing maintenance on a regular basis, you’re going to have nominal charges versus waiting for five or ten years and wear stuff out, then it gets to be more costly,” he said.

Grayson Vernon is one of the bike mechanics working at Phat Tire Bike Shop in Bentonville. He grew up watching his father ride bikes and fell in love with mountain biking.

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He explained what he looks for on bikes he’s tuning up.

“I’m looking for loose things, like a loose wheel or something like that. I make sure their tires are aired up correctly and make sure that brakes work so they can stop,” he said. “Just making sure everything’s fit and sound with the bike.”

Delgado is looking forward to getting back on her bike once she’s healed and gets her bike fixed. She’s thankful for the NWA cycling community that supports her.

“If something broke, they always help you,” she said. “If you have a flat tire they will repair it for you. They’re always helpful.”

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