Pedal prudence

Biking, on and off the roads, comes with rules, responsibilities and common sense

By Jimmy Mincin
It’s fun and healthy, but don’t take it lightly.

Bicycling, an ever-growing hobby among people young and old, requires the same degree of adherence to traffic laws as motor vehicles, area store owners and experts say.

“As a cyclist, you need to be aware of everything around you,” said Bryan Caporuscio, general manager of Spokes-N-Skis in Lakemont. “On the road, you have to apply everything you learned about driving a car to riding a bike.”

Caporuscio has an unbridled passion for biking. To him, it represents freedom, fosters camaraderie and enables him to teach and learn from other cyclists. But it’s up to adults to set a good two-wheeling example for kids.

“It’s very wise, if (kids) are going to be riding on the streets, to teach them the basic laws of the road,” he said. “That includes using proper signage for right and left turns, riding close to the berm of the road and wearing brightly colored clothing at night. If you’re riding with them, you should always have the child on the inside.”

A big oversight among cyclists of all ages and skill levels: wearing a helmet.

‘‘After 12, it’s an option, but helmet use is important for everyone,’’ he said. ‘‘People don’t assume anything will happen to them, but as cyclists, it’s our responsibility to take precautions.’’

Form and function are important considerations in the buying process, he said.

‘‘Fit is definitely the most important aspect of buying a bike,’’ he said. ‘‘But it also has to be a bike that’s suitable for the type of riding you’ll be doing — mountain biking, road biking, etc. These days, there’s a bicycle on the market for everybody, and every aspect of riding.’’

Byron Deshong, owner of Pedal Power in Altoona, said people in Altoona are more knowledgable about bicycling than the average town because of the area’s history with International Tour De Toona (a stage bicycle race held in central Pennsylvania each July), and the vast number of people who ride in Altoona, adding that the increased awareness has led to less accidents.

He reinforced Caporuscio’s concept of a bicycle as a vehicle.

“We have to obey traffic signs just like motor vehicles,” he said. “Sometimes that gets abused by bicyclists because they get impatient.

“One of the most prevalent issues is when a car passes you, you have to be very cautious in case they make a sudden right-hand turn in front of you — drivers often do not anticipate the speed of bicyclists, and turn on a dime.”

He also noted that bicyclists’ chances of acquiring a head injury are six times greater than that of motorcyclists because of the “height at which you ride and the way you fall.”

“People often take bikes for granted,” said Hollidaysburg Borough Police Traffic Sgt. David Gehret. “They think of it as more of a toy, rather than a vehicle they are responsible for. What used to be called the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code is now called the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. Everyone has to obey traffic laws.”

Vehicle code compliance entails such things as stopping at red lights, riding along the right-hand side of the road, having reflector lights on front and back tires (for night riding) and knowing appropriate hand signals, he said, adding that state law requires children 12 and under to wear a helmet while riding.

In terms of safety, Gehret said a little common sense goes a long way.

“Nowadays, we’re seeing a lot of younger kids trying to ride their older siblings’ bikes, and that’s not a safe practice,” he said. “When you sit on your bike seat, you should be able to stand on the tips of your toes.”

He also noted cyclists should always make sure their bikes have fully functioning brakes, tightened handle bars and properly inflated tires.

Caporuscio, also a member of the Blair Bicycle Club, Altoona, enjoys mountain bicycling in the hills of Blue Knob because “it’s the only area where it’s 100 percent for mountain bikes.” But if he’s in the mood for road travel, Martinsburg is the place to go.

“There’s a lot farms and I just enjoy the fresh country air,” he said of the Cove area. “There’s light traffic and the people seem very receptive to bicyclists.”

To guys like him, bicycling is more than just exercise.

“It’s great for commuting, it saves gas, it’s a great stress release and you meet new people,” he said. “And with the exception of interstate highways, there’s nowhere you can’t go. The sky’s the limit.”

Mirror Staff Writer Jimmy Mincin is at 946-7460.