Ready for a laugh? We are cruising through St. Louis (I’m not driving). Teresa found this award-winning video for a RAGBRAI contest.

Ha ha!

2 Days until RAGBRAI. We are half way to Iowa.

Stay safe and continue Sharing the Road!

Biking to Work – See what it is like to Share the Road from a Cyclist’s perspective!

I am biking to work during the month of May. My name is Patrick. I am a husband, a son, and an uncle. I am also a bicyclist. I advocate Sharing the Road.

http://www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com/sharetheroad.

I am also the Director of School Training Solutions. http://www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com.

I choose to ride a bicycle, although I own multiple cars. I pay taxes.

Patrick Willi, Director of School Training Solutions, ready for biking.

May is National Bike Month. http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/
My goal is to ride to work all month.

This is my 5/21/13 trip via my helmet camera.
I work 2.69 miles from home.
It takes 10-15 minutes to drive.
It takes 10-12 minutes to bike.
I drive an old car with “bad” gas mileage.
I’ve saved at least $60.00 this month
.
Cyclists are held to the same laws as automobiles.
This includes stopping at Stop Signs and Traffic Lights.
Some states make exceptions for cyclists. Know your state laws!

This is Florida Hwy 90 (aka) Nine Mine Road (Pensacola, FL) – 6:50 a.m.

Pedestrians are supposed to travel toward oncoming traffic. They can see what is coming toward them.
Cyclists are supposed to travel with traffic. We don’t see what is coming toward us, from behind.
Bicyclists rely on motorists to be courteous and safely pass us.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
In 2011, 677 bicyclists died in automobile related accidents. http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/

Each morning I use 5 lights (2 solid; 3 flashing) and put on a bright orange bag.
I hope this makes me more visible to motorists.
On rainy or overcast days I add more lights and reflective clothing.
And this is only for 6 miles of riding a day.

Most states have a 3 foot rule to give bicyclists room on the road. http://www.3feetplease.com

Cyclists are not on the road to be a nuisance.
We are on bicycles for the same reasons you are in an automobile…
…traveling to work or to the store. (Or maybe for exercise.)

Co-worker about to say, “good morning.”
Good morning Josh. You’ll beat me to the office today.

I typically average 13-14 mph on this route. My max speed is about 20 (on this route).
Road conditions have an impact. Small debris and cracks can cause problems.
I feel every bump.

Cycling to work takes planning.
I prep everything the night before. Cycling clothes. Work clothes. Food. Bicycle and cycling gear, etc.
I also have to think about when/how I’m going to run errands before or after work.

The benefits I’ve noticed:
Exercise every day.
Saves money.
Reduces stress.
Better time management.
More energy at work.
Endorphins.

Draw-backs I’ve noticed:
Can’t carry as much stuff.

Motorists, thank you for safely Sharing the Road.

Richard Swanson was hit by a truck and killed along the highway 250 miles into his 10,000 mile journey to Brazil…

I hate reading articles like this:  http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/15/us/oregon-soccer-trekker-killed. Richard Swanson was an inspiration to many. He set a goal to dribble a soccer ball for charity from Seattle, WA to the 2014 World Cup in São Paulo, Brazil and was working to achieve it. There is an ongoing investigation about this highway incident. Based on this article, the driver of the truck is cooperating.

A blue soccer ball. Image used according to license permissions. © 2013 123RF Limited.

Unfortunately, injury and death are real dangers when venturing onto roads or highways on foot or by bike. I train for athletic events by running along the shoulders of many roads and minor highways; I bike on the road with cars, buses, and trucks. I’ve witnessed cars swerve toward me in both situations either on purpose or because of distracted driving. While I adhere to all traffic laws, my safety is never guaranteed. No cyclist or runner’s safety is guaranteed on the road.

I often wonder why the sight of a person or bicycle on the road can cause anger for drivers. What do you do when you see a cyclist, runner, or walker sharing the road? Do you get angry? Do you slow down or speed up to pass them? Do you yell or honk? Why? Ideally, everyone would simply slow down a little and give the individual plenty of room.

A member of the STS Cycling Team traveling through Biloxi, MS

Deaths like Swanson’s are avoidable. Why do they continue to happen? I think there are multiple problems working together with this issue. Most people believe, “It can’t happen to me.” Most people under-estimate the power of their automobile.

Consider these facts:

— Most cars weight roughly 4000 lbs or more.
— Most adult bicycles weigh roughly 30 lbs.
— Mountain bikes average 13-15 mph (with knobby tires) – depending on rider
— Mountain bikes average 15-18 mph (with slick tires) – depending on rider.
— Road bikes average 18-22 mph – depending on rider.

Motorized vehicles are far heavier and far faster than a bicycle, a runner, or a walker. Any contact from an automobile to a bicycle or pedestrian can be catastrophic and cause severe injury or death.

Woman running on roadway or highway. Image used according to license permissions. © 2013 123RF Limited.

Richard Swanson was someone’s son, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. This could have happened to anyone, but it doesn’t have too. When you are driving – ONLY drive. The phone call can wait; the text message can wait; the food can wait; the drink can wait. Concentrate on the road and the vehicles around you.

Thank you for reading. Continue Sharing the Road with pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, school buses, and other vehicles!

May is National Bike Month. There may be more cyclists on the road in your area. This is also the start of the National Bike Challenge that runs May – September.

You can subscribe to my Blog here: https://schooltrainingsolutions.azurewebsites.net/feed

Resources:

Article on CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/15/us/oregon-soccer-trekker-killed

Richard Swanson’s website: http://breakawaybrazil.com/ and  facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreakawayBrazil

School Training Solutions Sharing the Road!

Sharing the Road & School Training Solutions (STS) UPDATES

My weekly updates:

Hello everyone. Thank you for visiting the School Training Solutions Website and watching my weekly video blog.

The Sharing the Road Campaign is still going strong. The online course is available at the discounted ($20.00) rate until the end of May. In June we will offer the Threat of Road Rage, and in July we will offer a different course.

In July Team STS is participating in RAGBRAI – which is a very large bicycle ride across the state of Iowa. We were selected as part of the lottery system for participants.

Team STS is also participating in a couple local runs this weekend. Look for us at the Pensacola Fiesta 10K run and the Navarre Beach Sunset Stampede 5K run.

If you are interested in our Sharing the Road campaign please visit: www.schooltrainingsolutions.com/sharetheroad

I also have a T-shirt Challenge running until June 17^th to honor those affected by the Boston Marathon attack. You can see that progress on the STS Blog or on twitter. @SchoolTraining – #tshirtchallenge.

Before I sign off, I wanted to remind everyone that May is National Bike Month. You may see more people on bicycles. Slow down and give them room.

Stay safe and continue sharing the road!