LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
May is National Bike Month and people
are encouraged to get out and ride their bikes.
A vehicle-bicycle collision Sunday morning
landed Mark Dunn in a Tyler hospital.
"He's in good spirits and he's
looking forward to getting back on the bike when he can actually walk again,"
said Jeremy Yancey, Executive Pastor Lufkin First Assembly.
The driver of the vehicle was
attempting to pass him in a no pass lane.
Friends feel carelessness caused the
accident that could have been avoided with a little extra focus.
"It's a result of things that
happen on the road, not paying attention, not having a focus on the road,"
said Yancey.
While people are encouraged to get out
and ride this month, TxDot Public Information Officer Kathi White says
everybody has to work together to keep everyone on the road safe.
"Its about everybody being
attentive, don't get distracted when you're driving the vehicle, riding the
bicycle or motorcycle you have to make that your focus," said White.
Jeremy Yancey is a friend of Mark Dunn's.
Dunn encouraged him to start riding.
He says bicyclists share the same
responsibilities as a driver.
"You've got to be very
predictable as a bicyclist you don't want to dart into traffic, you've got to
be predictable just like a driver needs to be predictable," said Yancy.
As a driver it doesn't hurt to double check
your surroundings.
You never know what you might miss at
first glance.
"You take that second look and
you go whoa where did they come from," said White.
There's safety in numbers, Yancey suggests
finding a bike club to ride with.
"Ride with a group of people that
are more experienced and know the road so that you're not alone out there,"
said Yancy.
Ultimately it comes down to sharing and
being respectful of every type of vehicle on the road. That keeps everyone
safe.
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