Bike Safety Takes Effort Of Masses As Bicycle Club’s Safety Chair, Stowe Strives For Cooperation

A bike ride - a relaxing and fun way to enjoy a pleasant afternoon. Or is it?

According to Pat Stowe, ride safety chairman of the Spokane Bicycle Club, a leisurely bike ride could prove to be a dangerous activity if taken too lightly.

Stowe, a two-year member, noticed many club riders, including the most experienced, making dangerous mistakes.

“I talked to people in the club and everyone agreed with what I was thinking, but they were afraid to say anything,” said Stowe. “I kept griping and the club president finally asked me if I would do something to make club members aware of the problems.”

Stowe, 44, envisions bike riding as his life passion and challenge. And everyone needs a challenge. “It’s a good way to think and meditate. People who ride are some of the best I’ve ever met.”

Since he started pedaling seriously more than 20 years ago, Stowe has conducted extensive research on various aspects of cycling, including training, touring, repair and safety.

“I don’t consider myself an expert on bicycle safety, but something had to be done and I was the only one who wanted to do it,” he said.

Stowe surprised many people when he took on the endeavor, because, “I used to be one of the worst safety sinners.” Now a “born-again cyclist,” he admits to still making an occasional mistake. “People can’t think about everything all the time and we all make mistakes.”

But Stowe quickly pointed out even the most experienced riders ride with flaws. “A lot of times, riders in a group get into what the group is doing and start talking and they don’t pay attention,” added Stowe.

Motorists, like the ones Stowe encountered, are an element of the safety problem. He provides motorist education along with rider education so the two groups learn to respect each other.

Stowe admits it’s hard for some cyclists to change to a new riding style, but the Spokane Bicycle Club has put forth a great effort and things have improved. Now, before each group ride, the ride leader picks a safety concern that has been expressed to him and emphasizes it for the duration of the ride.

Group rides can be dangerous if some riders follow others without thinking. “They’re anxious to keep up and they do things they wouldn’t normally do,” Stowe said.

“If I see a rider do something silly or stupid on the ride, I’ll take him or her aside later and voice my concern,” he added. “A lot of times it’s just lack of realization on the part of the rider, but other times, it’s conflicting opinion that has to be resolved for the safety of the rest of the group.”

Paying attention is the main safety rule for riders to follow. “You have to be really aware, and be ready to evade and stop at all times, especially in busy areas,” said Stowe.

This rule holds especially true on the Centennial Trail. Many of the steepest hills and sharpest and narrowest corners in town are on the trail.

As a standard place to relax, everyone on the trail thinks they’re in a safe place. With this sense of security, the variety of people on the trail, like walkers, bikers and roller bladers, tend to forget to pay attention to their surroundings and give rise to numerous safety hazards.

“Riders, motorists and pedestrians all seem to think they live in a utopian world; that they each can do what they want,” said Stowe. “Safety takes the cooperation of all. Bike riding should be fun, and fun and safety can be balanced by paying attention and by everyone involved being careful and courteous.”

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SAFETY TIPS Pat Stowe offers these suggestions for improving safety on group and individual rides: “Line out” single file on the extreme right of the roadway when someone calls, “car back.” Regroup several times during a ride, to let slower riders catch up, and after crossing or turning onto streets, to lessen the chances of riders turning or riding in front of cars to keep up. Be selective when taking a lane. Doing so can anger motorists. Ask yourself: Am I blocking or delaying traffic? Am I being courteous? Club rides should be scheduled so they end before sundown. Ride leaders need to assign “tailgunners” to ride with new and slower riders. Let each other know about hazards and dangerous riding habits.