A TWO-WHEEL DRIVE NEW BICYCLE-SAFETY PROGRAM GAINS STEAM.

Byline: BILL BECHER

The SUV turns left into my path as I ride my bicycle at a residential street intersection with the green light. Cyclists call it getting ``T-boned.'' I yell at the driver, who stops in the intersection before she hits me and rolls down her window. She tells me to ``Be careful.'' I tell her I've got the right of way.

Of course, having the right of way on a 20-pound bike doesn't mean much against a 6,800-pound vehicle. In Los Angeles County, an average of 34 cyclists die every year in collisions with automobiles, and 2,900 are injured. I spend a lot of time riding my road bike and have found some motorists either don't know or don't care that bicyclists have the same right to be on the road as automobiles.

Liza Weissler, a cycling friend from Agoura Hills, was riding home when a car pulled in front of her, cutting her off and causing a crash. Lucky to escape with bruises and road rash, Weissler was back on her spare bike a few days later. The driver's insurance company is paying for the extensive repairs to her bike.

I've also seen aggressive bicyclists riding down the middle of the road, ignoring the clearly marked bike lane on their right. Some bike riders run stop signs and don't signal turns.

In an effort to educate both riders and drivers, the Los Angles County Bicycle Coalition is sponsoring a Share the Road program.

``We want to get the message to share the road, targeting equally both drivers and cyclists,'' said Susan Gans, a member of the Velo Club La Grange in Westwood. The death of fellow club member Debra Goldsmith, killed by an SUV last April while riding her bike on Palisades Drive, motivated Gans and other riders to try and do something to slow the carnage.

``I felt it was important not to let Debrah's death go unnoticed,'' said Gans, an attorney.

She and other club members met with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition to explore bike vs. car issues.

``We believe that the first step in achieving this goal is the installation of Share the Road signs in strategic locations on city and county roads,'' says Gans. ``Being both cyclists and drivers ourselves, we know that existing bicycle signage in many Los Angeles communities is inadequate and ineffectual.''

The group recently met with staff members from Los Angeles City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski's staff to discuss the Share the Road signs.

``We think it's an interesting idea and has value,'' says Debbie Dyner, chief field deputy for Miscikowski.

The proposed program is modeled after a successful one in Marin County, started after the death of two Bay Area cyclists in vehicle-bike collisions. The Marin program, cited as a model by the League of American Bicyclists, includes Share the Road signs at key spots, as well as distribution of 10,000 posters to merchants, including bike and auto dealers. The posters show three-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong on his time-trial bike on top of a classic 1959 Buick with the message ``Share the Road.''

The Internet is being enlisted as well, with an informational Web site under construction at www.lasharetheroad.com.

Still, wearing a helmet is the first step for cyclists to avoid serious injury or death, according to Arline Dillman, traffic safety manager for the Automobile Club of Southern California. She cites statistics from the California Highway Patrol, which show that only two of the 28 cyclists killed in L.A. in 1999 were wearing helmets. Dillman said the Auto Club is ``all for sharing the road, it's part of the law. Bicycles are used on the road for transportation, pleasure and exercise and motorists need to be respectful of that. By the same token, cyclists need to be responsible, too.''

The Auto Club's efforts include working with schools and community groups to educate kids on safe cycling and provide videos and informational pamphlets in English and Spanish.

A study of bike accidents in Los Angeles County suggests children in the 5-to-14 age group have the highest accident and death rates, despite the legal requirement in California for bicycle riders under 18 to wear helmets.

I'm way past 18 but wouldn't ride without one.

BICYCLE FACTS

--The first automobile crash in the U.S. occurred in New York City in 1896, when a motor vehicle collided with a bicycle.

--The fatality rate for cyclists between 5 and 15 years old is nearly double the rate for all cyclists. For every child killed on a bike, another 100 were injured.

--Alcohol involvement, either driver or cyclist, was a factor in more than one-third of cyclists fatalities.

--112 cyclists were killed in California in 1999.

--64 percent of all bicyclists killed by cars in California were riding in their own neighborhoods.

--Between 1986 and 1995 in Los Angeles County, 340 bicyclists were killed in collisions with cars, and 29,920 were injured.

Sources: Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition; National Center for Statistics and Analysis; Environmental Working Group.

SAFE BICYCLING TIPS

For cyclists:

-- Always wear a properly fitted helmet designed and approved for bicyclists.

-- Always ride in the same direction as traffic.

-- Obey all stop signs and traffic signals.

-- Don't forget to signal your turns.

-- If a bike lane is provided, stay in it except to pass or avoid obstructions.

-- Be predictable. Do not weave in and out of parked cars. Watch for people opening car doors.

-- If there is no bike lane and the vehicle lane is wide enough to safely share with cars, ride to the right side.

-- Do not try to share the lane if it is too narrow - ride in the center. Cyclists call this ``taking the lane.''

-- When proceeding straight through an intersection with right-turn lanes, move to the lane going straight and allow vehicles to turn right on your right side. When stopped at a signal, move to allow cars to turn right.

-- When making a left turn, signal and move to the left before initiating the turn, just like an automobile. If you do not feel safe doing this, cross the street you want to turn onto. At the other side of the street, dismount and turn your bike in your desired direction, then proceed when it is safe and legal to do so.

-- When riding at night, always wear light-colored or reflective clothes, and use both front and tail lights, as well as reflectors. The California Vehicle Code spells out bicycle-equipment requirements for night riding.

For drivers:

-- Understand that it is perfectly legal to ride a bicycle on streets, so watch for cyclists. Cyclists are not required to ride on road shoulders, which are often full of debris or potholes.

-- Reduce your speed when passing bicyclists, especially if the roadway is narrow.

-- Give cyclists enough room for their safety in case they have to maneuver around grates, parked cars or debris. Three feet is suggested.

-- If the lane is too narrow to safely share, cyclists are entitled to the whole travel lane.

-- In bad weather, give bicyclists extra trailing and passing room, just as you would other motorists. When uncertain in any situation, SLOW DOWN until it's safe to pass.

-- Do NOT pass bicyclists if oncoming traffic is near. Wait as you would with any slow-moving vehicle. Your patience will only take a few seconds and can help prevent a serious crash or worse.

-- Don't blast your horn when approaching bicyclists - you could startle them and cause an accident.

-- After passing a bicyclist on your right, check over your shoulder to make sure you have allowed enough room before moving over. Experienced bicyclists often ride 25-30 mph and may be closer than you think.

-- Do not pass bicyclists if you will be making a right turn immediately afterward. Always assume bicyclists are traveling through unless they signal otherwise.

-- Children on bicycles are often unpredictable - expect the unexpected.

-- When turning left at an intersection, yield to oncoming bicyclists just as you would yield to oncoming motorists.

-- When pulling over and stopping to talk on a cell phone (a good idea), don't park in the bike lane.

For pedestrians:

-- Walk facing traffic and move to the curb when bikes approach, especially if you're walking two or more abreast.

-- Be aware that the California Vehicle Code prohibits walking in a bicycle path or lane if there is an adjacent pedestrian facility (sidewalk).

Ryan Snyder of the Los Angles County Bike Coalition contributed to these tips.

CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1) (color) Lisa Weissler, from Agoura Hills, shows off some road rash on her elbow after a recent bicycle accident involving an automobile.

Bill Becher/Special to the Daily News

(2) no caption (Share the Road program logo)