Good Samaritan Hospital's 12th Annual West Coast Blessing of the Bicycles

Good Samaritan Hospital is hosting its 12th Annual West Coast Blessing of the Bicycles to increase awareness about safety. The non-denominational event will feature religious leaders from different faiths who will impart blessings in the service for cyclists to continue their safe ride to and from work and/or school. In addition, attendees will participate in the commemorative “Missing Bicyclist” lap around the hospital’s campus saluting those injured and killed in bicycle accidents and Aaron Paley, Co-Founder and Executive Director of CicLAvia, will receive the Golden Spoke Award. All participants will receive a free bicycle safety check.

According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 726 cyclists died in traffic crashes in the US in 2012 (6 percent higher than the 682 cyclists killed in 2011) accounting for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities during the year.

Below are some more general conclusions and trends according to the NHTSA:
• An additional 49,000 bicyclists were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
• Average age of cyclist killed in traffic crashes was 43.

Bicyclists are considered vehicle operators and they are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. When cycling in the street, cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.

Drivers of motor vehicles need to share the road with bicyclists. Be courteous—allow at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist on the road, look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space, and yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals. Be especially watchful for cyclists when making turns, either left or right.