Be careful! Stay safe!
Two of the phrases I yell as my husband heads out on a bike ride. He’s a cyclist. He loves it. And I love that he loves it. But I worry every minute until he walks back through the door.
Here in Arizona, we see many cyclists on the road all year round because, hello, the weather is amazing! We also see many news reports of the riders who have been hit while cycling, injured and even killed. It’s heartbreaking to hear these stories and it adds to the anxiety I feel when my hubby hops on the bike.
As a wife of a cyclist, here are a few things you can do to help make sure my road warrior comes home safely.
Please look out for my husband!
-If you see a cyclist while driving, give them space! Three feet is the law, but give them more if you can. Switching lanes is even better!
–SLOW DOWN! Would you like it if someone drove past you (at a 3 foot distance) going 45, 50, 60 miles per hour? My guess is probably not and there’s a good chance you’d need a change of drawers.
–Don’t honk! I can’t tell you the number of times my husband has said he’s had the crap scared out of him because someone honked at him. Even if you’re trying to be polite and encouraging; a wave is a better option!
–Anticipate their next move. Just like you learned in driver’s ed, anticipate what the rider will do next. Do they keep looking over their shoulder? If so, chances are they’re looking to turn and need to cross over a lane or two to do so. They aren’t looking back to check you out in . your car. Well, they kind of are because they don’t want you to hit them!
–Share the road. Treat bikes like cars. They have to follow the rules of the road just like you do when you’re driving in your car. Cyclists have to abide by the rules of the road, too. Remember that they have less protection around them and just because they’re on a bike doesn’t mean they can be run off the road!
Not all cyclists know the rules and not all are perfect, just like drivers of cars. For the most part, cyclists have to be smart or smarter to keep themselves out of danger. It goes a long way if drivers of cars are aware and don’t put cyclists in bad spots. Let’s help keep the road warriors of the Valley safe!
And please, look out for my husband. If you see him out there in his Chicago Blackhawks road jersey, give him a wave! 
