PARENTS NEED TO EMPHASIZE BICYCLE SAFETY

Bicycles are a popular form of travel and recreation for children and adults. But like anything on wheels, safety should be a prime concern.

Two young people were injured in recent bicycle-automobile accidents in Cape Girardeau. One 13-year-old was struck when he attempted to cross he street at the crest of a hill. Just one week earlier, an 8-year-old bicyclist was struck as he attempted to cross the street from an inclined driveway.

These accidents are far from isolated. Nationwide, 761 cyclists were killed in 1996 and 59,000 injured.

The three most common causes of accidents for children under 15:

-- Riding out of a driveway without stopping to see if cars are approaching

-- Running stop signs

-- Failing to yield while making a left turn

All three could easily be prevented. Parents can also make a big difference in working with their children on the importance of safe biking on city streets.

Cyclists must follow the same rules of the road as other drivers. They should travel with the traffic in single file. And perhaps most importantly, children should wear protective equipment such as helmets to help prevent injury.

When it comes to children and bicycles, safety should rule.