European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 27, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine in Europe whet traffic in cities and on highways is often congealed and last knowing International Bike Riding legs is a must. Biking safely in Europe  staff writer Blacksmith named Kirkpatrick Mae Miltan caused history s first recorded bicycling Accident in Glascow Scotland in 18-42, when he ran Down a child. Macmillan the inventor of one of he Sirsi pedal powered bikes was fined live shillings. Bicycle designs have changed a to since then but Macmillan s mishap Heads a string of statistics thai has remained almost constant. Today nine Oul of 10 bicycle accidents Are caused by the rider sately officiate say. Most Are charged 1o the cyclist s failure to obey Frallic Laws select a suitable Bike and maintain in in Good condition or learn and obey Trie rules of the Road. Such operator failure adds up to More than a million take accidents a year in he United Stales where 82 i Ilion people about a third of the country own bikes. More than half of those injured require emergency room care about 900 americans a year lose their lives As a result o1 bicycle accidents. In Europe where Ira flip is More congested and faster knowing International Riding rugs is a must. Here s a sampling of Basic requirements plus a few safety lips from a handful of countries in Europe. Germany has taken an interest in bicycle safety since As a Back As 1900, when Numberg opened the country s firs Bike Riding school he Vel dram on a site not 8� 1rom where the City s opera House is to Ebay. Number Gers wishing to own and ride a bicycle in the cily had 1o Complete indoor courses then master a final Driver s exam negotiating their Bike Down the Steep Hill from the City s medieval Castle to the Market place below. The rules of the Road or cyclists in Germany remain almost As stringent today bicycle riders must follow the same traffic rules As motorists including such basics As observing traffic lights and Slop signs and following right of Way rules on priority roads and one Way Freels. Addition ally. Cyclists in Germany Are required to keep right and ride single Fife in a straight line use bicycle paths whenever possible give pedestrians the fight of Way keep off sidewalks thai Are net marked f or bicycle traffic cyclist under age 8 Are exempted required equipment on bikes in Germany includes reflectors on Bolh wheels and pedals for night Riding lights lacing front and rear a Bell or Horn and brakes for each wheel either coaster or hand variety. England has never passed specific Laws governing bicycle traffic but the country s Highway code includes a handful of regulations and suggestions for Safe biking in the United kingdom according to Noel Newstead of the British department of transport in London suggested safety lips from the Highway code keep both hands an the handlebars unless you Are signalling keep Boll fee on the pedals do not hold on to another vehicle or cyclist do not carry a passenger unless your Cycle has been built or altered to carry one do not ride close behind another vehicle avoid carrying anything thai might affect your balance or become entangled with the wheels or Chain do not Lead an animal if there is a suitable Bike path ride on in required safety equipment on British roads includes functioning brakes front and rear lights for night travel and a rear reflector. The Golden Rule for bicycles Newstead added is that riders should see and be seen he recommends to Crescent clothing in he daytime and reflective clothing at night. Austria which plays Host in August to this year s world biking championships offers hundreds of Miles of Well tended paths for bicyclists. Regulations and rights governing bicyclists Are much like those in Germany. Minimum equipment includes a Bell ref Clors on Bolh wheels and pedals wednesday. May 27. 1987 two braking systems lights front and Back for Naglit travel Holland is a land of 15 million people. And 10 million bicycles. Because of the crowds the country has assembled some of the most comprehensive bicycling Laws in Europe. Included Are such rubrics As bans against Riding with less than one hand on the handlebars or when carrying such dangerous items As rakes or shovels. One Rule stipulates Hal riders Stop to Clear fallen branches or other hazards from Bike paths another entreats bicyclists to be in Good physical and emotional condition additionally dutch cyclists and their bikes must measure Ess than 19 inches in we Atli and riders must Post a blood alcohol rating less than .05 while astride their bikes. Basic safely equipment includes a Bell that can be heard at a distance of 27 Yards at least one working Brake effective tires or reflectors on both wheels lights both front and rear Lor travel after Sundown a rear two Inch red reflector for bikes Wilh rear fenders a 12-Inch strip of White reflective tape Italy s Road code spells Oul the rules for two wheeled traffic. Generally cyclists Are required to follow Basic traffic rules ride single file slay off sidewalks required safety equipment includes yellow reflectors on wheels and pedals for night travel a yellow or White Light in he front and a red Light a the Back a Bell two Independent braking systems motorists in Nlaly Are required to give cyclists one meter of clearance when passing of course in Naples joked a Long time resident of that Street wild italian City none of that  the stars and stripes Page 13