Current Willard Munger State Trail ConditionsCarlton to Duluth
Chengwatana State Forest
Hinckley to Sandstone
Nemadji State Forest
St Croix State Forest
Willow River to Barnum
Barnum to Carlton
DNR Recommended Trail Links
Minnesota State Snow Trail Conditions -(MDNR)
www.findthetrails.com
www.mndnr.gov
2008
deadliest year for bicyclists since 2000
Bicyclists,
motorists urged to share the road safely this season
May
4, 2009 ST. PAUL, Minn. - Following the deadliest year for bicyclists
in eight years, state traffic safety and transportation officials are
urging motorists to drive alert as warm weather arrives and bicyclists
return to the road. Last year 13 bicyclists were killed, the most since
2000 (14) and a significant increase from the four bicyclist deaths in
2007.
More
bicycle commuters last year was a factor in the increase in deaths. A
similar number of bicyclists is expected this year and safety officials
urge caution for those who may be new to bicycle commuting.
“The
spring and summer months bring new challenges for motorists as
bicyclists join traffic, so it’s critical that everyone share the
road,” said Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel. “During May,
National Bike Month, we want motorists to recognize bicyclists as
people, not obstructions, and bicyclists to recognize and obey stop
signs and traffic signals, not ignore them.”
Each
year, an average of eight bicyclists are killed and more than 950 are
injured in crashes with motor vehicles, according to the Minnesota
Department of Public Safety. More than 60 percent of bicycle crashes
occur from June through September. Most bicycle crashes occur during
afternoon rush hours.
The
major contributing factor in bicyclist-motorist crashes is failure to
yield the right of way. Both bicyclists and drivers are at fault for
this. For bicyclists, another crash factor is disregard for traffic
control devices. A crash factor for motorists is failing to see
bicyclists and driving inattentively. People under age 25 are at
greatest risk; they represent more than half of all bicyclists injured
annually.
These
Swans sighted fishing on the Moose Horn River near Sturgeon Lake.
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