Important Considerations for Pet Ownership

2010
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LAKEWOOD, CO - SEPTEMBER 02: A Yorkshire terr...
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The decision to get a new pet is in some ways the same as having a new baby. It often requires some level of adjustment for everyone in the household. Some things to think about before going ahead and getting a pet include:

•Can the entire family handle living with pets?

If there are family members with certain types of allergies, then care must be taken to avoid getting pets that do not shed a lot of fur. In some cases, this will demand additional cleaning to keep the home as free of pet dander as possible. If children are in the home, special care must be taken to get animals that get along with them. If adopting a pet, make sure to check the history of the animal.

•Who will take care of the pet?

Some pets demand more attention than others. If the caregiver is not able to adequately look after a carefree puppy, then an older dog may be the better choice. Pet grooming and other tasks should be addressed once the decision to get a pet has been made.

•What are the associated costs of getting and caring for a pet?

Depending on the type of pet chosen, there are varying costs associated with its care. One issue that is often not considered is pet insurance. Taking good care of a pet calls for being able to deal with their medical expenses if necessary.

There are, of course, many benefits to bringing a pet into the home. Research has shown that they can be great for your mood and overall health. Some pet owners also tend to get more exercise.

Ultimately, the final decision on whether to get a pet will depend on the answers to these questions. Whether or not your home is pet-friendly will also play a role.

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Basic Rules for Cycling Safety

2010
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Trailnet's Bike Safety Rodeos teach bike handl...
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It’s important to wear a helmet while riding a bike, but there are plenty of other safety rules that you should follow. . If you are ever hit by a car moving at a high speed, then chances are the helmet won’t save you. The best thing to do is avoid getting hit in the first place. Your helmet then becomes a back-up plan for safety. Knowing where to ride could is as important as reliable safety gear.

Always Ride on the Correct Side of the Street

Bikers who ride on the wrong side of the street are taking serious risks. Many cyclists feel uncomfortable riding with the flow of traffic because they can’t see the cars behind them. Putting a mirror on your helmet or handle bars will solve this problem.

The worst thing about riding on the wrong side of the street is that you increase your chances of getting seriously injured when you have an accident. Say, for instance, that you are hit by a car from behind moving at 35 mph while you’re moving at 10 mph. That’s like getting hit by a vehicle driving at 25. If you had the same collision with an oncoming car, though, it would be like being struck by a car moving at 45 mph.

Avoid the Far Right Side of the Outer Lane

Most cyclists stick to the outer lane whenever possible. Doing so reduces the amount of auto traffic that you have to deal with. Riding on the far right side of the outer lane, however, can be very dangerous. If you are right up against the curb, then chances are that vehicles approaching perpendicular intersections will not be able to spot you. They’ll pull out without ever seeing you, which means that the two of you could easily collide.

Riding on the far edge is also dangerous when there is a parking lane for cars. Hugging the curb makes it much more likely that you’ll be struck by a car door. Floating along the left edge of the lane will make you more visible to parked cars.

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Bicycle Collision Types and How To Avoid Them

2010
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Car Crash on West North Street
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Over 33,000 people die in car crashes in the U.S. each year. Of those, one in 41 is a bicyclist. These top five collisions are the main reasons cyclists and cars collide.

A car drives out at a stop sign and hits the cyclist. The crash occurs at an intersection where the car was facing the stop sign and the cyclist was on a crossing path.

Second, is where a car is entering the roadway from a driveway or alley and the cyclist was in a crossing path.

Third is a crash at an intersection where the cyclist was facing a stop sign, red light or failed to yield at an uncontrolled intersection and the car was on a crossing path.

Fourth is where the car is making a left turn facing the cyclist.

Fifth is where the car and the cyclist are on parallel paths and then the car makes a right turn at a roadway intersection or driveway.

Nearly 54.3% of car/cyclist collisions happen at intersections, 21.3% are road entry collisions and 15.9% are straight away collisions.

To avoid these types of collisions, a cyclist should follow these five rules.

First, obey all traffic laws. A cyclist should ride like a car, not ride on the sidewalk or against traffic. Riding against traffic increases your risk of being hit by seven times. Don’t hug the gutter, ride out where the car can see you .

Second, keep alert. You have the added advantage of more maneuverability and sound. You can hear if a car is coming up upon you and you can get out of the way at a 90 degree angle. Watch for bad motorists.

Third, be visible. Place lights on your bike and be sure to wear reflective clothing. Make sure that cars can see you. At intersections, don’t stop in a car’s blind spot.

Fourth, take the least travelled way. Take advantage of bike trails, back streets and avoid heavy traffic areas.

Fifth, keep your bike in good repair. Some accidents happen because a bike’s part fails and the cyclist falls into traffic.

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