An alternative to that expensive gasoline

With gasoline nearly 75 cents a gallon higher than it was last year, many of us can't believe the numbers we see when it's time to fill our tanks.

At the same time, the numbers on our bathroom scales may be just as big a shock.

The answer to both problems probably is already in your garage or back yard.

While there might not be time to walk to work, let alone to the grocery story, our bet is that your bicycle is a viable option if you just take a closer look.

Even with McCook's hills, our bet is 20 minutes of relatively easy pedaling will get you across town.

If you need your car for work, how about those minor errands like a trip to the post office or returning a rental movie?

With a little effort and planning, those numbers in the check book and on the scale will look a lot better.

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But bicycles can only be a viable option if we work together. Cyclists need to obey the rules of the road, and motorists need to give riders plenty of room -- that goes for motorcyclists as well.

A few other simple rules:

* Never wear headphones while biking -- you need all the help you can get in being aware of surrounding traffic.

* Don't ride too close to parked cars -- doors can open suddenly.

* Be careful when changing lanes, and use arm signals to signal turns.

* Wear appropriate clothing that won't become tangled in the bike.

* Make sure your bicycle is properly maintained and adjusted.

Most importantly wear an approved helmet that is properly adjusted and hasn't been involved in an impact.

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Kudos to State Farm Insurance for organizing Bike Safety Rodeos and seeing to it that all local first graders have bicycle helmets. Kinder-Morgan, Community Hospital Health Foundation and McCook Clinic PC donated 140 new helmets this year, and the McCook Police Department, McCook Area Sertoma Club, Phi-Beta Lambda, Wal-Mart, the McCook High School Student Council and Trustworthy Bikes-Pets-Hardware also helped make the program possible.

But those helmets are only effective if they are being used, and the rider follows the rules. Does your child or grandchild wear her helmet, every time she rides a bike? Does he even know where it is? Do they remember how and where to ride safely?

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Yes, bicycles can be a viable, economical option for many transportation needs, whether leisure, work or exercise, but only if we all work together to keep each other safe.