According to the League of American Bicyclists, more than 40,000 cyclists are hurt every year while riding; usually the injuries are from a motorist that hits the cyclist with a car.
Olmos Park Police are doing their part to make sure no one in their city adds to that number. And so are cyclists.
Driving and riding around the tiny San Antonio suburb can be difficult. Recently, riding has been a problem with Olmos Park Police.
“Often we have received complaints from motorists about them impeding traffic and failing to obey traffic laws and riding in the roadway,” says Will Huffmeyer, a police sergeant with Olmos Park Police.
One of the popular routes for cyclists in Olmos Park is Contour Rd, a winding back road hidden in the thick Hill Country trees of Olmos Park.
Police say many residents and business owners have voiced concerns about the mass of riders saying they are disruptive and pose a danger to others.
“We try to be courteous, we try to get out of the way we try to tell all the other riders to get to the side of the road and let the cars through,” says cyclists Aaron Gleason.
Gleason and about 50 other cyclists ride through Olmos Park every Thursday night.
“Kind of hard to miss us,” quips Gleason.
And he adds the group has no intentions of stopping anytime soon. All he is pleading on behalf cyclists everywhere, says he, is for everyone to share the road.
“I think with a little understanding comes with a little respect - perhaps” says Gleason.
