Thousands of cyclists are now out and about, whether on Emporia city streets or Lyon County’s gravel roads, all getting ready for Unbound Gravel.
Emporia Police Capt. Ray Mattas urges both cyclists and drivers of other vehicles to be safe. He also reminds everybody of the basic rules of the road relating to cycle safety:
Also, Mattas says cyclists can ride two abreast without issue.
Mattas says motorists often believe cyclists have to move out of the way of vehicles, and typically single cyclists should yield the lane if it’s safe to do so — but cyclists are entitled to the lane.
Two years ago, a Colorado rider was struck and killed at an intersection near Emporia just before Unbound officially started. Mattas says the rules of the road apply both in and out of town, and he says both cyclists and motorists need to remember the right-of-way principle when approaching one of the county’s many uncontrolled intersections.
Unbound Gravel organizers expect close to 5,000 participants for the rides Friday and Saturday.
