As this pandemic is receding in the local area, I have been going out more in my car as well as my road bike, and I can't help but notice that many people are walking and jogging. It's a great way to get in tennis shape and be ready for a full reopening, but here is one simple safety rule:
Cycle, walk and jog with traffic, and not in the direction facing traffic.
This is counter-intuitive for many as they like to see cars coming but it is a dangerous mistake and I see it often every day. It is way more important that cars see you, than for you to see cars if you wish to avoid a collision.
The reason is simple physics. If a car is traveling at 30 mph and you are jogging at 6 mph with traffic, you create greater relative distance and extra time for the car to avoid hitting you than if you move at 6 mph towards a car.
Stay safe!
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Steven Kaplan Steven Kaplan is the owner and managing director of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, as well as director emeritus of Lacoste Academy for New York City Parks Foundation and executive director and founder of Serve & Return Inc. Steve has coached more than 1,100 nationally-ranked junior players, 16 New York State high school champions, two NCAA Division 1 Singles Champions, and numerous highly-ranked touring professionals. Many of the students Steve has closely mentored have gone to achieve great success as prominent members of the New York financial community, and in other prestigious professions. In 2017, Steve was awarded the Hy Zausner Lifetime Achievement Award by the USTA. He may be reached by e-mail at StevenJKaplan@aol.com. |