As a family, we really enjoy riding our bikes around our neighborhood. Biking serves us as a form of exercise, quality family time and relaxation. We get to see our neighborhood, our neighbors and the beautiful nature that surrounds up close and personal. The only stressful part of our bike rides is crossing through the multitude of 4 way stops signs in our neighborhood. Even when you are in your car, these 4 way stops signs are problematic at best. Imagine 8 cars coming to a full stop (sometimes) at a 4 way stop sign. There is always someone who is "confused" about their turn. Now imagine, you come up to the same place riding your bikes with your family. You just hope and pray that they will see you and acknowledge you as another vehicle. So far we have not had any close calls, but that is probably because we are extra careful. Most of the drivers in our neighborhood are kind and considerate.

Of course, it is not always the car drivers who break the rules. I do observe from time to time, bicyclist who do not follow the traffic rules. Maybe because they are too tired, some bicyclist do not follow basic rules such as coming to a full stop at a 4 way stop sign. We all know how to drive and for the most part obey the traffic rules, but when we become bicyclist, we need to remember to follow the same traffic rules as everyone else. Without sounding too corny, I would like to remind all of us that this is in our own best interest.