Safe and Seen, Fall Outdoor Fitness

Outdoor fitness options in St. Louis don’t need to be limited to the summer months.  While our days are now shorter your walks, runs and rides need not be.  You must simply have the right gear. 

In addition to dressing for cooler temperatures, getting out before dawn or after dusk requires safety equipment.

Slipping on some reflective or lit equipment makes sure everyone out on the roads can see you. Drivers have a multitude of distractions these days, but especially this month.  In the weeks just after clocks are turned back for standard daylight time in the fall, pedestrians walking during the evening rush hour are nearly three times more likely to be struck and killed by cars than before the time change, according to a 7-year study by two Carnagie Mellon scientists. 

The spike in pedestrian fatalities is especially high in the initial weeks after the change, when drivers are still adjusting to earlier nighttimes.  Each month beyond November, the numbers fall. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cautions motorists and pedestrians to be more attentive to roadway risks in the coming weeks. It advises pedestrians and cyclists to carry a flashlight or attach reflective materials - such as fluorescent tape - to clothing, backpacks, purses, and briefcases. 

So highlighting your whereabouts when out sans sunlight is a must. 

Even Fido needs to be seen on the scene. Your pre-dawn walk with the dog should include a light-up leash or collar. These are available at stores throughout our area. 

Here is a list of must have safety equipment for the fall outdoor fitness enthusiast:

• Bike Lamps
• Headlamps
• Reflective Clothes / Vests
• Reflective Shoes
• Reflective Tape, Stickers, Bands and Belts 
• Lit dog collars and leashes

So don’t let the shorter days keep you inside.  Get out, get fit, and get safety gear!