Because the association recognizes that bicycles are perhaps the most unprotected of all vehicles on the road, the ATA has launched an information campaign to help riders recognize the danger of riding in truck traffic.

“We realize that there are bike trails, but not trails everywhere, so truck drivers are aware that they will have to share the streets and roads with bicyclists, said Aves Thompson, executive director of the Alaska Trucking Association. “We just want to make sure that we do it safely.”

A 2007 accident on Northern Lights Boulevard in Anchorage prompted a discussion of the issue among drivers.

“What brought this to our attention was when a bicyclist in Anchorage ran into the side of a truck last summer,” said Thompson, speaking from the American Trucking Association's annual meeting in Whitefish, MT. “No one was hurt, but the ATA and its members are emphasizing sharing the road safely.”

Drivers may not see bicycles due to the driver's distance above bicycles and the hood of their vehicles. To help bicycle riders the ATA has five simple tips for riders:

* Beware of big vehicles

* Check your brakes

* Ride with traffic

* Beware of the No-Zone

* Wear your helmet

Of all of these suggestion the No-Zone is the most critical. Trucks and large vehicles have blind spots in the front, back and sides making it difficult for the driver to see around the truck. Bicyclists riding in one of these blind spot greatly increase chances of an accident, Thompson said.

The ATA wants bicycle riders to be aware that drivers want to share the road with them, but that bicyclists have to be aware of the difficulties drivers of large vehicles face.