Three different bicycle accidents in the region sent people to the hospital this weekend — but fortunately, none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening and they may serve as a reminder that safety comes first.

Late Monday, a 22-year-old Elkhart man was hit by a pickup truck while riding south on County Road 17, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release.

Lucas Adkison, 20, of Elkhart, said he didn’t see Jordan Shankster until just before the 10:30 p.m. crash. Shankster complained of back pain and cuts to his arms but had no serious injuries, police said.

Just hours earlier, a 38-year-old Elkhart man was injured while riding a dirt bike on private property in the 22600 block of Acorn Lane, north of town.

Police say Robert Hawkins fell off a dirt bike and was briefly knocked unconscious after riding off a ramp and crashing at the bottom of a hill. He was taken with cuts on his face to Elkhart General Hospital to get checked out.

And Friday night, a 20-year-old woman was injured after a dirt bike fall in North Webster. Jesse Flumbaum, of Albion, was doing wheelies and other stunts when she fell from the bike in the 7400 block of North Blacks Court.

Indiana Conservation Officer John Salb said the woman was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital following the 6:30 p.m. accident. She was treated for a dislocation and ankle fracture, and then released, Salb said in a statement.

The accidents come as warmer weather — and changing lifestyles — bring bicycling and riding events into the local spotlight.

Bike to Work Week 2009 begins in Michiana on Monday and continues through next week.

For more information about bicycle transportation and sharing the road while you commute, check the Web here.

There’s also information there on local biking events, including South Bend’s Urban Ride on Tuesday and a free breakfast for bikers at the LaSalle Grille on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, recreational enthusiasts who enjoy off-road or other competitive sport riding can check out the National BMX races on June 6 and 7 in Warsaw.

This is the first time that Hire Park BMX — a National Bicycle League park located off Indiana 15 on East Arthur Street — is the host venue for the race, organizers say.

The track was launched by Winona Lake BMX enthusiast Jerry Landrum. Check out more information at Hire Park's Web site here, or click on the BMX news site.

But wherever biking is enjoyed, safety comes first. For brochures from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration on bicycle helmets, crash prevention and safe route selection — as well as other biking information — check the Web link below.

Click here for bike safety info.

A few commonsense, quick tips to remember from Adventure Sports include: