Now that we are well into the cycling season, I’d like to remind both motorists and cyclists to drive and ride respectfully and know the rules. I found the following recommendations from the League of American Bicyclists and offer them to you in the hope that they will be of help to both cyclists and motorists for sharing the road this summer.
SHARING THE ROAD; CYCLISTS
On the road:
o The same laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists
o Obey all traffic control devices
o Use hand signals to indicate stops and turns
Always Wear a Properly fitting Helmet
o Wear a Helmet, no matter how short the trip
Ride on the Right
o Always ride in the same direction as traffic
o Use the farthest right lane that heads to your destination
o Slower moving cyclist and motorists stay to the right
Ride Predictably:
o Ride in a straight line
o Don’t swerve in the road or between parked cars
o Check for traffic before entering street or intersection
o Anticipate hazards and adjust your position accordingly
Be Visible:
- Wear Brightly colored clothing that provides contrast
- Use a white front light in low light conditions
- Use a red rear light in low light conditions
- Use a reflector or reflective tape or clothing anytime
- Announce yourself by making eye contact with motorists
SHARING THE ROAD: MOTORISTS
Drive Cautiously:
o Reduce sped when encountering cyclists
o Don’t tailgate, especially in bad weather
o Recognize hazards cyclist may face and give them space.
o Yield to Cyclists:
o Bicycles are considered vehicles
o Cyclists should be given the appropriate right of way
o Allow extra time for cyclists to traverse intersections
Be Considerate:
o Look for cyclists in traffic and at intersections
o Don’t honk your horn when close to cyclists
o Watch out for cyclists when opening car doors
Pass With Care:
o When passing, leave four feet between you and a cyclists
o Wait for safe conditions before you pass
o Check over your shoulder before moving back
Watch For Children:
Children on bicycles are often unpredictable
Expect the unexpected and slow down
Don’t expect children to know traffic laws
Because of their size children can be harder to see.
As a motorist, cyclist or pedestrian if you see anyone violating these laws, call 911 immediately. Enforcement is a cooperative effort - for the police to enforce the law, they must be made aware of a violation at the time it is committed.
In closing, I hope you all have a safe summer. Patience is called a virtue, and is really important to all of us at this time of the year.