As the warm weather comes, more bicyclists are taking to the roads and sidewalks but what exactly are the rules of the road and safety tips for bicycles? Keep reading.
Motorists and bicyclists in the United States both have a responsibility to know the rules of the road. Most people don't know bicyclists should ride on the road, not the sidewalk. Here are some more safety tips for motorists and bicyclists to follow.
Rules For Bicyclists To Follow
To create a safer environment for bicyclists on the road, both bicyclists and motorists need to know and obey the rules.
- The most unknown rule is that bicyclists should not ride on the sidewalk. Even though this may seem to be a safer option, in reality, it is not. Motorists do not watch for bicyclists on the sidewalk so when a bicyclist crosses an intersection or driveway, she is at a greater risk of being hit by a motorist because that motorist is not alert.
- Ride on a trail, paved shoulder, bike lane or bike route. To go along with this rule, always follow the rules of the road and ride with the flow of traffic. Make sure to ride to the right, obey signs and lane markings, signal turns and yield to traffic as appropriate. When riding with the flow of traffic, motorists can see bicyclists better and can better predict a bicyclist's movements.
- Make sure motorists can see bicyclists. Wear reflective clothing, use headlights and taillights and reflectors. This is so motorists can see bicyclists in the dark. Be predictable! Do not do things that will be unexpected to a motorist.
- The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) which is part of the United States Federal Highway Administration's Office of Natural and Human Environment, states most vehicle/bicycle crashes happen at intersections when a motorist or bicyclist is turning – not from behind. So always have a careful eye out for any and all turning traffic at driveways and intersections.
- Watch our for rocks, potholes, railroad tracks and anything else that can make a bicyclist fall or swerve. Never wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while biking.
- Keep a three feet clearance from vehicles even with parked vehicles in which a door could open and hit a bicyclist. This is to maintain visibility and room to stop.
- The easiest safety law to abide is wearing a bicycle helmet. It's the most important safety feature for bicyclists.
Rules For Motorists To Follow
- Motorists should always keep an eye out for bicyclists. Bicyclists are allowed to use a lane of traffic and are following the same rules as motorists.
- Don't make any aggressive maneuvers, give bicyclists extra time to cross the intersection and obey speed limits as always.
- Treat a bicyclist as a slow-moving vehicle. Do not tailgate or blare the horn. When passing a bicyclist, reduce speed and follow the three feet clearance rule.
Motorists and bicyclists both have to do their part to make the roads safe when more bicyclists are out and about on the roadways. Check with the state's department of transportation to see any more guidelines or rules.
The copyright of the article Bicycle Safety in the United States in Cycling & Mountain Biking is owned by Tamara Frank. Permission to republish Bicycle Safety in the United States in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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