12
13
BICYCLE
SAFETY
Bicycle
safety
BICYCLING IN TRAFFIC
BICYCLING IN TRAFFIC
ONLY
LEFT
RIGHT
Use hand signals -
Hand signals, using
your left arm, tell
motorists what you
intend to do. Signal
as a matter of law,
courtesy and safety.
Ride in a straight line
- Whenever possible,
ride in a straight line,
to the right of trafic.
Watch for car doors;
ride a bike width away
from parked cars.
Don’t weave between
parked cars - Don’t
ride out to the curb
between parked cars
unless they are far
apart. Motorists may
not see you when you
try to move back into
trafic.
Ride in middle of lane
in slow trafic - Get in
the middle of the lane
at busy intersections
and whenever you are
moving at the same
speed as trafic.
Follow lane markings
- Don’t turn left from
right lane. Don’t go
straight in a lane
marked “Right Turn
Only.”
Watch for cars pulling
out - Make eye contact
with driver. Assume they
don’t see you until you
are sure they do.
Scan the road behind -
Learn to look back over
your shoulder without
losing your balance or
swerving left. Some
riders use rear view
mirrors.
Avoid road hazards -
Watch out for parallel
slat sewer grates,
slippery manhole cover,
oily pavement, gravel
and ice. Cross railroad
tracks carefully at right
angles. To get better
control as you move
across bumps and other
hazards, stand up on
your pedals.
Keep both hands ready
to brake - You may not
stop in time if you brake
one-handed. Allow extra
distance for stopping in
the rain, since brakes are
less eficient when wet.
Watch for chasing dogs
- Ignore them or try a
irm “No!” If the dog
doesn’t stop, dismount
with your bike between
you and the dog. Dogs
are attracted to spinning
wheels and feet.
Watch for cars pulling
out. Obey trafic signs
and signals -Bicycles
must drive like the other
vehicles if they are to be
taken seriously by the
motorists.
Never ride against
trafic - Motorists aren’t
looking for bicyclists on
the wrong side of the
road.
Choose best way to turn
left - There are two ways
to make a left turn.
#1 Like an auto - Signal,
move into the left lane
and turn left.
#2 Like a pedestrian -
Ride straight to the far
side crosswalk. Walk
your bike across.
Don’t pass on the right
- Motorists may not
look for or see a bicycle
passing on the right.
Go slow on sidewalks
- Pedestrians have
the right of way. By
law, you must give
pedestrians audible
warning when you pass.
Don’t cross driveways
or intersections without
slowing to a walkers’
pace and looking very
carefully for trafic
(especially trafic turning
right on a green light).
While riding at dawn, at dusk, at night or at
other times of poor visibility:
• Ride slowly.
• Avoid areas of heavy trafic, dark areas, and roads with
speed limits over 35 mph.
• Avoid road hazards.
• If possible, ride on routes already familiar to you.
