wildflower
05-09-2006, 12:27 PM
With the current rise in gas prices and the warm weather, more and more
cyclists have taken to the road, either for exercise, energy conservation or
both. Cyclists must share the road with cars, trucks, buses and other
motorized vehicles on the roads. Basic guidelines for cyclists and motorists
will help all of us get to our destination without incident
.
For the motorists: Be considerate, bicyclists have the same right to the
road as any motor vehicle. The same right-of-way rules apply to bikes as
cars. Share the road and give cyclists extra room. Allow cyclists to "take"
a travel lane when a lane is too narrow to be shared safely. Be aware that
your speed can create a "windblast" that can push cyclists into danger. Be
patient, when you think about it, a bicyclist may delay your trip by
seconds. Pass with care, give bicyclists a margin of at least five feet, or
stay behind until you can safely pass even if it means going into the other
lane. Respect bike lanes, they are intended to guide the paths of bicyclists
and motorists providing more predictable movements by both.
For the cyclists: Wear a helmet. Take your place in traffic, ride on the
right side with the flow of traffic but don't hug the curb and never be more
than 2 abreast when riding. Take the entire lane (ride in the center) when
it is too narrow to share with other vehicles, or if traveling the same
speed as the vehicle ahead of you, or if hazards narrow the usable roadway
width, or to assert your position in the roadway before making a left turn.
Check for traffic before entering a street or changing lanes. Never assume
that drivers see your hand signals or will yield to you. Make eye contact
with motorists. Anticipate bad moves. Ride defensively! Ride predictably and
visibly. Ride a straight line. Obey all signs, signals and pavement
markings.
cyclists have taken to the road, either for exercise, energy conservation or
both. Cyclists must share the road with cars, trucks, buses and other
motorized vehicles on the roads. Basic guidelines for cyclists and motorists
will help all of us get to our destination without incident
.
For the motorists: Be considerate, bicyclists have the same right to the
road as any motor vehicle. The same right-of-way rules apply to bikes as
cars. Share the road and give cyclists extra room. Allow cyclists to "take"
a travel lane when a lane is too narrow to be shared safely. Be aware that
your speed can create a "windblast" that can push cyclists into danger. Be
patient, when you think about it, a bicyclist may delay your trip by
seconds. Pass with care, give bicyclists a margin of at least five feet, or
stay behind until you can safely pass even if it means going into the other
lane. Respect bike lanes, they are intended to guide the paths of bicyclists
and motorists providing more predictable movements by both.
For the cyclists: Wear a helmet. Take your place in traffic, ride on the
right side with the flow of traffic but don't hug the curb and never be more
than 2 abreast when riding. Take the entire lane (ride in the center) when
it is too narrow to share with other vehicles, or if traveling the same
speed as the vehicle ahead of you, or if hazards narrow the usable roadway
width, or to assert your position in the roadway before making a left turn.
Check for traffic before entering a street or changing lanes. Never assume
that drivers see your hand signals or will yield to you. Make eye contact
with motorists. Anticipate bad moves. Ride defensively! Ride predictably and
visibly. Ride a straight line. Obey all signs, signals and pavement
markings.