Bicycle Safety Tips

Page 1

Bicycle

SAFETY TIPS SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

SLOBIKELANE.ORG


Bicyclists on public roadways assume all the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers, and are subject to the same state laws and local ordinances.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

SLOBIKELANE.ORG


Be Be Predictable Predictable NEVER RIDE AGAINST TRAFFIC

Motorists aren’t looking for bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the road. Many other hazards threaten the wrong-way rider.

OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNSBICYCLE ANDCOALITION BASIC SLO COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY RULES SLOBIKELANE.ORG

Cyclists must drive like motorists if they want to be


wrong side of the road. Many other hazards threaten the wrong-way rider.

Be Predictable

OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND BASIC RIGHT-OF-WAY RULES

Cyclists must drive like motorists if they want to be taken seriously. Doing so is also the safest behavior. When approaching a stop sign or red light, you are required to come to a complete stop and proceed only when safe to do so.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

SLOBIKELANE.ORG

USE HAND SIGNALS


taken seriously. Doing so is also the safest behavior. When approaching a stop sign or red light, you are required to come to a complete stop and proceed only when safe to do so.

Be Predictable USE HAND SIGNALS LEFT

RIGHT

Hand signals tell other road users what you intend to do. Signal as a matter of law, of courtesy, and out of self-protection.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

SLOBIKELANE.ORG RIDE IN A STRAIGHT LINE


LEFT

RIGHT

Hand signals tell other road users what you intend to do. Signal as a matter of law, of courtesy, and out of self-protection.

Be Predictable RIDE IN A STRAIGHT LINE

Whenever possible, ride in a straight line, to the right of traffic and a car door’s width away from parked cars.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

DON’T WEAVE BETWEEN PARKED CARS SLOBIKELANE.ORG Don’t ride to the curb between parked cars, unless


right of traffic and a car door’s width away from parked cars.

Be Predictable

DON’T WEAVE BETWEEN PARKED CARS

Don’t ride to the curb between parked cars, unless they are far apart. Motorists may not see you when you try to move back into traffic.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

SLOBIKELANE.ORG FOLLOW LANE MARKINGS


they are far apart. Motorists may not see you when you try to move back into traffic.

Be Predictable FOLLOW LANE MARKINGS

Don’t turn left from the right lane. Don’t go straight in a lane marked “right-turn-only.” ONLY

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

CHOOSE THE BEST WAY TO TURN LEFT SLOBIKELANE.ORG

There are two ways to make a left turn. 1) Like an


Don’t turn left from the right lane. Don’t go straight in a lane marked “right-turn-only.”

Be Predictable ONLY

CHOOSE THE 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: If you are within a designated crosswalk, dismount and walk your bike across

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

SLOBIKELANE.ORG


Be Be Alert Alert MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH AUTO DRIVERS

Assume they don’t see you until you are certain they do.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION WATCH FOR RIGHT-TURNING TRAFFIC

SLOBIKELANE.ORG Be careful to avoid drivers blindspots. Watch for any


Assume they don’t see you until you are certain they do.

Be Alert

WATCH FOR RIGHT-TURNING TRAFFIC

Be careful to avoid drivers blindspots. Watch for any indications that a motorist may turn into your path. When approaching intersections move into the left side of the lane to allow vehicles to safely turn right. Avoid passing motorists on the right, in a right turn lane.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

LOOK BACK BEFORE YOU PASS OR MERGE SLOBIKELANE.ORG Leave a safe 3-4 feet when passing a vehicle or


indications that a motorist may turn into your path. When approaching intersections move into the left side of the lane to allow vehicles to safely turn right. Avoid passing motorists on the right, in a right turn lane.

Be Alert

LOOK BACK BEFORE YOU PASS OR MERGE Leave a safe 3-4 feet when passing a vehicle or another bicyclist. A rear-view mirror is a good idea, but don’t rely on it alone.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

RESPECT PEDESTRIANS’ RIGHTS SLOBIKELANE.ORG

Pedestrians have the right of way. Riding on the


Leave a safe 3-4 feet when passing a vehicle or another bicyclist. A rear-view mirror is a good idea, but don’t rely on it alone.

Be Alert

RESPECT PEDESTRIANS’ RIGHTS

Pedestrians have the right of way. Riding on the sidewalk is illegal in most places. On a shared path, give a warning: your bike bell, or call out “passing on your left”.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

SLOBIKELANE.ORG KEEP BOTH HANDS READY TO BRAKE


sidewalk is illegal in most places. On a shared path, give a warning: your bike bell, or call out “passing on your left”.

Be Alert

KEEP BOTH HANDS READY TO BRAKE

You may not stop in time if you brake one-handed. Allow extra distance for stopping in rain, since brakes are less efficient when wet.

COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION AVOID ROADSLO HAZARDS

SLOBIKELANE.ORG Cross railroad tracks perpendicularly. Avoid


Allow extra distance for stopping in rain, since brakes are less efficient when wet.

Be Alert

AVOID ROAD HAZARDS

Cross railroad tracks perpendicularly. Avoid parallel-slat sewer grates, slippery manhole covers, oily pavement, gravel and potholes. All are hazardous, especially when wet.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

SPEED LIMIT

WATCH YOURSLOBIKELANE.ORG SPEED

Observe posted speed limits and obey the basic


parallel-slat sewer grates, slippery manhole covers, oily pavement, gravel and potholes. All are hazardous, especially when wet.

Be Alert

15

SPEED LIMIT

MPH

WATCH YOUR SPEED

Observe posted speed limits and obey the basic speed law: Never ride faster than is safe under the existing conditions.

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

SLOBIKELANE.ORG


These tips have been brought to you by the:

SLO County

Bicycle Coalition YOUR voice for bicycles in SLO County!

SLO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

SLOBIKELANE.ORG


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