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