One of the problems bicyclists face
is motorists who think they don't belong on the road. As
drivers, we must share roadways safely with all users, and
bicyclists have every right to be out there.
Many
drivers are not thinking about bicycles and often do
not see them. Keep watch for bikes and be wary in places
they might be around. Especially around intersections, there's
potential for conflict with bikes -- watch out for riders
who ignore traffic signals, make turns on the roadway, or
change lanes erratically.
Bicyclists get injured or killed riding
the wrong way (against the traffic). If you are exiting
a drive, a side street, or a parking lot, and plan to make
a right turn onto the road, look to the right for bicyclists
BEFORE crossing the sidewalk. We often look only to the
left, watching for a break in traffic. A rider coming from
the right is often not seen; and the resultant collisions
cause many injuries and deaths.
Bike lanes are for bikes, so don't drive
or park in them. Be especially careful to allow bikes to
merge with the flow of traffic as they get close to an intersection.
Don't drive on paved shoulders (and don't use them for right
turns). Yield the right of way to a bicyclist the same way
as you would for any other vehicle, and follow the same
rules. Don't crowd them, and don't cut them off. If you
are parked along a roadway, be careful not to open your
door into the path of a bike -- take a look first and make
sure the path is clear.
It is inappropriate to use your horn
to tell a bicyclist to get out of the way. Startling bicyclists
in this way may cause them to lose control or swerve into
traffic. Remember they have the right to use the road, so
be careful to pass a bike only when it is safe to do so.
You must give the bike plenty of room when passing. You
endanger cyclists and risk a citation if you pass them too
closely or cut them off when passing. The recommended clearance
is five feet between your vehicle and the bike -- more if
you drive a very large vehicle. If there's no room to pass
safely, then your ONLY option is to follow them at a safe
distance until there is.
Allow bicycles room to maneuver around hazards.
There's often trash (don't litter!), broken glass, and other
debris in the areas where bicycles operate. Even a sewer
grate or storm drain can cause problems. Trash collects
on the sides and center of a road, thrown and blown by tires
and wind, then trapped by walls, fences and curbs. Bicyclists
will move into traffic to avoid these dangers, and they
have the right to use the ENTIRE lane if needed. Anticipate,
slow down, and give them room. Allow them to negotiate railroad
tracks -- they may need to move into the road to cross them.
Sharing the road with bicycles is not
that difficult, but it requires us to think, use common
sense, always be courteous, and drive responsibly so that
we don't cause increased danger or harm.
Relax, and don't get wrapped around
the axle!
<Rule
40: Practice Smart Bicycling
Rule 42: Practice Prudent Courtesy>
