Safe Cycling: Sharing the Road

  • Published
  • By Maj. Philip L Wieser,
  • 452nd MSG/CD

It is important to safely share the road with bicyclist both on and off base. During the June A-UTA, there was a minor collision between a bicycle and car on Graeber St. and, fortunately, no injuries resulted.  Many cyclists do not walk away from collisions involving a motor vehicle. In 2015, 818 people lost their lives in bicycle/motor vehicle crashes. Below is a list of requirements for bike riders:

 

               Where you can ride

  • If you're moving as fast as traffic, you can ride wherever you want.

  • If you're moving slower than traffic, you can still "take the lane." The law says that people who ride bikes must ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable except under the following conditions: when passing, preparing for a left turn, avoiding hazards, if the lane is too narrow to share, or if approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

  •  Ride with traffic. Bicyclists must travel on the right side of the roadway in the direction of traffic, except when passing, making a legal left turn, riding on a one-way street, riding on a road that is too narrow, or when the right side of the road is closed due to road construction.

     

    Equipping your bike

  • Bicycles must be equipped with a brake that allows an operator to execute a one-braked-wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

  • Handlebars must not be higher than the rider's shoulders.

  • Bicycles must be small enough for the rider to stop, support it with one foot on the ground, and start safely.

  • At night, a white headlight visible from the front must be attached to the bicycle or the bicyclist.

  • At night bicycles must have a red reflector visible from the back. You may attach a solid or flashing red rear light in addition to the reflector. White or yellow reflector on each pedal or on the bicyclist's shoes or ankles must be visible from the front and back. A white or yellow reflector on each side of the front half of the bicycle and a red or white reflector on each side of the back half of the bike. These reflectors are not required if the bike has reflectorized front and back tires.

  • All riders must have a permanent, regular seat, unless the bicycle is designed by the manufacturer to be ridden without a seat. Bicycle passengers weighing less than 40 lbs. must have a seat which retains them in place and protects them from moving parts.

 

               Operating your bike

  • Bicyclists and bicycle passengers under age 18 must wear an approved helmet when riding on a bicycle.

  • Bicyclists may not wear earplugs in both ears or a headset covering both ears. Hearing aids are allowed.

  • Unlike motorists, cyclists are permitted to use a handheld cell phone while riding. Be careful!

  • Bicyclists may not hitch rides on vehicles.

  • Bicyclists may not carry items which keep them from using at least one hand upon the handlebars.

 

For more information on bicycle safety, visit www.calbike.org

and www.bicyclesafe.com