Tips for Bike Safety
As the weather gets warmer it means several things. Sweaters and coats get put away for shorts and t-shirts, we start to fire up the grill, and we take our bicycles out and start riding. But when you take that first ride of the year do you know what side of the road you ride on or even where on the road to ride? Can you go on the sidewalk? What signs apply to you? The wrong answer to these questions can turn a pleasant evening ride into a nightmare so when riding be sure to remember the following:
- Travel with traffic: this allows you to signal with your left hand the direction you are going and if you are stopping.
- Stay in your dedicated bicycle lane: if there is no bicycle lane stay as close to the shoulder as possible. Stay off the sidewalk.
- All signs apply! If you come to a stop sign, stop. If you come to a yield sign, yield. If there is a one-way sign, then you need to follow that sign.
- All traffic lights apply! If the intersection is controlled by a traffic light, then you must follow the lights.
If you are able to follow these rules, those summer bike rides will be much safer and you’ll be able to avoid collisions.
