Information
Learn the rules of the road, hand
signals, basic bicycle maintenance, and bicycle
handling skills/safety maneuvers, or for general bicycling
safety tips visit the Department
of Transportation's website.
Also be sure you are aware of bicycle-specific
laws in your area, such as those pertaining to helmet
use and riding on the sidewalk. You may want to enroll
in one of the League's BikeEd
classes to improve your bicycling skills, learn
about bicycle maintenance, teach your children to ride
or become a certified BikeEd instructor. A class on
motorist education is also offered. Learning the rules
of the road will help you ride with confidence and stay
safe.
The League
of American Bicyclists has created a number of
Fact
Sheets to provide general riding and maintenance
information, tips for beginners on gear shifting and
bicycle selection, and more specialized information
on topics such as hill climbing, group rides and nutrition.
The League
Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling is a great
resource to help entry-level and returning cyclists
feel safe and confident. The guide covers: purchasing
a bicycle, how the components work, rules of the road,
selecting equipment and gear, basic maintenance and
repairs, bicycling to work, and improving health and
fitness.
Basic Safety Rules:
- Wear a helmet! In many states wearing
a helmet is only enforced by law for individuals under
16 or 18 years old. However, the use of a helmet has
been shown to reduce the risk of head or brain injury
by up to 85 and 88 percent, respectively.
- Ride with traffic, on the right
side of the road.
- Stay as far right as is practical,
but remain a car door's width away from parked vehicles
to avoid being "doored." Exceptions: when passing
another cyclist or vehicle, making a left turn, avoiding
hazards, or approaching a right turn lane. Ride on
the paved shoulder if it is suitable for bicycling.
- Move closer to the center of the
lane if the travel lane is narrow to prevent motorists
from passing without sufficient room. You may also
take the lane when you are traveling at the same speed
as traffic, when approaching an intersection, or if
there is no shoulder or bike lane.
- Avoid riding on the sidewalk. Cycling
on the sidewalk is dangerous to both cyclists and
pedestrians, and is illegal in many areas. If you
do ride on the sidewalk, remember that pedestrians
have the right of way and that you have all the rights
and duties of a pedestrian. However, be sure to give
pedestrians an audible warning when you pass.
- Use turn lanes in the same manner
as motorists.
- When going straight through an
intersection with a right turn lane, use the through
lane. When turning left you may either: look back,
signal, move into the left turn lane and turn left
or ride straight to the far-side crosswalk, and walk
your bike across.
- Keep at least one hand on the handle
bars at all times, even while carrying a package.
- Obey all traffic signs and signals
- Passengers should be on a separate
attached seat. Only carry the number of people for
which the bicycle is equipped.
- Do not wear headsets or earplugs!
- Always use hand signals to convey
your intentions to motorists. Try to signal at least
100 feet before the turn (see diagrams).
- While riding at night or in other
conditions with poor visibility, be sure to have a
front light, a red rear reflector and white or yellow
pedal or side reflectors.
- Do not pass motorists on the right.
They are probably not expecting this action and may
hit you while making a sudden right turn.
- Ride in a predictable, straight
line. Avoid switching between the road, crosswalks
and sidewalk, as motorists are less likely to see
you.
- Ride single file. Riding two abreast
is only permitted when no motor vehicle traffic is
present within 300 feet, when sight distance is greater
than 300 feet in front of and behind you, or on exclusive
bicycle facilities.
- Make eye contact with drivers.
Beware of cars pulling out from driveways or intersections
and assume they do not see you.
- Never attach yourself or your bicycle
to a motor vehicle.
Tips for Motor Vehicle Drivers:
- Allow at least three feet between
the vehicle and a bicyclist
- Wait until it is safe to pass before
overtaking a cyclist
- When turning right, avoid cutting
off bicyclists proceeding straight through the intersection.
- If you honk your horn before passing,
do so at a reasonable distance to avoid startling
the cyclist and causing them to swerve unexpectedly.
- Make a habit of scanning for bicyclists
and pedestrians as you would other vehicles.
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