Bicyclist Safety
Biking is a healthy and environment-friendly way to get to school! However, one must take precautions to ensure safety on a two-wheeled vehicle.
It Starts With Attire—Be safe, Be seen!
Before riding, you must ensure that you and your bike are safely dressed:
Well-Fitting Helmet
Bright-Colored Clothing
Reflectors/Lights
A helmet is useless if it does not fit. According to the National Highway Traffic Association, "The helmet should sit level on your head and low on your forehead—one or two finger-widths above your eyebrow." It should not move when shaking your head.
Bike reflectors and lights are essential, especially when riding early in the morning and late at night. The more visible you are, the better. Attach a rear reflector behind the seat, and multiple on the spokes. If riding at night, be sure to have front and rear lights.
Ideally, cyclists wear high-visibility yellow and green clothing. However, any color of clothing besides dark shades (blue, black, etc.), provides a greater likelihood of cars seeing you.
In general, bicyclists follow the same rules as cars.
So what does this look like? (According to the California Vehicle Code)
Riding on the right
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Whether or not there is a dedicated bike lane, cyclists should ride on the far-right side of the road (moving in the same direction as cars). Exceptions to the far-right rule include if the cyclist:
- Travels at the same speed as traffic.
- Merges to turn left.
- Avoids a hazard.
- Is in an authorized right-turn lane.
- Cannot safely share the lane with a car.
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In such cases, the cyclist has the legal right to "take the lane."
Stopping at stop signs
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Just like cars, cyclists should come to a complete stop before the limit line, then check in all directions. Additionally, cyclists yield to pedestrians.
Using hand signals
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A car uses blinking turn signals; cyclists, hand signals. Before turning, cyclists should let those around them know the action that they plan to take. Refer the image to the left.