Bike Safety
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!

Practice Smart Bicycling
Protect your number one asset! I wasn't born rich or good looking -- so my brain is my strong point, although some would argue this. Be that as it may, I'd wear a helmet if I rode a bike. Even minor bumps can cause spills resulting in head impacts and at as little as 4 mph, a head injury can be fatal. One estimate says that as high as 85% of these injuries could be prevented by helmets.

Especially in low-light or at nighttime, a bicyclist is hard to see. I've seen bike riders with no lights, wearing black clothes, riding along in the half-light of dusk, with no clue that they are virtually invisible. Wear bright, reflective clothing or light colors. Use reflective tape; put reflectors and lights on your bike. Battery-powered, pulsating "strobe" lights are especially good for "being seen." Be aware of where and when you are hard to see and ride to be visible. Don't ride where you are hidden by other vehicles or obstructions.

Remember the pedestrian you knock off the sidewalk today may be the motorist who sideswipes you tomorrow! Be courteous and respectful. When approaching pedestrians, reduce speed. Give them a polite verbal warning and a wide berth. Be courteous to motorists too. Use hand signals and be careful not to impede traffic. Obey all traffic laws when riding on the roadway. Remember that no matter the cause, if there is a collision, you lose.

Pay attention. Be aware of your surroundings and control distractions and impediments. You need all your senses when riding -- don't wear a headset stereo. Same with cell phones; it's dumb to ride a bike, watch traffic, and talk on a cell phone all at the same time.

Develop smart "road moves." Be predictable. Ride with the traffic, not against it. One of the top causes of bicyclist injury is riding the wrong way and being hit by a vehicle turning right - the driver doesn't look to the right, he's looking left for the chance to get into traffic. Chances are he never looks right until he hears the crash of a bicycle against his right front fender.

"Take the lane" when necessary for safety. Bikes should operate single-file, as close to the right curb as possible. But if the road is too narrow for a car to pass a bike safely within the lane, the bike should "take the lane" in the interest of his own safety (to prevent the motorist from passing unsafely). Do a head check, then move left a quarter or a third of the way into the lane until the road is wide enough to accommodate both the bike and the vehicle safely again. Do the same when there are road hazards. Watch for railroad tracks, debris, uneven road surfaces, loose gravel, and parked cars that are ready to pull out -- or open their doors. Be ready to swing wide when necessary, but make sure you "check six" (look behind you) first.

Finally, make safe left turns. Bikes can join the traffic to make left turns, but while legal, this can be a dangerous thing to do. Instead, why not continue straight across an intersection in the right lane, stop, get off your bike and use the crosswalk to cross the street, remount, and continue in the desired direction. However you do it, make sure you keep your eyes moving and beware of any impending dangers -- city intersections are dangerous and busy places, especially for a bike rider.

To summarize, protect your head, be visible, be courteous, and ride smart!