Riding a bicycle is a fun, safe, and healthy pastime. However, many automobile drivers are unsure of how to drive when cyclists are on the road, which can turn an otherwise safe situation into a potentially dangerous one. By following a few simple rules of the road, you can minimize the risk presented by these dangerous drivers, ensure your own safety, and set a positive example for cyclists and automobile drivers.
Bicycle Safety Tips
Some of the rules of the road you should follow to ensure a safe environment include:
- Ride on the same side as the traffic. A bicycle should be treated like a car, and that means you should not ride on the incorrect side of the road.
- Use the turning lane when turning. Turning from an inappropriate lane can potentially cause accidents, as drivers will not be expecting this to occur.
- Obey all traffic signs and lights. Riding through red lights and not stopping at stop signs is not only illegal, but also sets a bad example for other cyclists and causes drivers to have a poor opinion of cyclists.
- Pedestrians have the right of way. Just as vehicles are supposed to yield the right of way to you, you must yield the right of way to pedestrians.
- The farther you are from the speed of traffic, the farther away from the road you should be. If you are travelling significantly faster or slower than the speed of traffic, you should ride as far away as possible, on a shoulder if possible. If you are travelling at a speed inconsistent with traffic, it may confuse drivers and create an unsafe situation.
Contact Us
To learn more about bicycle safety, contact Illinois bike lock company A&Js' Bike Locks at www.bike-locks.com or 708-460-2999. We can assist you with any questions you may have about bicycle safety or selecting a proper lock or equipment.
