Radio Spot: Share the Road
Whether it’s the high gas prices or the quest to stay fit, many Americans have taken to the streets on their bicycles. Sadly, motorists don’t always know how to share the road with bicyclists. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Always watch for bicyclists. Bicycles are vehicles and as such can use an entire lane. Bicyclists take up less space and are quieter than a car or motorcycle. Therefore look ahead for people on bikes on the road. Give these bicyclists the space and right-of-way they need to stay safe.
- Allow bicyclists extra time to get through intersections. If there are obstacles that could get in the way of a person on a bike, give them space to maneuver and stay safe.
- Only pass bicyclists when you can do so with care. Treat the people on bikes the same way you treat a slow-moving car. This means don’t drive up right behind them. Instead, give them space and wait until you can safely pass. Reduce your speed when passing bicyclists. Do not blast your horn. This could cause a bicyclist to jerk and lose control of the bike. Remember that your side mirrors stick out. Take this into account when you give at least three feet of passing space to someone on a bike. After passing look back and make sure you are in the clear before returning to your lane.
For more information, visit our website at BrittonLawFirm.com.
That’s B-R-I-T-T-O-N Law Firm.com
Source – Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center [Formerly http://www.bicyclinginfo.org]