Bicycle Safety

 

Bicycle riding is a great way to get into shape and enjoy the outdoors. To remain safe on Illinois roads, it is important to follow the same traffic safety laws that govern vehicle drivers.

No amount of bicycle safety equipment can adequately protect a rider from the dangerous force of a car or truck if involved in a vehicle collision. The best way to avoid injury is by being prepared for the dangers that streets pose to bicycle riders and by obeying the rules of the road.

 

Learning and practicing the bicycle rules of the road is your responsibility. The short time it takes to read this article and practice what you have learned can provide a lifetime of safe bicycle riding.

 

Parental Responsibilities

Parents should be aware of the responsibilities they must assume when their children ride bikes or walk near streets or highways. These responsibilities range from the selection of proper equipment for the child to seeing that the child learns and obeys all traffic laws. For the safety of your child and others, make bicycle safety one of your priorities.

 

Bicycle Safety Equipment

Bicycle helmets are an essential element of bicycle safety and must be properly fitted and adjusted. Always wear an approved safety helmet while riding to protect your head and brain from injury in case of an accident.

 

Make sure your bicycle has the following safety equipment:

✓ Front light visible for at least 500 feet (night riders)

✓ Clear front reflector

✓ Red rear reflector visible from 100 to 600 feet

✓ Horn or bell that can be heard up to 100 feet

✓ Reliable, properly adjusted brakes

✓ Wheel-mounted side reflectors

✓ Reflector pedals

✓ Gears that are adjusted and operate smoothly

✓ Properly adjusted seat

✓ Handlebars and all accessories securely attached

 

 

Obey all Traffic Laws

• When riding your bicycle on Illinois roadways, you must obey the same traffic laws,

  signs and signals that apply to motorists.

• Bicyclists must ride in the same direction as other traffic. Riding in the opposite direction of   

  traffic is both dangerous and against the law.

• Motorists are required by law to allow at least 3 feet of space between them and a bicyclist

  when passing.

 

Riding on Sidewalks

• When walking or riding your bicycle on a sidewalk or along a crosswalk you must obey all

  pedestrian signs and signals.

• Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on sidewalks or crosswalks. Slow  

  down and go around them when possible.

• When approaching a pedestrian from behind, slow down and give an audible signal to

  alert them of your presence before passing them.

 

Arm Signals

To ride safely in traffic, bicycle riders must use their hands and arms to communicate to other motorists around them. There are four important arm signs you should know and use every time you prepare to turn or stop (see above). Remember to signal, using your left or right arm, about one-third of a block before you plan to turn so vehicles behind you have ample time to slow down.

 

Your eyes are an important safety tool when riding your bike.

Watch other drivers closely to make sure they have seen you and your arm signal

 

Right-of-Way Laws

Right-of-way means that one person has the right to go ahead of another. This applies to bicycle riders, motorists and pedestrians. If others do not follow the rules, let them have the right-of-way to avoid the risk of an accident.

 

Two-way Intersections

When you come to a stop sign at a two-way stop intersection, you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles on the cross street before you go ahead.

 

Four-way Intersections

At a four-way stop intersection, the driver or bicycle rider who arrives first at the intersection should be the first to go. Take turns and go one by one through the intersection after coming to a complete stop. Proceed only when it is safe to do so.

 

Unmarked Intersections

At an unmarked intersection or crossing where there are no traffic signs or signals, the driver or bicycle rider on the left must yield to those on the right. When driving out of an alley or driveway, you must stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles before you cross the sidewalk or enter the street.

 

Emergency Vehicles

Emergency vehicles with their lights flashing and sirens sounding always have the right-of-way. The law requires that you pull over to the side of the road and stop, if necessary, until the emergency vehicle passes you.

 

Disabled Persons

Blind, hearing impaired or physically disabled persons can be identified by their white canes, support or guide dogs. You must always yield the right-of-way to them.

 

Police

If a police officer directs otherwise, the right-of-way laws do not apply; riders and pedestrians must obey the officer’s directions.

 

Approaching a School Bus

 

When approaching a school bus with flashing signal lights and its STOP arm out, bicyclists must obey the stop hand signal and come to a complete stop. You may proceed when the STOP arm retracts and the flashing signals stop.

 

Parking

• Bicycles may be parked on the road at any angle to the curb or edge of the roadway

  where parking is allowed.

• If parking is allowed on a sidewalk, park your bicycle so it will not be in the way of

  pedestrians.

 

Turning

Right Turns

Right turns must be made from the right lane. Stay as close as practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

 

Left Turns

When making a left turn, a bicyclist has two choices:

 

1.           1.  Make the turn as a vehicle would. When a left-hand lane exists, stay in the right side of that

                 lane, then after entering the intersection look in all directions and make the turn when safe.

 

2.           2.  Stay as close as practical to the right curb or edge of the roadway as you enter the 

           intersection. Proceed straight across the roadway to the opposite corner, then wait   

           out of the way of other traffic. After obeying any traffic control device, you may

           directly cross the street again to complete the turn in the new direction.

 

 Article Taken From: www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_ publications/dsd_a143.pdf

 

Safety Quiz

 

1. Always ride your bicycle:

a. on the opposite side of traffic.

b. in the middle of the road.

c. in the same direction as other traffic.

 

2. A bicyclist has the same rights and

responsibilities as a person driving a car.

❏True ❏False

 

3. A person riding a bicycle must:

a. never use hand signals.

b. always use hand signals.

c. use hand signals only when he/she feels like it.

 

4. When approaching a pedestrian on a sidewalk,

a bicyclist:

a. must give an audible signal and go around the pedestrian.

b. shout loudly to the pedestrian and tell them to move over.

 

5. A flashing red light means:

a. reduce speed.

b. stop.

c. caution.

 

6. You should always stop in the middle of a

crosswalk.

❏True ❏False

 

7. When a school bus has its stop sign out, a

bicyclist:

a. can ignore it and go on by.

b. must give the stop hand signal and come to a complete stop.

c. can ride to the other side of the road and continue.

 

8. When crossing an intersection:

a. without looking, quickly ride your bike or walk through it.

b. look left, right and left again, and cross when it is safe.

c. stop in the middle of the intersection and make the cars stop for you.

 

9. When cars and bicycles arrive at a four-way

stop, who goes first?

a. cars always go first.

b. bicycles go first.

c. the one who arrives first goes first.

 

10. It is permissible to make a right-hand turn on

red:

a. when you have come to a complete stop, checked the intersection to make sure it is safe

    to go and checked for signs prohibiting a right-hand turn on red.

b. only if you are driving a car.

c. anytime you feel like it.

 

 

 

Bicycle Safety Quiz Answers

1. c — You should always ride in the same direction as other traffic and stay as close to the right edge of the roadway as practical.

2. T — Bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws that apply to motorists.

3. b — Many accidents can be avoided if hand signals are used properly. Hand signals let drivers know what you are going to do.

4. a — Pedestrians have the right-of-way on sidewalks. When approaching pedestrians, give an audible signal before going around them.

5. b — You must always stop at a flashing red light.

6. F — Crosswalks are designed to let people walk across an intersection and should never be obstructed by a car or other vehicles.

7. b — Bicyclists must always signal and stop for a school bus and proceed when the stop arm is retracted and flashing signals stop.

8. b — It is very important to check in all directions before crossing an intersection.

9. c — At a four-way stop, drivers and bicycle riders are expected to take their turns and go one by one through the intersection.

10. a — You may turn right in Illinois after making a complete stop, checking in all directions, and checking for signs prohibiting a right hand turn.

 

Article Taken From: www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_ publications/dsd_a143.pdf

 

 

 

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