More and more communities are looking at the vast number of people who commute to work and plan leisure activities by bicycling and walking. Cities throughout the nation are exploring the future of transit in hopes of creating a safer alternative for travel.
No matter the mode of transportation, we must consider that landscapes and roadways are steadily changing, and safety will always be a primary concern for children and adults alike.
SEE AND BE SEEN! (Bicyclists and pedestrians):
- Watch for moving vehicles
- Watch for vehicles entering roadways from driveways or intersecting access roads
- Watch for vehicles turning left or right onto secondary roadways, the same as if you are traveling in a motor vehicle
- Follow traffic signals, stop signs, and crossing signs to increase safety
- Wear light or reflective clothing so that others can see you
Bicycling:
- Be sure that your bicycle is appropriate for your size. Stand over your bicycle. There should be 1 to 2 inches between you and the top tube (bar) using a road bike and 3 to 4 inches if a mountain bicycle. The seat should be level front to back
- Install front & rear reflective lights on bicycles
- When riding a bicycle, always wear a properly fitted helmet. Helmets save lives
- Avoid wearing headphones, earbuds, or using your cell phone; they all cause distractions. Motor vehicles, car horns, and sirens are challenging to detect if you cannot hear them
- Ride on the right-hand side of the street, traveling with traffic and not against it
- Check your equipment every time you ride. “3” ABCs before riding a bicycle
- A – Air in tires
- B – Brakes
- C – Chain
- Stay in complete control of your bike. Avoid medications that may alter your awareness, including alcohol and drug use. These can all result in deadly consequences
Pedestrians:
- Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. If one is not available, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible
- Pay attention and keep alert at all times. Avoid wearing headphones so that you can hear the traffic and pedestrians around you. Never text or look at your cell phone when crossing the street
- Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians, and look for cars in all directions, including those turning. If neither is available, locate a well-lit area with the best traffic view. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely, and watch for traffic as you cross
- Never enter the street from between parked cars. If crossing mid-block is unavoidable, pedestrians must yield the right of way to vehicles on the roadway
- Do not cross an intersection diagonally except where it has official traffic control devices
- Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
For more information on bicycle and pedestrian safety: click here
