Bike Safety
Hundreds of cyclists are killed, and thousands injured, each year while navigating the nation's roadways. Bicycle riders can help prevent crashes by following a few basic rules of the road:
- Always wear an approved bicycle safety helmet to protect your head from serious injury when riding.
- Before riding out of a driveway, parking lot or sidewalk into the street, stop and look left, right and left again for traffic.
- Ride on the right–hand side of the street in the same direction as the flow of automobile traffic.
- When riding with others, form a single line, one bike length apart, on the right–hand side of the roadway.
- Stop at all stop signs and look left, right, and left again for traffic.
- Walk your bike across busy roads and intersections.
- Use hand signals to show others that you are stopping or making a turn.
- Help other drivers to see you. Wear light or brightly colored clothing.
- On streets where cars are parked, watch for car doors opening into the roadways.
- Avoid riding after dark or if the weather is bad. All cyclists are at risk during the hours of darkness.
- Give cars and pedestrians the right–of–way. It's an act of courtesy, and it's safer, too.
- Obey traffic signs, signals and pavement markings. Obeying the law can keep you out of many hazardous driving situations.
- Avoid broken pavement, litter, loose gravel, mud, or leaves. Any of these can cause you to lose control of your bike.
- Look all ways before crossing at crosswalks.
- Keep to the right in the crosswalk. At signalized crosswalks, cross only on proper signal.
- Avoid crossing between parked cars.
- Where there is no sidewalk and it is necessary to walk in the roadway, walk on left side, facing traffic.
- Wear or carry retro–reflective material at night to help drivers see you.
Tips For Safe School Bus Riding
For a safe and enjoyable ride to and from school, follow these rules:
- Leave home early enough to arrive at your bus stop on time.
- Wait for your bus in a safe place well off the roadway.
- Enter your bus in an orderly manner and take your seat.
- Follow the instructions of your school bus driver or bus patrol.
- Remain in your seat while your bus is in motion.
- Keep your head and arms in the bus at all times.
- Keep aisles clear at all times.
- Remain quiet and orderly.
- Be courteous to your school bus driver and fellow passengers.
- Be alert to traffic when leaving the bus.