Springtime Is Here! Beware of More Cyclists: Watch Out- Cyclists Should Obey the Rule of the Road.

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Compiled by Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N.

Here are the Rules of the Road. Be Courteous and that recommendation goes both ways!

Safety should be your first concern.

  1. Respect right of way of motorists.
  2. Obey traffic signals like from green to yellow light. Stop unless safety is a concern – wet pavement.
  3. Obey stop signs and stop lights. (My personal downfall is when riding in my own neighborhood – but am forcing myself to adhere to law. This makes motorists mad if you don’t obey the rules of the road).
  4. If riding with a group, look behind for another bike or car before changing position in a pace line.
  5. If riding with a group, if you see a pothole, a dog, or some debris on the road, let your fellow cyclists know by pointing.
  6. When over taking another cyclist or passing around a runner or walker, saying On Your Right or Car Up or Car Back to help ensure safety. As a runner, too, I can’t tell you have many times a cyclist has flown past me and one simple step from me could have caused a collision with the cyclist.  When riding on Rails-To-Trails, dogs are also a problem.  They don’t understand command like on your left so I am especially careful around dogs.
  7. In most states, riding two abreast is allowed unless in heavy traffic but sometimes the interpretation is left up to law officer’s discretion. Check your state’s policy.
  8. Cyclists should ride to the right in most cases but on a narrow road you should share the road without being run off the road for safety.
  9. When turning, using effective hand signals in a group will alert other cyclists as to your intention which can help with safety of both you and the other cyclist.
  10. Follow the GOLDEN RULE: ALWAYS KEEP YOUR COOL and remain courteous to other cyclists and motorists.

 

 

Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N, is a registered dietitian (www.DayByDayNutrition.com) who has been teaching healthy lifestyles strategies to consumers for over 35+ years.