Driver Etiquette: How to Ride with Bikes
- Drivers of motor vehicles must treat bicycle riders the same as drivers of other motor vehicles.
- Be aware
bicyclists have legal access to the roadway and must obey stop signs,
traffic lights, and most other traffic laws and signs.
- Special care must be used near bicyclists because any accident with them will probably result in serious injury.
- Automobile drivers should leave safe passing room. If you are not sure you have enough room to pass, don't.
- Be Patient.
- When turning, you MUST not turn so close to them that the bicyclist is in danger of being hit.
- Bicyclists
can legally move to the left lane to turn left, to pass another
vehicle or bicycle, or to avoid debris or parked cars.
-
Bicyclists may have to swerve to avoid a car door suddenly opening,
glass, storm grates, dogs and other hazards on the road.
- Expect any of these moves by bicyclists in a main traffic lane.
- When the
lane is too narrow to pass a bicyclist safely, wait until the next
lane is clear and give the bicyclist all the rights of any other slow
moving vehicle.
- A motorist
parked at a curb must not open a door on the traffic side of a
vehicle without looking for other vehicles, including bicycles or
motorcycles.
- Bicycle
riders may give right turn signals with their right arm held straight
out or pointing right. Remember, bicycles are small and sometimes
drivers do not see them.
- Don't honk at bicyclists. Loud noise may startle the bicyclist and cause them to move into the lane of traffic.
Click here for bicyclist etiquette.