Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates

Share the Road Campaign

Ten Tips for Motorists: Sharing the Road with Cyclists

From the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates ( SABA )

Everyone is free to travel, but driving is a privilege. Cyclists are legitimate road users and have a right to be on the road. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of vehicles. Contrary to popular belief, riding on sidewalks is not recommended for cyclists and in many areas it is illegal. In most cases, cyclists are not required to use a multi-use path even if it runs alongside the roadway.

Most adult cyclists own a car and pay vehicle registration fees and the property, sales and other taxes that fund roads. By choosing to ride instead of drive, cyclists are benefiting everyone by reducing traffic congestion, pollution, road wear and health care costs.

We should be encouraging more people to bike and making it safer for those who already are cycling. Here's how motorists can help:

Tips

Pass cyclists at a safe distance.

Open car doors carefully.

Merge right into bike lanes and close to the curb before making a right turn.

Otherwise, don't drive or stop in bike lanes.

Look for cyclists when making left turns.

Drive at a safe speed.

Stop at red lights and stop signs.

Use caution at interchanges.

Concentrate on driving and be alert.

Be considerate and patient.

Pass cyclists at a safe distance.

Give them at least 3 feet. Allow more distance the faster you are driving. (CVC21750)

Open car doors carefully.

Always see if it is safe to open your door by checking your mirrors or turning to look for approaching cyclists. Cyclists don't have time to react when a car door is suddenly opened in front of them. Motorists “dooring” cyclists is all too common even though motorists are responsible for insuring opening a door won't interfere with traffic. (CVC22517)

Merge right into bike lanes and close to the curb before making a right turn.

When preparing to make a right turn where a bike lane is present, merge into the bike lane when it is safe to do so, within 200 feet of an intersection. Drivers should not overtake a cyclist just before making a right turn. They should safely merge toward the curb or bike lane, then turn. Near intersections bike lane stripes change from solid white lines to dashed lines. That's the indication right-turners should be in the bike lane. Always use your turn signals before turning. (CVC21209)

Otherwise, don't drive or stop in bike lanes.

Drivers should enter bike lanes before intersections when making a right turn. Drivers may need to cross bike lanes to park, or enter or leave driveways. Otherwise, drivers should not enter bike lanes, such as to avoid waiting behind cars making a left turn. Drivers must not stop or park in bike lanes—cars blocking bike lanes force cyclists into traffic lanes. (CVC21209)

Look for cyclists when making left turns.

Motorists may only look for large vehicles. Cyclists are smaller and sometimes hidden by the clutter of signs, pedestrians and parked cars near curbs. Yield to oncoming cyclists just as you would to oncoming motorists. Always use your turn signals before turning.

Don't speed.

You have more time to react at lower speeds and can avoid crashes. Low speed crashes are far more survivable than high speed crashes. A safe speed is lower than the speed limit when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions dictate. (CVC22350)

Stop at red lights and stop signs.

Red light runners endanger everyone on the road. Obey red lights and stop signs. Don't pull out in front of cyclists--yield the right of way as you would to motorists. (CVC21461)

Use caution at interchanges.

Interchanges can be scary places for cyclists. Slow-moving cyclists have to merge with vehicles accelerating too early to freeway speeds or slowing down too late from freeway speeds. Where there are two lane freeway on- or off-ramps, cyclists may have to pick their way across multiple lanes of heavy, high-speed traffic. Don't drive at freeway speeds unless you are on a freeway.

Concentrate on driving and be alert.

Don't drive distracted. Someone's life may depend on your driving. Give it the attention is deserves. Using a cell phone or eating while driving can result in inattention and tragedy. Even when you are concentrating on driving, cyclists can be hard to see, day or night. Young cyclists may be unpredictable and lack road sense. Any cyclist may need to swerve to avoid road hazards such as potholes or debris. Don't drink and drive. If you have been drinking, your judgment will be impaired and you will be less alert. Many drugs cause drowsiness and don't mix with driving.

Be considerate and patient.

Don't honk. Cyclists can hear your vehicle. It's not necessary to alert them of your presence. Honking can startle a cyclist and cause them to swerve. Don't yell, throw things, drive aggressively or harass cyclists. Respect your fellow road users. They may be a neighbor, colleague, family member or friend. When in doubt, yield to cyclists. Waiting until it is safe to pass a cyclist usually takes only a few seconds. (CVC27001)

California Vehicle Code (CVC) references can be found at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm .