By Cpl. Chris Newel

With the warmer temperatures more cyclists are now on the road. It is also a good time to review some of the rules of the road with respect to riding a bicycle.

Parents should discuss with kids the approved biking areas. Kids younger than 10 years old might consider riding on the sidewalk rather than the street.

What to teach young cyclists about cycling on the sidewalk:

– Always yield to pedestrians. Get off and walk your bike or put your foot down.

– Ride slowly.

– Always walk your bike through a crosswalk.

– Use a bell or horn to let pedestrians know you are there.

– Look for cars in driveways laneways and at intersections and be prepared to stop.

– Expect pedestrians to exit from stores.

Road Rules:

– Always ride with your hands on the handlebars.

– Cross at intersections. When you pull out between parked cars, driver’s can’t see you coming

– Walk your bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals

– Ride on the right-hand side of the street, so you travel in the same direction as cars. NEVER ride against traffic.

– Don’t ride too close to parked cars. Doors can open suddenly.

– Stop at all stop signs and obey street (red) lights just as cars do.

– Ride single file on the street with friends.

– When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their left side.

A bicycle is the smallest vehicle on the road. It is important therefore, for cyclists to be visible, to ride predictably, to know how traffic works, and to communicate with other road users.

Anticipating the traffic behaviours of cars, trucks, and even pedestrians, can go a long way to helping avoid accidents. It will also help to learn some hand signals. These are akin to turn signals and brake lights for bikers. It will help cars and trucks know what you will do next, so they don’t run into you.

A person operating a cycle on a roadway has the same rights and duties as a driver of a vehicle. Although there are certain sections under the Motor Vehicle Act specific to bicycles, for the most part the rules are the same.

There seems to be some confusion with respect to yielding to bicycles particularly at intersections and cross walks. Unless the cyclist dismounts and walks they are considered a vehicle and should be treated as such. If there is a stop sign a cyclist must stop and yield to the cross traffic. If they get off the bike and walk, the vehicles must yield to them as they are now considered pedestrians.

Traffic education for both cyclists and motor vehicles operators goes a long way in preventing collisions. For further information.

– Cpl. Chris Newel is with the Kimberley RCMP Detachment

Article Share