Share the Road! Safety Guidelines for Bikes and Cars around Oxford

By Kate Rousmaniere, Mayor of the City of Oxford

To the editor:

With the fine fall weather and everybody back at school, there are a lot more bicycles on the road -- all the more so because of the bike lanes on Spring Street, Rt. 27 S., McGuffey Ave and Wells Mills Dr., and the multi-use paths along Patterson Ave.

This is a good time for everyone to review standard laws for bicyclists and cars, which share most traffic laws.

First, both cyclists and car drivers must obey traffic signals and stop signs, and they should ride on the right side of the road. Riding on the left is illegal and dangerous for cars and bikes alike.

This holds true for cyclists on the bike lanes who must follow all traffic signals and stop signs --and yes, that even means on the Spring Street bike lanes. Both bikes and cars can earn a traffic citation by running a stop sign.

Second, per Ohio law, bicyclists may ride on sidewalks in certain areas, but it's not a good idea. Accident studies show that even low-speed sidewalk riding has about double the accident rate as riding on the road. The danger increases with speed. If you ride on the sidewalk, every intersection and driveway is a potential collision site. Motorists crossing your path do not look for conflicting traffic on the sidewalk, especially if you are coming from the wrong way.

I should note, bicyclists are prohibited from riding on sidewalks in the Oxford Uptown area.

Third, the rules for turns are exactly the same for bicycles as for other vehicles -- merge to the appropriate position (right for right turns, left for left turns), yield to any traffic that has the right of way and then turn. For cyclists, getting into position for a left turn may involve merging across lanes of traffic. If traffic is heavy, cyclists should start doing this early to take advantage of gaps in traffic.

Make sure you are visible to all cars as you move into the turning lane, use hand signals indicating your turn and try to make eye contact with drivers of cars. Beginning cyclists may want to make pedestrian-style turns instead by dismounting and walking the bicycle through the intersection.

Like car drivers, bicyclists should never turn or change lanes without first yielding to any traffic that has the right of way and should give a signal if possible.

In addition to legal guidelines, cyclists should follow general best practices.

Bike Lanes

A bicycle lane is a designated traffic lane for bicyclists, and only bicyclists are permitted on that lane. No moving or parked cars are permitted on bike lanes, even temporarily "double parked" cars.

Bicyclists must ride in the bike lane only in the same direction as other traffic. Riding against the flow of traffic is against the law and greatly increases your chances of having a crash, especially at intersections where pedestrians and crossing traffic are unlikely to see you.

Safety Tips for Bikes

Be safe. Wear a bike helmet!

Be predictable: make your intentions clear to motorists and other road users. Ride in a straight line and don't swerve between parked cars. Signal turns, and check behind you well before turning or changing lanes.

Be Visible: ride where drivers can see you and wear bright clothing. When riding in the dark or twilight, cyclists should always use both a headlight and blinking taillight. Many cyclists also use a blinking taillight in the daytime. Lights, reflectors, and bright colored biking shirts and tunics are available at any bike shop.

Anticipate: consider what drivers, pedestrians, and other bicyclists will do next. Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of parked cars. Look out for debris, potholes, and utility covers. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.

Safety Tips for Cars

When driving on a road with bike lanes, keep your eyes out for cyclists who might be turning at an intersection onto a road without a bike lane.

Pay attention to the "sharrows" signal on the road, which, like the "share the road" signs, means that bikes will be on the road.

Move to the center of the road when passing a cyclist.

Don't honk at a cyclist as it could scare the cyclist into a fall. If you want to gain a cyclist's attention, tap your horn lightly.

After parking your car, look carefully in your rearview mirror before opening your car door so that you do not injure a passing cyclist.

Drivers might consider turning their head lights on, to make it easier for cyclists to see you coming, both ahead and in their rearview mirrors.

For more information, see "Walking and Bike Tips" by the City of Oxford Community Development Department http://www.cityofoxford.org/departments/community-development

Oxford's local bicycle shop, Bike Wise, located at 9 North Beech St. http://bikewiseoxford.com/

523-4880, sells new and used bikes and a lot of bike safety equipment including helmets and lights.

Share the road!

Kate Rousmaniere is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, the Mayor of the City of Oxford and a bike enthusiast.

rousmak@miamioh.edu

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