Greenbike

Bike Safety

Bicycles are now treated as vehicles on your roadways.  Just knowing how to ride a bike isn't enough anymore. Learning to ride safely and legally is part of the experience. Most people do not know laws related to cycling, many people are afraid for their safety when riding on the road, and some don't understand that sharing the road is required.

This year the Green Bike program, along with the WSU Bike Polo Club, is offering bike safety clinics for WSU and the surrounding community.  Check back during the semester for times and locations.

To get you started, here are a few tips that will help any cyclist feel more comfortable on the road:

• Helmets are encouraged since they can protect your head if you fall, are hit, or strike an object/person while riding.
• Cyclist are considered vehicles so they must obey all traffic rules.
• When a bike path is not provided, bicycles are permitted to ride on sidewalks. However, the cyclist must move at a safe speeds and yield to pedestrians at all times.
• Lights are required after dark so other people and cars can see you.
• Use hand signals to notify others of your intentions. Motorists and pedestrians are not mind readers; let them know where you are going!

For more tips on bike safety visit the Washington State Department of Transportation, The Bicycle Safety Guide, and On the Road: Bicycle Safety.