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.
