Before getting started
• Always wear a properly fitting helmet,
no matter how short the trip. The helmet must cover most of the
forehead sitting close to the brow
Sharing the Road
• The same laws that apply to motorists
apply to cyclists
• Obey all traffic control devices
• Use hand signals to indicate stops and
turns to other users
Ride on the Right
• Always ride in the same direction as traffic
• Use the furthest right lane that heads to
your destination
• Ride at least 3 feet from parked cars to
avoid being hit by opening doors
Ride Predictably
• Ride in a straight line
• Don’t swerve in the road or between
parked cars
• Check for traffic before entering street
or intersection
• Anticipate hazards and adjust your
position accordingly
Be Visible
• Wear brightly colored clothing or reflective
material that provides contrast
• Use a white front light and a red rear light
in low light conditions
• Always use a reflector
• Announce yourself by making eye
contact with motorists
Obey, Obey, Obey
• Cyclists, just like motorists, must obey
all traffic control devices
• It takes longer to travel through an
intersection on bike; plan to stop for
yellow lights
• Avoid cars that run red lights by
waiting for the signal to turn green and
scan to make sure it’s clear
• Detectors use magnetic forces to pick
up vehicles, not weight
If a signal is unresponsive in most states,
after three minutes, you can treat a red light
as a stop sign
• Pass through a red light only as a last resort
• Yield to other vehicles while crossing
the roadway
Sharing the path
• Respect others on the trail and be sure to
yield to slower users
Do not block the trail, if you are riding
with a group plan to regroup completely off
of the trail
Keep right
• Stay as close to the right as possible, except
when passing
• Give yourself enough room to maneuver
around any hazards
• Ride single file to avoid possible collisions
with other trail users
Pass on left
• Scan ahead and behind before announcing
your intention to pass another user
• Pull out only when you are sure
the lane is clear
• Clearly announce “On your left”
when passing
• Use a bell, horn or
voice to indicate your
intention to pass
• Warn others well in advance
so you do not startle them
• Allow plenty of room, about two bike
lengths, before moving back to the right
Use lights at night
• Most trail users will not have lights at
night; use a white front and red rear light
• Watch for walkers as you will
overtake them the fastest
• Reflective clothing does not help
in the absence of light