Ten Best Practices to Safely Ride Your Bike

 

There is a bicycling revolution going on around the world and Tahoe is no exception.  Each year we see increasing numbers of people choosing to ride their bike for errands and to more intimately connect with people, places and activities that make Tahoe such a unique community to live in and a destination to enjoy.

 

As bicycling increases in popularity so too increases the frequency of unlawful practices and at-risk behaviors being exhibited by bicyclists on the roads each day.   Maybe you too are unfamiliar with the lawful ways to share the roadway and be safe while riding your bike.  Here are ten essential practices and laws that the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition strongly encourages you to adopt before law enforcement or injury disrupts your great day of riding your bike.

 

1.   Keep your bike properly maintained.  Before the beginning of your ride make certain your brakes and gears work properly and your tires are inflated.  Carry along a spare tire tube and patch kit, know how to use it, and have an air pump in the event of a flat tire.

 

2.   Wear a helmet.  In the State of California all persons under the age of 18 years must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle - it's the law.

 

3.   Ride in the same direction as traffic flow.  Do not ride against the traffic direction as it is illegal and highly dangerous.  Motorists look at oncoming traffic in preparation of entering the same lane and do not see a bicyclist traveling against traffic flow.

 

4.   Stop at all stop signs and red traffic lights.  You and the bicycle are a vehicle with the same rights and responsibilities as an automobile.  Obey all traffic laws.

 

5.   Use proper hand signals when turning, stopping, or changing lanes.  This alerts other road users of your intentions.

 

6.   Ride in a straight line and in a single file.  Riding in a straight line conveys more predictability of movement and fosters understanding by other road users that you are confident and in control of your bike.  Most roads do not have enough width to safely ride side by side.

 

7.   Use lights (white in front and red in back), reflectors, and reflective clothing during darkness.  Lights and reflectors are the law during bicycling at night.  Be seen and be safe.

 

8.   Ride to the right if you are moving slower than other traffic, unless you are turning left, passing another bicycle or vehicle, or avoiding hazards.

 

9.    Do not impair your senses by wearing headphones on both ears or riding your bike while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  These activities can produce unsafe conditions and lead to DUI citations.