Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"May 3, 2002
Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"
May
3, 2002
COMMUNITY SAFETY: Bicycle rules and regulations
Submitted by the USMA Safety Office
May 2002 is National Bike Safety Month, and it offers a great opportunity to reinforce safe bicycle operation by our community members.
According to the National Bicycle Safety Network, more than 85 million adults and children ride their bikes every year. During that year, more than 500,000 bicyclists of all ages sustain a cycling injury requiring emergency medical care.
Of the 800 cyclists killed annually, about 750 are killed in traffic crashes. More than half of the bicyclists riding in or near traffic, report feeling unsafe.
To manage the risks involved with cycling, please insure the following information is provided to all bicyclists in your family, unit, company, office, club, team and department.
- Obey All Traffic Laws! Bicycles are considered vehicles and must follow all traffic signs, laws and rules for operating a vehicle on the road.
- Be courteous to pedestrians and other vehicle operators.
- Never wear headphones while riding.
- All bicyclists are required to wear an American National Standard Institution or Snell Memorial Foundation approved helmet. Select a helmet that fits snugly and sits flat on the head.
- No bicycle shall carry more passengers at one time than the number for which it was designed and equipped. Small children may ride in a permanently affixed child carrier seat.
- Cyclists on the roadway shall ride as near as possible to the right side of the roadway. The safe way is the right way.
- Cyclists shall not ride more than two abreast.
- Adult cyclists shall not ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk when an adequate roadway exists.
- Every person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian.
- No person riding upon any bicycle shall hold on to or be pulled by any vehicle being operated on the roadway.
- Every bicycle used during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one half-hour before sunrise shall be equipped with a headlamp (in use) on the front and a red taillight or reflector on the rear.
- Every bicycle shall be equipped with operating brakes. Always control your speed by using your brakes. Always keep your brakes adjusted.
- All bicycles will be equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of 100 feet.
- All bicyclists or individuals operating toy vehicles will wear high visibility reflective vests/reflective clothing, during hours of darkness.
- No bicycle shall be parked upon a street, sidewalk, or against a building in such a way as to obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Stay alert and keep a lookout for obstacles in your path. Watch out for potholes, cracks, expansion joints, railroad tracks, wet leaves, etc.
- Check for traffic around you. More than 70 percent of car/bike crashes occur at driveways or other intersections. Always look in front and behind and signal your intentions before going left or right. Watch for traffic turning in front of you.
We must all share our community’s roadways and cooperate in an effort to reduce cycling hazards. If you have any questions contact the USMA Safety Office, Chip Graham, 938-3717.