Bicycle and Wheel Sport Safety

Bicyclists are more likely to be seen by other drivers if they behave like drivers. To help avoid a crash and be a responsible cyclist you should be:

Predictable

  • Drive your bicycle with traffic, not against it.
  • Ride as close to the right side of the road as you safely can. Use the shoulder or the bike lane rather than the road whenever it is safe to do so. It's the law!
  • Use hand signals when about to make a turn.
  • Obey traffic signs and signals.
  • Don't cling to other vehicles.

Seen

  • Don't assume a driver has seen you. Establish eye contact or adjust your activity to make sure they are aware of your presence.
  • Use a headlight and taillight when driving at night. Use front and rear reflectors, spoke reflectors and pedal reflectors.
  • Wear light colored clothing and add reflective material to increase your visibility at night.
  • Use your horn, bell, and/or voice to communicate your presence to other motorists sharing the road with you.

Careful

  • Whenever possible, avoid road construction, congested two-way streets, and complicated intersections.
  • Keep your bicycle's tires, brakes and safety equipment in good working order.
  • Know your limitations and your bicycle's limitations.
  • Look behind you and all around. The more you observe other vehicles and pedestrians around you the safer you will be.

Smart

  • Wear a helmet! Required for age 14 and under but beneficial for all!
  • Avoid distractions. Don’t bike and use a cell phone. If using a portable audio device, only one earphone can be worn while biking. 
  • Young children in the 10-14-year-old age group are at the highest risk. They have a field of vision 1/3rd narrower than adults; are unable to determine the directions of sounds; cannot accurately judge speed or distance of moving vehicles; overestimate their own abilities; are easily distracted; and tend to focus on one thing at a time.

Informed

In the event of a bicycle crash resulting in a fatality or serious injury, it is required that a written accident report be filed with the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of the crash. Should the injured operator be physically incapable of submitting the report, they must submit it when they have sufficiently recovered. If the operator of the bicycle is a minor, his or her parent or guardian must make the report within 10 days of learning of the crash.