Biking in Cortland County

Why is bicycling so important? Bicycling is a strong link in the chain of healthy communities. Cyclists travel at a slower pace, interact with neighbors, and experience their neighborhoods first hand. Bicycle commuting is a positive alternative to garage-highway-garage journeys that isolate commuters and clog roads. More cycling means less traffic, cleaner air and fewer accidents.

TOP 10 RULES FOR SAFE CYCLING

1. Cyclists, like motorized vehicle operators, must ride defensively and be aware at all times.

2. Cyclists should always ride single file, each following safety rules and signals independently.

3. Wearing light, bright clothing makes a cyclist much more visible.

4. Cyclists should use caution when riding at night. Reflectors, headlights, and backlights are necessary for night riding.

5. Cyclists should never wear headphones or use a cell phone while biking. These prevent you from hearing other sounds around you.

6. When approaching an intersection, cyclists must stop, look both ways, and signal.

7. Always use hand signals to show a left or a right turn and a stop.

8. Ride on the right side, with traffic.

9. Everyone should always wear a helmet. The law requires all children under the age of 14 to wear a helmet when bicycling or skate boarding.

10. Make sure your helmet fits properly. Front should be about an inch above eye brows, in center of forehead, securely clasped and snug under the chin. No baseball caps under the helmet.

 

TIPS FOR SHARING THE ROAD WITH BICYCLISTS

Bicyclists have the right to share the road and travel in the same direction as motor vehicles. They are often difficult to notice in traffic and have little protection from a traffic crash. Check your vehicle’s “blind spots” before you make a turn, parallel park, open a door or leave a curb. Don’t rely only on your rearview mirrors—turn your head to look for bicyclists, skaters and scooter operators who maybe alongside or approaching.

• Drive Cautiously. Reduce speed when encountering cyclists. Don’t tailgate, especially in bad weather. Recognize hazards cyclists may face and give them space.
• Yield to Cyclists. Bicycles are considered vehicles. Cyclists should be given the appropriate right of way. Allow extra time for cyclists to traverse intersections.
• Be Considerate. Scan for cyclists in traffic and at intersections. Do not blast your horn in close proximity to cyclists. Look for cyclists when opening doors.
• Pass with Care. When passing, leave four feet between you and a cyclist. Wait for safe road and traffic conditions before you pass. Check over you shoulder before moving back.
• Watch for Children. Children on bicycles are often unpredictable. Expect the unexpected and slow down. Don’t expect children to know traffic laws. Because of their size children can be harder to see.

TIPS FOR BICYCLISTS

• The same laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists. Obey all traffic control devices and use hand signals to indicate stops and turns.
• Always wear a properly fitting helmet. Wear a helmet, no matter how short the trip.
• Ride on the right. Always ride in the same direction as traffic. Use the furthest right line that heads to your destination. Slower moving cyclists and motorists stay to the right.
• Ride Predictably. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve in the road or between parked cars. Check for traffic before entering a street or intersection. Anticipate hazards and adjust your position accordingly.
• Be visible. Wear brightly colored clothing that provides contrast. Use a white front light in low light conditions and a red rear light in low light conditions. Use a reflector or reflective tape or clothing at any time. Announce yourself by making eye contact with motorists.

Ten Ways to Help Children Become Better Cyclists

1. Give your child only as much independence and responsibility as s/he can handle safely. Throughout childhood, children slowly develop the cognitive, perceptual and sensory skills necessary to be safe in traffic.

2. Remember that each child is unique. Do not base rules for one child on those for siblings, cousins or neighbors. Children of the same age may require different levels of supervision in traffic.

3. Evaluate your child’s behavior out of traffic. Is s/he impulsive? Does s/he stop to think before acting? Distractible? Can s/he sustain attention on something important? Is s/he a risk-taker? It is likely that you child’s behavior in traffic will resemble behavior out of traffic.

4. Consider any limitation your child has and how these might influence his or her behavior in traffic. For example, does your child have vision problems? Hearing impairment? Cognitive or judgment limitations? Physical handicaps?

5. Give your child practice in traffic. Frequent supervised experiences can help children developed good traffic safety habits.

6. Teach your child the rules of walking and bicycling safety as you encounter traffic situations. Ask your children to repeat rules back to you.

7. Do not assume you child will follow the rules just because s/he can verbalize them. Let your child lead you in traffic to help you assess how well s/he follows the rules. Set up situations with your child in which you shadow him/her (walk 10-15 feet behind) to allow semi-independence.

8. Grant independence in small steps to see how your child handles it. For example, let your child progress from playing in front of the house to playing on the block, to walking around the block, to crossing the street, etc.

9. Always model appropriate traffic safety practices yourself, whether you are walking, bicycling or driving! Children learn from important people around them.

10. Be a careful driver, watch for children who may not yet have developed good traffic safety habits. Their safety is in your hands.