BICYCLE SAFETY

 

Bicycling is freedom, mobility fresh air,seeing the sights, saving money
and staying fit, and it can be other things: being vulnerable to injury,
jockeying for position, second guessing everyone else on the roadway
and possibly even having an accident. In Ohio, an average of 3,000
bicycle-motor accidents are reported to law enforcement authorities.
In a recent year, 27 people were killed and another 2,791 were injured
in these types of accidents. Not included are the vast pool of collisions
with fixed objects, pedestrians, or other cyclist.

THE BICYCLE LAWS

1. Never ride on the freeway, or attach yourself to other vehicles using
    the roadway.
2. Ride only on the permanent attached seat of your bicycle. Don't
    carry passengers unless the bike is equipped for it, and don't carry
    parcels or other articles that would prevent you from keeping both
    hands on the handlebars.
3. Don't ride more than two abreast in a single lane, except on paths set
    aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. In some cases, riding two
    abreast is preferable to single file, because it prevents you from
    being sideswiped when the road pavement is especially narrow.
4. Every bicycle ridden after dark must be equipped with a white headlight,
    a red taillight and a red rear reflector.
5. Every bicycle must have an adequate brake.

VISIBILITY - Never assume you have been seen by the traffic around you. Become an expert at making eye contact with motorists. Increase your visibility with special apparel, and be bold about giving arm signals.

ROAD HAZARDS - Storm drain grates, soft road shoulders, loose sand, gravel or leaves, rocks and potholes are always hazardous to the cyclist. You must learn to anticipate them before you actually encounter them, and memorize the location of hazards you regularly pass.

PANIC STOPS - In an emergency, panic stopping is essential. You will have to
depress your front brake lever much harder than the rear one, and keep your
body low and back on the bike to avoid vaulting over the handlebars. When
the rear wheel starts to skid, ease off on the front brake. Learn to do this well
by practicing these stops at different speeds. This skill could be a lifesaver.

QUICK TURNS - This is what you do when you find yourself on the right
side of a right turning vehicle, when it was your intention to proceed straight
ahead. To avoid hitting the vehicle, briefly turn your wheel to the left, then
immediately turn a hard right, continuing around the corner with your inside
pedal up to avoid crashing. Don't brake until safely around the corner.

PARKED CARS - To avoid a collision with an opening car door, or a car
pulling away without signaling, never ride closer than three feet to a parked
car or row of cars. Ride in a straight line, without diving in between parked
vehicles.

BAD WEATHER - Be especially careful of slick pavement during a rain;
paint stripes are extremely slippery when wet. If it is absolutely necessary
to cycle in a storm, try to use less congested roads to minimize splashing
from passing traffic.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND APPAREL

Night riding is prohibited in Ohio unless a bicycle is equipped with the
proper lights and reflectors. All such devices should be bright, and all
clothing should be light-colored with reflective tape. You really can't overdo
making yourself visible to other traffic, so pedal and wheel reflectors are
also recommended. Head injuries are a serious problem for the unprotected
cyclist. Many deaths could be prevented, and the severity of injuries reduced
if cyclist made wearing a helmet a habit. A good hard shell helmet will be
light and cool, acts as a sun visor, and gives you another place for reflective
tape.

TRAFFIC LAWS

1. Ride with, NOT AGAINST, the other vehicular traffic. Only pedestrians
    are supposed to travel against traffic, and a cyclist isn't considered a ped-
    estrians unless walking his or her bike. Avoid Disaster: Ride with traffic, its
    the law.
2. Obey all traffic signs, signals and pavement markings. There is no excuse for
    running a stop sign or light or failing to yield the right-of-way.
3. Signal before turning or stopping, and use appropriate hand signals.
4. Ride as near the right edge of the roadway as is practical. Motorists can
    safely deal with you there by passing to the left when needed. It is permissible
    to move to the middle of the lane if you are traveling at the same speed as the
    rest of the traffic, or the lane is too narrow to share with a motor vehicle safely.
5. Left turns can be safely executed from the turn lane by making sure you
    establish eye contact with drivers around you before you change lanes.
    Return to the right lane as soon as you complete the turn . If traffic is too
    heavy to maneuver your bike through the lane changes safely, dismount
    and walk the bike in the pedestrian crosswalk.
6. Never pass other traffic on a hill or at an intersection. A cyclist should
    not pass another vehicle on either the right or left when both are in the
    same line.
7. Stop along the curb to allow emergency vehicles to pass.
8. Observe speed restrictions in school zones, and speed limits in general.

State law also permits local governments to regulate bicycle operation, such
as requiring bicycle licensing and registration. Cyclists must familiarize
themselves with local ordinances.

One of the most important things a cyclist must remember is how a bicycle
is viewed in the eyes of the law. Though your bicycle seems less substantial
than a car, the fact remains that it is considered a "vehicle" in Ohio's law
book. You must obey the same rules as motor vehicle operators.

In the City of Columbiana, bikes must be licensed through the Police
Department. You will need to provide the make, model, size, and serial
number of the bike you are licensing. This license is good for as long as
you own the bike. A fee of $1.00 is charged to cover the sticker fee.