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Lane Positions for Bicycles
Bicyclists are required to ride as far right in the lane as
possible only when a car and a bicycle, side by side, can safely
share the lane. Even then, there are certain times when a
bicycle can take the full lane.
A bicyclist should be allowed full use of the
lane when:
• The rider is overtaking and passing
another vehicle going in the same
direction.
•
If the lane is marked and signed (as
shown at right) for bicycle use only, drivers must
NEVER use this lane as a turning lane, passing lane
or for parking.
• There are unsafe conditions in the roadway, such as
parked cares, moving vehicles or machinery, fixed
obstacles, pedestrians, animals, potholes or debris.
• The lane is too narrow for both a care and a bicycle to
safely share the lane. In this case it is safest to let the
bicycle take the full lane.
Safety Tips for Bicyclists
Bicycles are the most vulnerable of all vehicles on the road. As
a bicyclist riding in traffic or on the sidewalk, you should take
extra precautions to protect yourself. Vehicles on the road,
especially large trucks and buses, may not see you on your
bike. Crossing the street or making a turn can be dangerous in
traffic if others do not see you or your signals. The tips below
can help keep you riding safely.
PROPER LIGHTING
Tennessee law requires that a bicycle used at night must be
equipped with a lamp on the front that emits a white light
visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and
either a red reflector or lamp emitting a red light that is visible
from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of
lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
Consideration should also be given to placing reflective
material on the frame of the bicycle to provide additional side
and front visibility of the bicycle in low-light conditions.
Riders are also encouraged to wear bright clothing with
reflective material on both the helmet and clothing.
WEAR YOUR HELMET
Before you get on your bike, put on a helmet. It is the best
thing you can do to be safe. Bikes offer no protection in case
of a crash, so you need to wear your protection. Wearing your
helmet may save your life if you are hit by or run into a large
truck or bus. Remember, riding into a truck is equivalent to
hitting a steel wall. Your helmet is your life.
BIKERS BEWARE
Always be aware of the traffic around you. This is especially
important when riding in traffic with large trucks and buses.
Trucks and buses make wide right turns. Never sneak in
between a truck or bus and the curb or you could get crushed.
Never assume that all drivers see your hand signals or will
yield for you. Assume you are invisible to other road users and
ride defensively.
CHECK YOUR BRAKES
Always check your brakes so that you are prepared to stop.
Also remember that a truck requires more space to stop than
you do on your bike. Never assume that a truck will be able to
stop quickly if you get in the way. You may have to get out of
the way to save your own life.
RIDE WITH TRAFFIC
Avoiding a crash is the safest way to ride. Ride on the right
side, with the flow of traffic. Riding against traffic may cause
you to miss traffic control devices, such as traffic signs and
stop lights. Be especially careful when riding near or around
trucks and buses. Use caution and pay attention to trucks.
Watch for their signals because the driver may not see you or
be able to stop soon enough in an emergency situation.
However, you should to be prepared in case the truck’s signals
don’t work or the driver doesn’t use them. That is why you, as
the bicyclist, need to watch out for yourself. For a bike rider,
the safest bet is to always be aware of the traffic around you.
BEWARE OF THE NO-ZONE
Beware of riding too closely to a large truck. Large trucks
have blind spots in the front, back and on the sides, which
make it difficult for the driver to see around them. If you ride
in these blind spots, truck drivers cannot see you and your
chance for a crash are greatly increased.
To learn more specifics on bicycle riding and safety contact:
The League of American Bicyclists
1612 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006
202-822-1333
Research shows that two-thirds of car-motorcycle collisions
are caused, not by the motorcyclist, but by the driver who
turned in front of the motorcycle. The drivers didn’t see the
motorcycles at all or didn’t see them until it was too late to
avoid the collision.
Why Drivers Don’t Always See Motorcyclists
Drivers tend to look for other cars and trucks, not for
motorcycles. The profile of a motorcycle is narrow and the
body is short, making it harder to see and making it harder for
a driver to estimate the cycle’s distance and speed.
Motorcycle riding requires frequent lane movements to adjust
to changing road and traffic conditions.
Motorcycles have the right to the use of the full lane. Riders
need the lane’s full width to respond to and handle hazards
such as potholes, shifting traffic blocking them from being
seen or strong winds or blasts of air from passing vehicles.
You must never try to share a lane with a motorcycle, and you
should always respect the cycle’s space and position in traffic.
SHARING THE ROAD WITH MOTORCYCLES