For Bicyclists:
· Bicycle helmets are mandatory. Make sure you are wearing an approved bicycle helmet that meets safety standards. It should be snug, but not uncomfortable. Don’t forget to snap that chin strap, a helmet will not help you if it comes off your head;
· Wear bright and reflective clothing, especially in the early morning and evening hours;
· Before use, always carry out an inspection of the bicycle:
– Tires – Are they inflated to an appropriate air pressure?
– Brakes – Do they work properly?
– Gears – Are they easily changed?
– Reflectors – Are they in place so that you can be seen from all directions?
– Chain – Does it need oil? Is it tight enough that it is unlikely to come off?
– Seat – Is it adjusted to the correct height?
· A bell, horn or whistle are recommended and should be in working order;
· Keep visual contact with other users of the road including motorists and pedestrians;
· Position yourself so other road users can easily see you. Do not weave in and out of parked cars. Remain on the travel portion of the roadway;
· Always visually clear an intersection before entering it, even if you have the right of way;
· Be aware of your surroundings. Remain alert at all times and never assume a motorist has seen you;
· When passing parked vehicles, be cautious of doors opening;
· Always signal your intentions. The use of hand signals take the guessing out of a driver’s mind;
· By law (BC Motor Vehicle Act), a bicycle operator must obey all traffic laws including:
– Ride with the flow of traffic (right hand side of the road);
– Stop at all stop signs and traffic lights;
– Do not ride on the side walk (except children or where signs are posted);
– Use a headlight and a rear light (red) between sunset and sunrise.
– For added safety, equip your bicycle with extra reflectors and rear-view mirrors.
Safety Tips and Practices for Drivers:
· Be on the lookout for bicyclists. This is the most important step in bicycle safety. If you are looking for them, you will probably see them;
· Always check your mirrors and over your shoulders before turning corners and before exiting your parked vehicle;
· Back out of driveways slowly and use your horn when your vision is obstructed;
· Be aware that some bicyclists don’t always follow the law and may be on the wrong side of the road or maybe traveling on sidewalks;
· Bicyclists may begin to access roadways from trails or pathways not known to the driver;
· Cyclists are not always visible, especially near sundown and sunrise or in bad weather. Slow down to the conditions and environment;
· Keep at least 3 seconds away from bicyclists. Bicycles can stop very quickly;
· When turning left, be careful not to underestimate the speed of an oncoming bicycle.
There will be many more bikes on the roads in Prince George than normal and there will be certain support “celebration” sites set up throughout the City for those riders to wheel in as part of the event.
You can register for the event at the Farmers Market on Saturday.
For more details on the actual Bike to Work/School week,
click here.
Comments
Forgot to add one to the cyclists list….stop using pedestrian controlled crosswalks to stop traffic to allow you to ride your bikes through the crossWALK.
WHY? Thats what your supposed to do on a bike.
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