A bicyclist on a roadway or paved shoulder has all of the rights and responsibilities that apply to a driver of a motor vehicle.

• Always wear a helmet.
• Bicyclists must keep to the right of the road. They should ride as close as is practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the road except when passing another vehicle, when preparing for a left turn, or when avoiding unsafe conditions.
• Know and obey traffic regulations, signs, signals and markings.
• Choose to ride on a route with few cars, slow traffic and easy intersections.
• Cycle defensively; keep an eye out for the “other guy”.
• Always stop and look left-right-left before entering the road.
• Cycle with traffic, not against it.
• Ride single file.
• Don’t carry passengers or items that interfere with your control.
• Never hitch onto motor vehicles.
• When moving from one lane to another, always look back first and yield to traffic.
• At busy corners, you may want to walk your bike like a pedestrian, especially when making a left turn.
• Use hand signals. Hand signals tell motorists what you intend to do.

Hand Signals

Use your left arm for signaling. Proper signaling is as follows:

• Right Turn: upper arm straight out parallel to the road, forearm and hand straight up and perpendicular to the road.
• Left Turn: arm straight out and parallel to the road.
• Braking: upper arm straight out parallel to the road, forearm and hand straight down and perpendicular to the road.

Bike Helmets Save Lives

A helmet is the most important safety equipment that a bicyclist can have.

• Buy only approved helmets that carry the SNELL and/or ANSI stickers inside.
• White, yellow or brightly colored helmets make you more visible in traffic and can help you avoid collisions.
• Wear a helmet every time you bicycle, even for short distances.
• Play it smart. Play it safe.