Bicycle Safety
According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), bicycles on the roadway are, by law, vehicles with the same rights, and responsibilities as motorized vehicles. NHTSA’s bicycle safety program focus is on research, education, and enforcement of bicyclists’ and motorists’ behavior to enhance roadway and bicycle safety and reduce bicycle injuries and fatalities in our nation.
In regards to Texas Motor Vehicle Laws, bicyclists using city streets during a ride must follow all traffic rules just like a motor vehicle. This includes stopping and yielding at signs, yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks and displaying proper illumination (front & back of bike). This also includes riding with the traffic flow on designated “one way” streets in designated bicycle lanes. Even Lance Armstrong couldn’t keep up with the flow of traffic in this state. And, using turn signals (hand signals…and, no, not the finger). Bicyclists must use hand signals to signal their intent to stop, turn left, or turn right.
Proper Hand Signals:
- Stop – Extend the left hand and arm downward
- Left Turn – Extend the left hand and arm horizontally
- Right Turn – Extend the left hand and arm upward, or extend the right hand and arm horizontally
People That Do Not Use Their Turn Signals or Blinkers
Well, if you just watched the video you will see how the general public really doesn’t know what to do. I ride a bike and drive a car and know the importance of hand signals. Seriously, your life or someone else’s life can depend on them.
There are actually 9 hand signals that bicycle riders use. If you are riding your bike on the roads it would be a good idea to learn all 9 of them. Some are as simple as alerting riders of loose gravel or dirt on the road, and others are more important…like stopping.