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Cycling 101: How to avoid collisions with cars

The Forde Files No. 165

Tina Fisher Cunningham, Fisher Forde Media | Mar 17, 2018
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With the installation of more bike lanes in the greater Tehachapi area and the growth of participation in the Tehachapi GranFondo event, an increasing number of bicyclists are sharing the road with motorized vehicles. Cyclists obey the same traffic rules as motor vehicles, including stopping at all stoplights and signs. To be safe, riders need to be aware of their surroundings and be able to anticipate where trouble might arise. Forde Files here reprints a series of graphics and information titled "How not to get hit by cars" from BicycleSafe.com by Michael Bluejay, who allows the material to be reprinted when it is provided free, as in the Loop. See the web site bicyclesafe.com for additional information.

 

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Motorists and cyclists are in this together

Tina Fisher Cunningham, Fisher Forde Media

Drivers of motor vehicles and bicycle riders have equal obligations to ensure the safety of both themselves and others on the road. Under the California Vehicle Code, bicycles and motor vehicles have equal rights to use the roadways. The code (Article 4, section 21200) says: “A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicab upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division, including, but not limited to, provisions concerning driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs...” Nevertheless, a cyclist who is riding slower than the normal flow of traffic moving in the same direction is required to ride as far to the right as possible. Cyclists may use freeways only when no other route is available and signs are posted at on-ramps.