Additional Safety

While Bicycling is very enjoyable, there are dangers and accidents can occur if one is not careful. By following all the safety rules and wearing the appropriate attire and protection gear, the dangers of bicycling are nearly eliminated. Here are some additional tips and rules to following while bicycling.

Rules of the Road

It is especially dangerous to bicycle against traffic. Motorists usually look for traffic moving in the legal direction of street travel; traffic moving in the other direction is easily overlooked. The law requires bicyclists in the street to ride in the same direction as cars. Statistics show this leads to fewer conflicts and fewer accidents.

Here are a few rules to follow when bicycling on the road:

First a biker must ride on the right with the flow of traffic.
A biker needs to yield to traffic in busier lanes. Busier lanes should be given the right of way and once clear, a biker can proceed. This includes using hand signals to indicate when one is about to switch lanes.
Try to ride in the right third of the lane furthest to the right.
Always use the bike lane (when available)
Follow the speed of traffic.
Allow a sufficient amount of room to maneuver to the right in case of an emergency
Never ride in poor road conditions (i.e.- glass and trash infested side lanes, construction zones, etc)
When lanes are narrow or the lane is blocked by a vehicle, signal early to ensure a safe merge with the other lane
Have a distance of 3 feet from parked cars and other objects
Avoid swerving whenever possible and ride in a straight line
Keep visible. This includes wearing bright colors and being predictable
Always obey all traffic signs, lights, rules and limits just like any other driver!

This and additional information about the rules of the road including commuter tips, rules for beginning and advanced cyclists, bicycle maintenance and other useful techniques can be found in the League of American Bicyclists website.

Here is an additional bicycle rules of the road handout that is provided by the Safe Walking and Pedaling (SWAP) NV.

Bicycling Hand Signals

The website by Watrous' Cycling Enterprises has some useful and clear pictures on how to appropriately signal when bicycling on the road. You can access the website by clicking here.

Sidewalk Riding

Bicycling on the sidewalk is unadvised and illegal in most cities, including business Reno. In the business districts Sparks, it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk if you are over 15. While biking in the sidewalks may seem safer than riding in the road, it really is not because of driveways, pedestrians and other unexpected objects that may be in the way. Here are two useful flyers provided by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC). You can access the first one here and the second one here.

Night and Dusk Riding

There several additional precautions that bicyclsts need to whenever they ride at night. These same rules should be applied at dusk, in the early morning, or whenever the weather is not clear (i.e.- cloudy weather). You can access this handout provided by RTC on how to properly and safely ride under these condtions here.