The weather has officially changed to spring, and that may mean hopping on your bicycle for a ride.  Cycling is a healthy, fun, and eco-friendly way to travel, but sharing the road with cars can be dangerous if proper safety precautions aren’t taken. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for safely sharing the road with cars and bicycles.

1. Always wear a Helmet.  A helmet is the most important piece of safety gear you can wear while cycling. A helmet can protect your head from serious injury in the event of an crash. Make sure your helmet fits correctly and is worn low on your forehead, covering your forehead.
2. Stay Visible. To stay safe on the road, you must be visible to drivers. Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night or in low light conditions. Use lights, reflectors, and/or reflective tape on your bike to help drivers see you from a distance.
3. Follow Traffic Rules. Bicycles are considered a vehicle on the road and must follow the same rules as cars. This means stopping at stop signs and red lights, yielding to pedestrians, and signaling your turns. Follow the flow of traffic and ride on the right-hand side of the road. If riding with a group, do not ride more than two bicycles out.  If a car is approaching, drop back to single file if you can.
4. Be Aware of Your Surroundings. Always be aware of your surroundings and anticipate potential hazards. Watch for cars turning or pulling out of driveways or parking spots. Stay alert for pedestrians crossing the street or drivers opening their car doors.
5. Use Bike Lanes. If there is a bike lane on the road, use it! Bike lanes provide a safe space for cyclists to ride and separate them from cars. Follow the same rules as if you were riding on the road, but stay within the bike lane. If you are in a car, do not drive in a bike lane.
6. Avoid Distractions. Avoid using your phone or other distractions while riding your bike. Stay focused on the road and your surroundings to avoid accidents.
7. Don’t honk. If you’re in your car and see a bicycle on the road, do not honk at them, or startle them. I may scare a cyclist and cause them to lose control of their bike, causing an accident.
8. Give bicycles plenty of room. If you have the space to do so safely, change lanes, or veer into another lane to avoid cyclists on the road.

Just remember spring is a great time to enjoy the fresh air on a bicycle.  We can share the road safely and prevent accidents between a car and a bike.  Stay safe and ride responsively.