Bike Etiquette and Common Sense
Introduction |
Our Public Roads are for Sharing |
IV. Motorist Etiquette Regarding Bicyclists
From the California Driver Handbook
SHARING THE ROAD WITH OTHER VEHICLES: BICYCLES
Bicycle riders on public streets have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers. Drivers of motor vehicles must treat bicycle riders the same as drivers of other motor vehicles. Bicyclists are not out of place on the roadway -- they are part of the traffic and share the road with other drivers. They must obey stop signs, traffic lights, and most other traffic laws and signs. Special care must be used near them because any accident with them will probably result in serious injury. This means that automobile drivers must leave safe passing room and must not turn so close to them that the bicyclist is in danger of being hit.
Although bicyclists will normally ride near the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, they can legally move left to turn left, to pass another vehicle or bicycle, or to avoid debris or parked cars. They may have to swerve to avoid a car door suddenly opening. Expect any of these moves by bicyclists in a main traffic lane. Remember, on one-way streets, this can be the left hand lane.
When the lane is too narrow to pass a bicyclist safely, wait until the next lane is clear and give the bicyclist all the rights of any other slow moving vehicle.
A motorist parked at a curb must not open a door on the traffic side of a vehicle without looking for other vehicles, including bicycles or motorcycles.
Bicycle riders may give right turn signals with their right arm held straight out, pointing right. Remember, bicycles are small and sometimes drivers do not see them.
Note that the two most common misconceptions of motorists
are assuming that roads were built for cars only,
and that bicyclists are not paying their way.
Our public roads are for shared use-->
Conceived, compiled and edited by: Joe Breeze, MCBC Advisory Board. Questions or comments to the author: joe@breezerbikes.com, or the MCBC
