Get your bike out of the garage, brush the dust off, oil those chains and get ready to pedal your way to a healthier, more active lifestyle all month long! When riding, cyclists need to be safe so let’s take a second and review the basic rules of the road for riders.
According to ODOT, riders must use the rightmost lane that heads in the direction they are traveling. Riding against traffic is illegal and increases the risk to riders. Motorists can avoid rear-ending cyclists riding with traffic more easily and adjust their speeds to the cyclists and avoid coming in contact with them.
Make sure to wear a helmet at all times when riding your bike to a destination. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “A properly fitted bicycle helmet reduces the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent, and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent.” A properly fitted helmet sits flat on the top of your head and sits an inch above your eyebrow. No matter how dorky you may think you look, wearing your helmet is an important rule to protect yourself from head injuries while riding.
When riding, riders must use their left arm to notify drivers of their intentions on the road. Pointing your left arm straight out to the left signals a left turn. When turning right, point your right arm straight out to the right. To show a rider is stopping, he or she must point their left arm down at a 90-degree angle. Using these signals will alert the motorists you are sharing the road with and make your riding experience safer.
Now that we understand the basic rules of the road for riders, it’s time to put them into action! The whole month of May is National Bike Month so brush the dust off your bike and take a ride today! Going for a bike ride can help you get active and start being a healthier you. There is no better way to celebrate National Bike Month than to participate in National Bike to Work Week. Reduce gas emissions from our atmosphere and break away from the boring, everyday commute! Come celebrate with us and your fellow co-workers May 11-15 and enjoy a different kind of commute to work.