Bike Law Education Poster
Thread started by
tortuga_veloce at 06.21.09 - 9:45 pm
im designing a poster for the LAPD. here's what i have so far.
if you can think of anything you'd like to teach a cop, post it here!
if you have any pictures that illustrate these points, post them here!
also, if anyone has any insight or direct quotes relating to street-width standards, that would be a great addition.
-------------------
WHAT DOES LADOT SAY ABOUT RIDING IN TRAFFIC?
Bicyclist Etiquette: How to Ride with Cars
Bicyclists on public roadways assume all the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers, and are subject to the same state laws and local ordinances. For everyone's safety observe these bicycling rules:
Ride with traffic.
Stop at all stop signs and red lights.
Use lights and reflectors at night.
Ride as near to the right as safely possible.
Use hand signals to indicate your intention to drivers.
Follow lane and highway markings. As if you were a vehicle, ride single file.
Don't block the road by riding two bikes abreast.
Honor others' right of way.
Be predictable; ride in a straight line even with parked cars.
Children under 18 must wear a helmet.
Value your life: Wear a helmet!
Make eye contact with motorists to make sure they see you.
WHAT DOES THE DMV DRIVER HANDBOOK SAY ABOUT CYCLISTS?
Safety Tips for Bicyclists and Motorists (FFDL-37)
Each year in California, more than 100 people are killed and hundreds of thousands more are injured in bicycle collisions. Some bicycle related crashes that result in an injury or death are connected to the bicyclists’ behavior, while others are due to motorists’ lack of attention.
• Bicycle riders on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, and are subject to the same rules and regulations. Refer to the California Driver Handbook to become familiar with these rules.
• Motorists must look carefully for bicyclists before turning right, merging into bicycle lanes, and opening doors next to moving traffic. Respect the right-of-way of bicyclist because they are entitled to share the road with you.
Ride With Traffic
Ride in the same direction as the traffic next to you. This will make you more visible to drivers entering roads or changing lanes because they will know where to look for possible conflicts. On a one-way street, you may ride on the left as long as you are riding with traffic.
How Far to the Right?
Ride on the right, but not so far that you might hit the curb. You could lose your balance and fall into traffic. Do not ride too far to the right:
• When avoiding parked vehicles or road hazards.
• When a traffic lane is too narrow for a bicycle and vehicle to travel safely side by side.
• When making a left turn.
• To avoid conflicts with right-turning vehicles.
Hazards
Keep your eyes on the road ahead. Avoid running over potholes, gravel, broken glass, drainage grates, puddles you can’t see through, or other unsafe road conditions. Look over your shoulder to avoid swerving suddenly into traffic. When possible, signal before changing lanes.
Parked Vehicles
Bicyclists should ride far enough away from parked vehicles to avoid being hit by an opening door.
When to Take the Traffic Lane
If there is no shoulder or bicycle lane and the traffic lane is narrow, ride closer to the center of the lane. This will prevent motorists from passing you when there is not enough room. You should also take the traffic lane when you are traveling at the same speed as the traffic around you. This will keep you out of motorists’ blind spots and reduce conflicts with right-turning traffic.
Motorists Passing Bicyclists
Be patient when passing a bicyclist. Slow down and pass only when it is safe. Do not squeeze the bicyclist off the road. If road conditions and space permit, allow clearance of at least three feet when passing a bicyclist.
Obey Traffic Signs and Signals
Bicyclists must obey STOP signs and red signal lights. It’s a good idea to stop for yellow lights too—rushing through a yellow light may not leave you enough time to make it across the intersection before the light changes.
Left Turns
There are two proper methods for making a left turn on a bicycle:
1. Using Traffic Lanes
As you approach the intersection, look over your left shoulder for traffic. If clear, signal your turn and move over to the left side of the lane, or into the left or center turn lane. You should be positioned so vehicles going straight can’t pass you on the left. Yield to oncoming traffic before turning. If you are riding in a bicycle lane, or on a multi-lane road, you need to look and signal each time you change lanes. Never make a left turn from the right side of the road, even if you’re in a bicycle lane.
2. Using Crosswalks
Approach the intersection staying on the right. Stop and either cross as a pedestrian in the crosswalk, or make a 90 degree left turn and proceed as if you were coming from the right. If there is a signal light, wait for the green or WALK signal before crossing. Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
FFDL 37 (NEW 2/2008)
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY ABOUT BICYCLES IN THE ROADWAY?
Do bikes have an equal right to the road?
Bikes are required to follow all the same laws that cars follow and have the right to all public roads at all times. Bikes are also allowed to make maneuvers that cars aren't allowed to do.
Laws Applicable to Bicycle Use: Peace Officer Exemption
21200. (a) Every person riding a bicycle 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, and by Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000), Section 27400, Division 16.7 (commencing with Section 39000), Division 17 (commencing with Section 40000.1), and Division 18 (commencing with Section 42000), except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application.
Are bikes allowed on the sidewalk?
In Los Angeles, bikes are allowed to ride on the sidewalk, but not recklessly. Los Angeles also prohibits riding on the Venice Boardwalk.
LAMC SEC. 56.15 BICYCLE RIDING – SIDEWALKS
1. No person shall ride, operate or use a bicycle, unicycle, skateboard, cart, wagon, wheelchair, rollerskates, or any other device moved exclusively by human
power, on a sidewalk, bikeway or boardwalk in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
(Amended by Ord. No. 166,189, Eff. 10/7/90.)
2. No person shall ride, operate or use a bicycle or unicycle on Ocean Front Walk between Marine Street and Via Marina within the City of Los Angeles,
except that bicycle or unicycle riding shall be permitted along the bicycle path adjacent to Ocean Front Walk between Marine Street and Washington Boulevard.
(Amended by Ord. No. 153,474, Eff. 4/12/80.)
Is it safer to ride on the sidewalk?
No, riding on the sidewalk is more dangerous, although this is a very common misconception. Cyclists riding on the sidewalk are at greater risk of being struck by cars exiting driveways or making right turns. Sidewalks are also designed for walking, not for wheeled vehicles. Riding on the sidewalk is 1.8 times more likely to result in an accident than riding on the roadway.
"The average cyclist in this study incurs a risk on the sidewalk 1.8 times as great as on the
roadway, and the result is statistically significant (p<0.01).”
Wachtel and Lewiston, “Risk Factors for Bicycle-Motor Vehicle Collisions at Intersections,” ITE J.,
Sept. 1994, [http://www.bicyclinglife.com/Library/Accident-Study.pdf]
But doesn't the CVC say that bikes must obey all rules of the road?
There is no law expressly permitting bikes to ride on the sidewalk, although the CVC does mention bikes that ride on the sidewalk.
"Bicycles operating at night must be equipped with "A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway,
sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle."
The "Cheater Book" vs. The Law:
What does the "Cheater Book" say about cyclists' place in the roadway?
"21202 BIKE-SLOW MOVING Ride as near the right hand curb or edge of the roadway as practicable. EXCEPTIONS: May use left on one way street."
This is close, but it’s missing several important phrases. Slow-moving bicycles may use the full lane in any of the following situations:
When overtaking and passing
When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to…objects,…surface hazards, or substandard width lanes--a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
LADOT has their own summary, which may be of some use to you:
Use of the Roadway (CVC 21202) Bicycles traveling slower than the normal speed of traffic must ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable except: when passing, preparing for a left turn, to avoid hazards and dangerous conditions or if the lane is too narrow.
When operating in the roadway, cyclists....
SHOULD use the full lane when the road is narrow. Cyclists must also keep a safe distance from parked cars; opening doors can be deadly. If a car has just enough room to squeeze past with inches to spare, this is a substandard lane and the cyclist has the right to use the full lane.
SHOULD use the full lane when there are a lot of potholes or cracks in the road. Swerving to avoid a pothole can be deadly when you don't have sufficient room on each side of you.
SHOULD use the full lane when approaching a place where cars may turn right. If a car is making a right turn, you should always pass them on the left.
SHOULD ride in the road, NOT on the shoulder. Broken glass, rocks and storm grates can be deadly. It's safer to ride in the street.
ARE NOT required to ride in an empty parking space. Swerving in and out of parking spaces is the best way to get rear-ended on a bike! Taking the lane forces motorists to respect cyclists.
ARE NOT required to ride on the shoulder, although it is legal for them to do so.
ARE NOT required to ride on the sidewalk or in the crosswalk, although it is legal for them to do so.
ARE NOT required to "go around the block" to make a left turn, although they are allowed to do so.
Does a bicycle constitute "traffic?"
Yes, the term traffic includes bicycles, streetcars and ridden animals--everything except pedestrians.
Traffic
620. The term "traffic" includes pedestrians, ridden animals, vehicles, street cars, and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any highway for purposes of travel.
What if the bicycle is travelling slower than traffic?
If a bicycle is impeding traffic, they must operate in accordance with the slow moving bicycle law, CVC 21202 and the slow moving vehicle law, CVC 22400(a), in accordance with CVC 21200.
Minimum Speed Law
22400. (a) No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law. No person shall bring a vehicle to a complete stop upon a highway so as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the stop is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
Operation on Roadway
21202. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right- hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
(b) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway of a highway, which highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable.
Amended Sec. 4, Ch. 674, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.
Which is similar to the law pertaining to slow moving vehicles, such as garbage trucks…
Slow-Moving Vehicles
21654. (a) Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(b) If a vehicle is being driven at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time, and is not being driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, it shall constitute prima facie evidence that the driver is operating the vehicle in violation of subdivision (a) of this section.
(c) The Department of Transportation, with respect to state highways, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may place and maintain upon highways official signs directing slow-moving traffic to use the right-hand traffic lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or preparing for a left turn.
Amended Ch. 545, Stats. 1974. Effective January 1, 1975.
I see cyclists with these tiny little headlights. Are those legal?
Bicycles are required to have a headlight that illuminates the highway, sidewalk or bikeway and is visible from 300 feet. It is not necessary for the headlight to be as bright as a car headlight. CVC 21201(d)(1)
Does the light have to be attached to the bike?
No. The light may be attached to the operator. CVC 21201(e)
Do cyclists need to have a rear light?
No. A red reflector is all that's necessary, although more lights are always a good idea. CVC 21202 (d)(2)
Equipment Requirements
21201. (a) No person shall operate a bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(b) No person shall operate on the highway (1) a bicycle equipped with handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate his hands above the level of his shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
(c) No person shall operate upon (2) a highway a bicycle that is of a size that prevents the operator from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground, and restarting it in a safe manner.
(d) (3) A bicycle operated during darkness upon a highway, a sidewalk where bicycle operation is not prohibited by the local jurisdiction, or a bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, shall be equipped with all of the following:
(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.
(2) A red reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
(3) A white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet.
(4) A white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of the bicycle, and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles that are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with these side reflectors.
(e) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle, may be used in lieu of the lamp required by ( ) 4 paragraph (1) of subdivision (d).
What about bike lanes? Do cyclists always have to use them?
A cyclist in a bike lane is required to follow most of the same rules as a cyclist operating on the right side of the roadway. Cyclists are only required to ride in the bike lane if they are moving slower than the speed of traffic and when the bike lane is free of potholes, objects and parked cars.
Permitted Movements from Bicycle Lanes
21208. (a) Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway pursuant to Section
21207, any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride within the bicycle lane, except that the person may move out of the lane under any of the following situations:
(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle, vehicle, or pedestrian within the lane or about to
enter the lane if the overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane.
(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(3) When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous
conditions.
(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
(b) No person operating a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 22100) in the event that any vehicle may be affected by the movement.
What about helmets? Do all cyclists have to wear them? What about a passenger in a trailer?
No. Children under 18 are required to wear helmets when operating a bicycle or riding in a trailer. Adults are free to risk their lives, although wearing a helmet is always a good idea.
Youth Bicycle Helmets: Minors
21212. (a) A person under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard, nor shall they wear in-line or roller skates, nor ride upon a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or standards subsequently established by those entities. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.
Do cyclists have to ride in the same direction of traffic?
Cyclists operating on the side of the roadway or highway shoulder are required to travel in the same direction of traffic. There is no law requiring this of cyclists operating on the sidewalk, although cyclists operating on the sidewalk are more at risk of accident than any other group.
Bicycle Operated on Roadway or Highway Shoulder
21650.1. A bicycle operated on a roadway, or the shoulder of a highway, shall be operated in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway.
When crossing the street on a bike path, are cyclists supposed to behave as pedestrians or as vehicles?
Bicycles are required to obey all traffic signals, unless a bicycle-specific light tells them otherwise.
Transportation: Bicycles: Traffic Signals
21456.2. (a) Unless otherwise directed by a bicycle signal as provided in Section 21456.3, an operator of a bicycle shall obey the provisions of this article applicable to the driver of a vehicle.
(b) Whenever an official traffic control signal exhibiting different colored bicycle symbols is shown concurrently with official traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights or arrows, an operator of a bicycle facing those traffic control signals shall obey the bicycle signals as provided in Section 21456.3.
Shouldn't bicycles have to pull over and let cars pass?
Only on streets with one lane in each direction, where passing is only possible
Turning Out of Slow-Moving Vehicles
21656. On a two-lane highway where passing is unsafe because of traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions, a slow-moving vehicle, including a passenger vehicle, behind which five or more vehicles are formed in line, shall turn off the roadway at the nearest place designated as a turnout by signs erected by the authority having jurisdiction over the highway, or wherever sufficient area for a safe turnout exists, in order to permit the vehicles following it to proceed. As used in this section a slow-moving vehicle is one which is proceeding at a rate of speed less than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and place.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MOTORISTS
In spite of the best efforts of cyclists to assert themselves in the roadway, many motorists get frustrated and threaten cyclists.
How do I know when a car passes a cyclist unsafely?
Many states have passed laws making 3 feet the minimum distance to pass a cyclist. Unfortunately, California law is not so clear, although it is safe to say that passing with much less than three feet would certainly be considered dangerous. Since you can't spot a bicycle's brake lights, sudden changes in hand position or a sudden shift in weight can give you clues that a cyclist has just been cut off. With a careful eye, you can spot dangerous passes and save lives.
Overtake and Pass to Left
21750. The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle or a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left at a safe distance without interfering with the safe operation of the overtaken vehicle or bicycle, subject to the limitations and exceptions hereinafter stated.
reply
-->
Ridazz Roulette!
