Bike safety tips from the League of Illinois Bicyclists, www.bikelib.org
T R A N S P O BIKERight
R Tis a A
T I O N
H E A L T H
R E C R E A T I O N
15-18 hour program,
activity you can enjoy for a lifetime ... if
you do it right!
based on the League of American
Bicyclists foundation Road I course,
covering everything you need to know
about on-road bicycling - the safest
Always ride on the right, with the traffic flow.
cycling choice for commuting
and
You’ll be more visible to cars and safer, esperecreation.
cially at intersections. And—it’s the law.
Lane positioning
Intersection positioning
Avoid you or a car cutting the other off. At
intersections without turn lanes:
Sidepath bicycling
Other
Be aware of the intersection conflicts and visibility problems that often make biking on
sidepaths (trails along roads) and sidewalks
less safe than on-road cycling! This is true
especially on roads with lots of side streets,
commercial entrances, and other driveways.
Status on roads—By state law, bicyclists are
granted all the rights on the road and are
subject to all the rules for car drivers. Traffic
laws apply to cyclists—ignoring them hurts
our public perception! Cyclists fare best when
we act and are treated like other vehicles on
the road. For example, wait for and take your
turn when you have the right-of-way.
1) when clear,
merge into the
left part of the
lane to turn left;
2) to goFor
straight,
many of us, bike safety training
ended at
Many right-turning
Don’t hug the road edge—
move out a bit
cars
(Car
B) stop
leave some room to avoid
balancing
a
bicycle.
Those
who
learn
more,
ride with
into the lane—to
Riding Side-by-Side—Riding two abreast is
Brief Course Outline:
past the stopline or
Controlling a narrow lane in downtown Ferguson
hazards. Don’t allow cars to
prevent right turn
permitted as long as the normal and reasonmore
confidence,
in
more
places,
with
a
much
better
only
look
to
their
squeeze by dangerously in
cutoffs; 3) stay
able movement of traffic is not impeded.
left.
Bike
2
might
narrow
lanes—force
right forsafety
a right record.
4. When
approaching
a place
wherethe
a right turn
ession 1: 5-6 hour classroom and bike check for fit and mechanical condition
and preliminary
be
seen,
but
Bike
1
passing situation that it is.
turn.
n-road exercises on quiet street or parking lot.
is authorized.
Use
eye
contact to communicate with drivers.
is much
less
likely
In very wide lanes (below),
Wear a helmet—your brain
to beSignal
seen. your intentions.
out a bit
further to
5. When riding on amove
one-way
highway
with two
is worth protecting! Adjust
ession 2: 5-6 hour on-bike, starting with 1 to 1-1/2 h on the parking lot [riding in a straight line/ remain visible to cars.
or more marked traffic lanes. Here, bicyclists
You may also make a “pedestrian-style” left
for a level, snug fit:
Even if Bikes 1 & 2
canning behind/hazard avoidance techniques]. Street ride, starting on low-trafficked streets and
turn. Go straight through the intersection,
1) EYES—should see helmet
are seen by rightmay
ride
as
near
to
the
left-hand
curb
or
orking up with me leading and students rotating into #2 position behind. stop, turn your
bike left
90 degrees,
thenfrom the left side as
Signals
shall
be given
edge when you look up
turning
Car A, who of
Bicyclists
have
all
the
rights
and
responsibilities
edge of such roadway as practicable.
proceed as if you were coming from the right.
2) EARS—straps should form
has the right-offollows:
Your
brain is worth
protecting!
other road users. Your actions affect
a “Y” just
under your ears
(ILCS
5/11-1505)
ession 3: 5-6 hour on-bike, starting in parking lot [hazard avoidance exercises].
Street
ride same
way isthe
not public’s
always
3) MOUTH—straps
loose
Adjust
for
a
level,
snug
understood.
Try
to
oute as before but with me in #2 position and students rotating into #1 position to receive one-onopinion
of cyclists.
For your bicycling safety and toenough for afit.
Left turn - hand and
arm extended
horizontally.
finger between
make1.
eye Eyes
contact,
ne coaching.
should
see
helmet
edge
buckle and jaw, but tight
do your part to share the road, read
state’s traffic
and the
be defensive.
If there are Right turn - hand and arm extended upward,
enough
that the helmet pulls
when
you
look
up.
laws at www.bikelib.org/education/laws.htm
Riding
two abreast
is
any turn
down on top your head when
ve been teaching adults and older children for 10 years and have gradually
improved
my
except bicyclists may extend the right hand
To turn
Car C - straps
2. left,
EARS
should form a “Y”
lanes,
ride
in
you open your mouth wide
permitted
as
long
as
the
looks ahead on the
structional methods and materials over that time. I've found that it takes at least 15-18 hours to
and
arm
horizontally
and
to
the
right
side
of
the rightjust
under
your
ears.
road for a gap in
over the material thoroughly. I can handle a large classroom class if space
permits
but
when it
normal
and
most lane the bicycle.
Ride reasonable
in a straight
traffic,
then
accel3.
MOUTH
straps
loose enough for a finger
omes to the on-bike sessions class size is limited to 4 students per instructor,
soline.
each
student
going to your
dodging
movement
ofAvoid
traffic
is
erates during the
See, be and
seenjaw,
and be
Use lights at
between
buckle
butheard.
tight enough
destination. Stop or Decrease of Speed - hand and arm
nrolling will get plenty of personal attention.
between parked cars.
turn. Again, the
not impeded. Riding
night or in poor visibility. A white headlight
bike
going
in the
thethe
that
helmet
pulls
down
on
top
of
When riding on roadways and bicycle paths
Riding
two
abreast
is
permitted
as
long
as
normal
and rear red reflector are requiredyour
by law.
extended downward.
more
than
two
Also,
lookabreast
inside
same direction as
Fees:
Ferguson
residents
$60,speed,
non-resident
with $10 discount
for each
additional
Flashing
lights are
especially
head
when
you open
your
moutheffective.
wide. Use
at less
than normal
traffic
ride as$80,
close
parkedexcept
cars before
and
reasonable
movement
of
traffic
is
not
impeded.
the
adjacent
cars
is
prohibited
family member. Classes by arrangement, usually on Saturday and/or passing.
Sunday. Especially if
bike reflectors, reflective clothing, and a bell.
Signal not less than the last 100 feet before the
(Bike 4) might be
as practicable and safe to the
onlocal
paths
or see
parts
of or
Location: Classroom session in my home; on-bike instruction on
roads.
you
a driver
seen, but you’re
turn,
and
while
bicycle
is
stopped
waiting
to
turn.
curb or$12
edge
of theor League Guide to Safe Cycling $18roadways
can’t
avoidfor
the
right-hand
Student Notebook
[33 pages]
[128 pages]
setsee,
aside
less visible against
Signals need not be given continuously if the
Be predictable—signal your intentions. Also
“door zone”—the 4
roadway except:
the flow
(Bike 3).proficient at looking over your shoulder
Become
the exclusive
use
of
bicycles.
use eye contact to communicate with drivers.
feet along
parked
hand is needed
Anticipate when
For1.
more
information:
Please
Bicyclists
Cycling
When
overtaking
andcontact Martin Pion, League of American
without swerving. Consider
cars where doors
(ILCS 5/11-1505.1)
Car C will turn and
Instructor,
6
Manor
Lane,
Ferguson,
MO
63135.
in
the
control
of
LEFT
RIGHT
may suddenly open.
passing another bicycle or
getting aSLOW/STOP
rearview mirror.
assume you have
Tel: 314/524-8029 fax 524-8129 <[email protected]>
operation of Keep
the right, pass on
not been seen.
Leave three feet of space when passing a
vehicle proceeding in the
Checking
traffic
in
back
of you
the left. Announce
bicycle. intentions to pass.
bicycle. It’s the law!
same direction; or
can help you blend better with
Some of the illustrations herein are copyMove off trail when
(ILCS 5/11-806)
2. When preparing for a left turn; or
the flow of traffic.
righted by Wordspace Press, and may not be
In each case above, cyclists biking legally on
stopped. Yield to
used without the written permission of
the right side of the road are within the view
3. When reasonably necessary to avoid
other
users
as
shown
Wordspace Press (www.wordspacepress.com,
areas of the turning motorists.
on left.
773/292-0932).
Safe Riding Skills
Beprecede
predictable—ride in a straight line. Learn
Classroom presentations
to look
parking lot practice and how
cycling
on behind
local you without swerving.
streets, working up from residential to
more trafficked roads.
Know the Laws
Safety
Bicyclists have all the rights and
responsibilities of other road users.
Your actions affect the public’s
opinion of cyclists. For bicycling
safety and to do your part to share
the road, read and obey Illinois
traffic laws.
Hand Signals
Be Predictable
Know the Laws
Wear a Helmet
Cars Passing Bikes
Riding Side-by-Side
Lane Positioning
Be Predictable
Trail Etiquette
Left
Scanning Behind
Stop
Right
Parental Responsibility
fixed or moving objects, parked or moving
vehicles, bicycles, motorized pedal cycles,
pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or
substandard width lanes that make it unsafe
to continue along the right-hand curb or
edge. A “substandard width lane” means a
lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a
vehicle to travel safely side by side within
the lane.
Illinois law states that
a parent or guardian
shall
not knowingly
www.bikelib.org/education/tips.pdf
permit a child to
violate the laws
governing bicycle use.
(ILCS 5/11-1501)
Use eye contact to communicate with drivers. Signal
your intentions.
See, Be Seen, and Be Heard
Use lights at night or in poor visibility. Flashing lights
and reflective clothing are very effective. Use a bell.
Bicycles are for transportation,
B Iyou K
E the
too! When
can, leave
car at home and bike to work,
transit, or errands. It’s an
efficient way to fit exercise into
your schedule. Feel better and
save $$$.
C O M M U T I N G
Illinois State Police
Jonathon E. Monken, Director
Bike Safety
Learn commuting tips at
www.bikelib.org/commute
BICYCLES ARE FOR
Bike Safety Tips
Bike
Shops
TRANSPORTATION
TOO!
Typical Crashes Involving Child
Bicyclists
Illinois has more than
150 specialty bike shops
which have bikes to suit
everyone. The shops have
the experience and parts
bicyclists’
traffic violations disturb
toAlthough
keep your
bike rolling
and even anger some motorists, they are
plus accessories —
usually not the major causes of crashes with
helmets,
jerseys,
shorts, motorists have
motor vehicles.
Nonetheless,
shoes
and
Find
a shopfor
nearest
to you at
no right
to more.
intimidate
bicyclists
riding in
the road, where they have a legal right to be.
www.bikelib.org/shoplist
Most are caused by
the bicyclists, such as
riding out of a residential
driveway, alley or side
street without first looking,
failing to stop at stop signs
or traffic lights, and making
left turns without first
looking over their shoulder
for approaching traffic and
signaling. With training,
these crashes can be
prevented.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Typical Crashes
Involving Adult
Bicyclists
8.
No Justification
for Intimidation
Everyone gets where they’re going safely
when everyone shares the road and shows
patience and courtesy.
See,
Be Seen,
and Be
Heard
Use lights at night or in
poor visibility. Flashing
lights and reflective clothing
are very effective. Use a
horn or bell to be heard.
Most are caused by
motorists, such as failing
to yield when making
turns in front of bicyclists
and failing to yield at stop
signs and traffic lights.
The exception: bicyclists
riding against the flow of
traffic. By sharing the road,
observing traffic laws,
and being patient and
courteous, these crashes
can be prevented by
motorists and bicyclists.
State of Illinois
Pat Quinn, Governor
5.
6.
7.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Wear a helmet at all times.
Obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals.
Keep to the right side of the roadway.
Keep brakes, lights, reflectors, horn or bell, and
all safety devices in good working condition.
Learn and use hand signals for turns and
stops.
Follow the Rules of the Road, but ride
defensively.
Avoid riding after dark. If you must ride after
dark, the bike must have a headlight and
taillight or reflector.
Do not speed, race, or weave in and out of
traffic.
Do not carry passengers or large packages.
Never hitch on to a truck, car, or other moving
vehicle.
Keep both hands on the handle bars, except
to signal a turn or stop.
Be cautious and ride defensively.
If needed, dismount and walk the bike across
dangerous intersections or streets.
Never squeeze into narrow places or between
two vehicles.
Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois
ISP Central Printing Section
Printed on Recycled Paper
ISP 5-35 (3/09) 50M
www.illinois.gov www.isp.state.il.us
Organized Rides
Bike clubs and charities
sponsor annual rides
for the public. The
rides have maps,
marked courses of
varying distances,
rest stops with snacks
and drinks and SAG
vehicles to support
the bicyclists. Ride
with hundreds of other
bicycle enthusiasts,
typically on quiet rural
roads. For a listing of
one-day rides or weekState Police
long tours, goIllinois
to
www.bikelib.org/ridelist