OREGON Bicyclist Manual 2000
This booklet was prepared to help adult bicyclists and parents of younger bicyclists understand how to ride safely and legally on the streets, roads and highways of Oregon. This manual condenses and paraphrases language in the Oregon Revised Statutes. It also provides safety advice not included in the law. This manual is not a proper legal authority to cite and should not be relied upon in a court of law.
CONGRATULATIONS! Bicycling is an inexpensive and efficient form of transportation for short trips around town. By riding a bicycle, you are helping everyone by reducing traffic congestion, wear and tear on our roads and the need for more roads and parking. You are keeping the air clean and neighborhoods quiet, while saving petroleum. You are improving your own health and well-being through regular exercise. You have a right to ride your bicycle on Oregon’s roads, streets and highways.
PRINCIPLE #1: MAINTAIN CONTROL OF YOUR BICYCLE There are many things you can do to control your bicycle, even in an emergency. First, make sure your bike is the right size and adjusted to fit you properly. The right size bicycle is easier to control and more comfortable, causing less fatigue. Your local bike shop can help you choose the right size bicycle for you. Make sure your bike is in good working order. You should inspect it regularly.
Mountain bikes and hybrids are easier to handle than many older bikes. They are wellsuited for city riding thanks to their upright sitting position, modern gear shifters and brakes, rugged construction and maneuverability. This cyclist has lights, fenders, luggage rack and helmet To improve your riding skills, practice in an area away from cars. Learn to ride while looking ahead, to the sides and over your shoulder (this is needed to check for traffic before turning).
HOW FAR TO THE RIGHT YOU SHOULD RIDE Riding on the right doesn’t mean hugging the curb or edge of the road. This may not be the best place to ride. For example, if you hit the curb, you could lose your balance and fall into traffic.
Ride in a straight line This will make you more visible to motorists. Don’t weave in and out of parked cars – you may disappear from motorists’ sight and get squeezed when you need to merge back into traffic. right wrong Don’t weave in and out of parked cars Riding side by side You and a companion may ride side by side on the road, but only if you don’t impede other traffic. If traffic doesn’t have enough room to pass you safely, ride single file.
Obey traffic signs & signals Stop at STOP signs and red lights. It’s the law to stop for a yellow light too, and it makes good sense - rushing through a yellow light may not leave you enough time to make it across the intersection before the light changes. Useful tip: Downshift before stopping at an intersection. This will help you cross the street more easily when you start again. Stop at red lights and stop signs Making a left turn There are several ways to make a left turn on a bicycle: As a vehicle.
Turn lanes When you approach an intersection with several lanes, choose the one with the arrow pointing where you want to go. You may get cut off by turning cars if you’re in the wrong lane. If there is a straight through bike lane, use it only if you’re going straight ahead. If you can’t make it across traffic to the correct lane, use the crosswalk instead. Choose the correct lane Use hand signals when turning Signal before making a turn to warn traffic behind you.
Passing other vehicles Pass on the left. Only pass a vehicle on the right if it is signaling a left turn, or if you are in a dedicated travel lane, including a bike lane. You may pass on the right in a bike lane, but do so cautiously. Some drivers may want to turn right at the next driveway or street. They may not see you if they aren’t looking your way. Ride at a reasonable speed, and scan carefully for right-turning cars (see drawing below).
PRINCIPLE #4: PROTECT YOURSELF Even very careful riders can fall or get hit by a motorist. And even a simple fall can injure your head. The brain is very fragile and often does not heal like broken bones. The damage can be for life. Helmets provide proven protection. It’s Oregon law: all bicycle riders under sixteen must wear an approved bicycle helmet while riding on a public way. In the past, helmets met voluntary standards like ASTM, Snell, or ANSI.
At intersections, stay on the road. Don’t ride in the crosswalk and suddenly reappear on the road again. A driver, thinking there is no one there, may lose sight of you, turn the corner and hit you. Alternating between riding on the road and riding in a crosswalk is confusing to drivers Never ride against traffic Wrong-way riding is against the law. It’s one of the leading causes of crashes, accounting for 15% to 20% of all crashes with cars.
behind, and a sense that looking at on-coming traffic will prevent crashes. In reality, bicyclists are rarely hit from behind. The biggest danger of riding the wrong way is at intersections: you may not be seen by drivers entering, crossing or leaving the roadway. They are expecting traffic coming from the other direction, not a wrong-way cyclist (see figure on previous page).
Most bicycles contain enough metal to trigger the light, but you should know where the most sensitive spots are. Look for cut lines in the pavement, filled with tar. Depending on the shape, the most sensitive spots are: How to trigger loop detectors 1. Diamonds: just inside one of the points. 2. Rectangles: up front, in the middle. 3. Circles: about 1/4 of the way in.
Walk your bike in downtown areas: they are busy with people walking out of doorways, stopping to talk to each other or window shopping. Many cities ban bikes from their downtown sidewalks. Walk your bike on downtown sidewalks Riding on paths Paths are wider than sidewalks, but you should still ride cautiously. Ride on the right and yield to pedestrians. Be especially careful when crossing a road. When crossing a driveway or street, slow down and be sure drivers see you.
STATEWIDE AND LOCAL BICYCLE MAPS OREGON ALBANY/LINN COUNTY Oregon Bicycling Guide Oregon Coast Bike Route Map 355 Capitol Street N.E., Room 210 Salem, OR 97301-1354 Tel: (503) 986-3556 Free Albany/Linn County Bicycle Map Albany Public Works Dept., 333 Broadalbin St. SW, Albany, OR 97321 Tel: (541) 917-7777 E-Mail: rirish@ ci.albany.or.us $4.
