GOVERNMENT PG. 8 GV NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 2020
GOVERNMENT BICYCLE SAFETY AVOID A COSTLY MISTAKE Before you take to the road with your bicycle, it’s imperative to know and practice all the fundamentals of riding a bicycle. Did you know bicyclists are subject to the same rules, laws and regulations as motor vehicles? Ignoring rules of the road that regulate passing, riding abreast, use of hand signals, stop signs, and other etiquette will determine your fate on the roadway. If all else fails, always adhere to the lug nut rule: he who has the most lug nuts wins. In other words, a car will always win over a bicycle. So ride carefully and cautiously to avoid a costly mistake and a crash course in bicycling. • Always ride on the RIGHT. Remember to “go with the traffic flow.” Never ride against traffic. Cars will not be expecting to find a biker when they round a corner or go over a hill. • Ride single file. When passing other bikers or pedestrians, let them know your position by shouting something like, “On your left!” • When riding two abreast, do not impede the movement of traffic. If you are on a road with lanes, you must ride within a single lane. • Always check behind you when changing lanes. • Watch out for dangerous things on the roadways or on trails. Road litter, puddles of water, loose gravel, and storm gates can cause you to lose control of your bicycle. • Stop at all stop signs and traffic signals. Be extra careful at crossroads. Walk your bicycle across busy intersections. • Always signal before making a left or right turn. To make a left turn, look behind you, hold your left arm straight out and proceed carefully. For a right turn, hold your left arm out and up in an ‘L’ shape. • Keep control of your bike. Do not swerve or make sudden turns. Drivers may not be able to react fast enough to avoid colliding with you. • Ride at least three feet away from parked cars. Someone could open his or her door unexpectedly. • Listen for cars approaching from the side or behind you. • Do not follow cars too closely (you may be in their blind spot). • Know your road signs and obey them. A smart biker follows the rules of the road. • Always be prepared to stop. Keep your hands on or close to the brakes. • Do not forget to wear your helmet! And do not wear headphones; you will not be able to hear what is going on around you. For more information on driver, pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorcycle safety, please call the Greenwood Village Police Department at 303-773-2525. GV PEDESTRIANS: RULES OF THE ROAD TO PROTECT YOUR LIFE According to the U. S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2018, 6,283 people were killed in pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes, which was a 3.4% increase from the 6,075 pedestrian fatalities in 2017. Pedestrian deaths accounted for 17% of all traffic fatalities in 2018. This equates to a traffic-related pedestrian death every 84 minutes. Traffic and Pedestrian Signals: Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to drivers by obeying traffic signals, observing pedestrian signals and using crosswalks. The pedestrian signals are: WALK (Constantly Lighted): Pedestrians facing the signal may cross the roadway in the direction of the signal. DON’T WALK (Flashing): Pedestrians may not start to cross the roadway. Any pedestrian who has partly completed his cross may continue. DON’T WALK (Constantly Lighted): Pedestrians may not enter the roadway. Crossing a Roadway: Always cross the street at a designated crosswalk. Pedestrians must give the right-of-way to drivers. Within a Crosswalk: If a pedestrian is in the crosswalk, a vehicle has to yield. However, if a vehicle is 20 feet away from the crosswalk and traveling at 30 mph, the pedestrian must yield as the vehicle does not have enough time to stop safely. Intersections: Be careful at intersections, where drivers may fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians while turning onto another street. Joggers and Walkers: Joggers and walkers should use jogging paths when provided. On public roads, joggers should try to select wide roads with good shoulders. They should face oncoming traffic and remember to look and listen for cars. At night or anytime visibility is poor, joggers and walkers should be in well-lighted areas and wear reflective clothing. For more information, please call the Police Department at 303-773-2525. GV OCTOBER 2020 | GV NEWSLETTER PG. 9