October Newsletter

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