Ride smart: Bicycles Published July 12, 2012 By 341st Missile Wing safety MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- As published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bicycles in many states are considered vehicles, and cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as motorists. When overseas, be sure to follow the host-country laws in addition to on-base regulations. The following bicycle safety tips were taken from the NHTSA website at http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/kidsandbikesafetyweb/: · Go with the traffic flow: Ride on the right-hand side of the street lane in the same direction as other vehicles. Go with the flow of traffic - not against it. · Obey all traffic laws: A bicycle is a vehicle and the cyclist is a driver. When riding in the street, obey all traffic signs, signals and lane markings. · Yield to traffic when appropriate: Almost always, drivers on smaller roads must yield for traffic on major or larger roads. If there is no stop sign or traffic signal when coming from a smaller roadway (out of a driveway, from a sidewalk, a bike path, etc.), slow down and look to see if it is clear before proceeding. This also means yielding to pedestrians who have already entered a crosswalk. · Be predictable: Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars. Always signal moves to others. · Stay alert at all times: Use eyes and ears. Watch out for potholes, cracks, wet surfaces, storm grates, railroad tracks, or anything that could cause the loss of control of a bike. Don't wear a headset when riding. · Look before turning: When turning left or right, always look behind for a break in traffic, then signal before making the turn. Watch for left- or right-turning traffic. · Watch for parked cars: Ride far enough out from parked cars to avoid the unexpected (like doors opening, or cars pulling out). For more information on bicycle safety, visit the following websites: http://bicyclesafe.com/ http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/341.pdf http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/BikeSafetyforAdults.pdf http://www.livestrong.com/article/155740-adult-bicycle-safety/ http://www.bhsi.org/nhtsapam.htm