Displaying items by tag: Share the Road

Bicycling is one of the best ways to get exercise outdoors, yet bicyclists face many hazards when sharing the road with motor vehicles. National Bike Month is a great time to reacquaint yourself with bike safety before you head out for your next ride. 

Bicycling Safety Basics

1. Check Your Equipment. Make sure your seat is set at the right height for you and locked in place; properly inflate your tires; add a working horn or bell, a rear-view mirror, and a headlight.
2. Wear bright-colored clothing. Florescent, bright colors help others see you, especially in the shade during the day.
3. Use lights at dusk and at night. According to Massachusetts law, you must use a white headlight and red taillight or rear reflector if you are riding anytime from 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise. At night, you must wear ankle reflectors if there are no reflectors on your pedals.
4. Wear a Helmet. Massachusetts law requires that persons 16 years old and younger must wear a helmet. While adults are not required to wear a bike helmet, it offers head and brain protection in the case of a fall or crash. (Watch a helmet-fitting video below.)
5. Know the "rules of the road." Download the Mass.gov rules of the road for bicyclists and motorists driving in the presence of bicyclists. (Watch rules of the road video below.)
6. Ride at least three feet from parked cars. Stay outside of the "door zone" and protect yourself from getting hit by opening vehicle doors.

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

Now that Governor Charlie Baker has relaxed the stay at home order, more people are likely to take to the roadways on their bicycles. This may not be the best news for those behind the wheel -- the relationship between motorists and bicyclists is often contentious -- but since bicycles are classified as vehicles, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.

Before your next encounter with a bicyclist, get to know the rules of the road as mandated by the Massachusetts Legislature. (See: Rules of the Road for Bicyclists.) Guidelines from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's are includedas well.

Sharing the Road with Motorists

National Bike Month, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast, was established in 1956 to advocate for a bike friendly America, to showcase the many benefits of bicycling, and to encourage more people to try bicycling. Although this year's events are on hold due to coronavirus, the organization is encouraging people to get on bicycles and ride.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has relaxed the stay at home order, and bicycling is a great way to get out of the house as well as enjoy fresh air and exercise. However, a bicycle is classified as a vehicle, which means bicyclists riding on the roads must obey the same basic traffic laws and regulations that apply to motor vehicle operators.

Before you dust off your bike, fill your tires with air, and map your route, know the rules of the road.

Laws for Bicyclists and Motorists in the Presence of Bicyclists (as amended by Chapter 525 of the Acts of 2008)¹

According to Massachusetts Rules of the Road, Chapter 4, "Bicyclists have the right to use all public ways in this state except limited access or express state highways where signs specifically prohibiting bicycles have been posted. When riding on public ways, bicyclists must obey the same basic traffic laws and regulations that apply to motor vehicle operators. The rules for bicycles (including amendments) are listed [below]."