Drive Right, Cycle Right
(June 2002)
June is Bike Month so this is a good time to remind all road users to share the road safely. These safety tips, courtesy of ICBC RoadSense, highlight some of the things that motorists and cyclists can do to make travelling safer for everyone.
Drive Right
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Passing a Cyclist Allow at least one metre of clearance between your vehicle and a cyclist when passing.
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Passing a Car When a cyclist is in your lane or is coming toward you in the opposite direction on a two-lane street, avoid passing a vehicle if both vehicles and the cyclist would meet at the same time.
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Left Turns When turning left across the path of an on-coming cyclist, allow ample clearance for the cyclist to pass by you safely. Be aware that many cyclists travel at speeds of 30 km/h or more. Be alert for cyclists who may be hidden by other traffic.
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Right Turns Check your right blind spot before making the turn. After passing a cyclist, be aware that the cyclist may have caught up with you and could be proceeding straight through.
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Lane Positioning Expect cyclists to vacate right-turn only lanes when going straight through an intersection. Expect cyclists to turn left in the same way cars do by signalling and moving left before the intersection.
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Bicycle Helmets Helmets are mandatory in BC and can prevent up to 85 % of serious injuries, which account for up to 80 % of all bicycle-related deaths.
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Rules of the Road Cyclists have the same responsibilities on the road as motorists and must follow the same rules and regulations as drivers.
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Be Visible Use a headlight and a red rear light between dusk and dawn. Additional reflective material on fenders, pedals and clothing is a good idea, too. Avoid riding in motorists blind spots.
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Be Predictable Ride in a straight line as much as possible. Dont weave in and out of traffic. Always ride on the right side of the roadway.
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Use Signals Always signal your intentions to change lanes, stop, slow down or turn.
07.16.04 14:38
