Drivers and Cyclists: What you need to know

By Jeff Cole (April 2008)

With fuel prices soaring and warm weather approaching, many Oklahomans are dusting off their old bicyles and enjoying a bike ride to work or school. Cyclists and drivers will find themselves sharing the road on a daily basis.

Every day in Oklahoma, automobiles and bicycles share the streets. Often the operators of these vehicles (automobiles and bicycles) are unaware of the laws in place to protect both parties. Cyclists may travel on the wrong side of the street, or a driver of a car may improperly pass a cyclist on a narrow street. Here are some rules of the road for cyclists and drivers from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.

For Cyclists:

1. Most Important: NEVER ASSUME DRIVERS WILL SEE YOU AND YIELD FOR YOU. You are not as visible as a large car. Exercise caution when drivers appear to be entering your lane from intersecting streets or driveways. Though not required by law, wearing bright colors or reflective clothing and a helmet is always a good idea.
2. Always ride on the right side of the street (with traffic), and keep as far to the right as possible while maintaining safe operation. Do not ride on the left side and oppose traffic! This is terribly unsafe and could get you killed.
3. Observe all traffic laws. Stop at stop signs and signal your turn or your stop with hand/arm signals.
4. Stay in the right hand lane unless you need to leave a “right turn only” lane or if you need to get to a left turn lane. Just be sure to make safe lane changes and signal them.
5. If riding on a street or highway with a traffic speed much greater than your speed, use the shoulder if one is available.
6. Never ride at night without proper lights and reflectors.

For Drivers:

1. Cyclists are bound to the same rules you are, and they have just as much right to the street as you have.
2. When passing a cyclist in your lane, you must give the cyclist at least three feet of space. If a narrow street is congested with oncoming cars and you cannot get far enough to the left to give the cyclist three feet, you will have to continue to follow at a safe distance until you can safely pass. If you have an additional lane, you should completely change lanes to maneuver around the cyclist, just like you would another driver.
3. When stopping at a crosswalk, stop BEFORE entering the crosswalk and do not proceed forward until your light turns green or it is your turn to proceed. Cyclists become pedestrians when they leave the street and enter the crosswalk at an intersection as they arrive at their destination. The crosswalk belongs to pedestrians, not drivers – stay out of there.

What it all comes down to is respect and courtesy. In the days ahead we are sure to see a lot more people riding bicycles and walking. If we can just remember the golden rule (do unto others...), we will all be be able to share the road safely.