MAY IS BICYCLE SAFETY MONTH

As we end May-the Bicycle Safety Month- and enter the Memorial Day Weekend and the “unofficial” start of Summer please remember bicycle safety, for tips on prepping your bike for summer, correctly fitting a helmet, and rules of the road, please visit:   http://www.nhtsa.gov/Bicycle

Americans are increasingly bicycling to commute, for exercise, or just for fun. By law, bicycles on the roadway are vehicles with the same rights and responsibilities as motorized vehicles. Whether riding our bikes or driving in our cars, we must all share the road, and keep in mind the Pennsylvania Bicycle Safety Act, some key points are:

• Bicycles must be operated in the right hand lane, or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.

• This does not apply to a bicycle using any portion of the road due to unsafe surface conditions.

• Motorists must overtake a bicycle with no less than four feet between the vehicle and the bicycle and must do so at a prudent speed.

• No turn by a motorist may interfere with a bicycle proceeding straight.

• Bicycles must be operated at a safe and reasonable speed.

Pennsylvania drivers and bicyclists should be aware of and adhere to these safety rules in order to safely share the roads. They are designed to make bicycle travel safer and reduce the risk of traffic collisions.

Riding a bicycle is more than a fun and healthy family activity. Besides being a great way to exercise many people also use bicycles to commute to work, go to the grocery store, or to visit friends.  Drivers, please always remember, that bicyclist you are sharing the road with, or sometimes cut off, or cut it too close, is someone’s mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter.