Bicycle Safety
TIPS
Always wear a helmet; according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, wearing a helmet will reduce your chances of a serious injury by 85%.
| Be alert and ride defensively: |
- Expect the unexpected. When riding, scan the roadway for cars, pedestrians and other unexpected hazards such as potholes, glass, and landscaping that may limit visibility.
- When riding through intersections, move to the through-lane and avoid the right-hand turn lane. Be cautious of turning vehicles and don't ride to the right of a right-turning vehicle.
- Be predictable: follow the rules of the road, always ride with the flow of traffic, and use appropriate hand signals to communicate to motorists and pedestrians your intentions.
- Travel on streets with bike paths or ride on multiuse paths. Scottsdale and Maricopa County have an extensive bike path system, take advantage of it.
- Be wary of parked cars. Ride a few feet to the left to avoid suddenly opened car doors.
- Use common sense: Be aware of your strengths and limitations when riding. Don't put your life in danger with careless riding.
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Be prepared:
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Always carry water, ID, and a little cash (coins in particular).
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Keep your bike in good repair. Routine maintenance is a must.
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Have a tool kit that includes tire levers, a spare tube, a patch kit, and a hand pump. Learn to fix a flat and repair a tube if you don't already know how.
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Lock your bike securely. Secure both wheels and always use a bike rack.
Be Alert Be Prepared Be Predictable Be Safe
LAWS
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According to the Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28-812, the same traffic laws that apply to motor vehicles also apply to people riding bicycles. Therefore cyclists are required by law to: |
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Ride with the flow of traffic
Yield to traffic before entering the street from a sidewalk
Obey all traffic control signals including red lights and stop signs
Use a headlight and a rear reflector at night |
(For the complete Arizona Bicycle Law Provisions, see Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Sections 28-811 through 817. At this link you will find Title 28. The sections are in numeric order so simply scroll down to 28-811 which is the first section in Operation of Bicycles. Here you can click on the sections you wish to review.)
The City of Scottsdale has adopted an ordinance governing multiuse paths. If you will be riding on a multiuse path such as Indian Bend Wash, here are a few important things to remember:
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A cyclist upon a multiuse path shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian.
Refrain from entering any portion of the multiuse path when it is flooded or contains standing water
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Occupy only the right half of the multiuse path
Give an audible warning signal (e.g. voice or bell) in sufficient time to allow response before passing any user.
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Obey all instructions of any traffic control device, warning sign, or pavement marking
(These are the highlights, for the complete text please see Scottsdale Revised Code, Chapter 17.)
Page maintained by Colleen O'Neill feedback welcomed.
Last Update: 4/7/08 |
