Stay Safe When School Starts: Tips for Biking and Driving

--- Published on July 22nd 2014 ---
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Natomas streets soon will be filled with bicyclists and motorists traveling to local campuses each morning for the start of a new school year. But disaster can strike quickly when people are careless, unsafe, or fail to share the road.

Nothing is more important than the health of our students and community, which is why Natomas Unified handed out thousands of school-bus yellow reflectors last year for students to attach to their backpacks to improve their visibility on streets.

California has adopted a new state law, effective Sept. 16, requiring motorists to pass no closer than 3 feet from a bicyclist traveling in the same direction. Legislation alone won’t ensure safety, however, so we urge students and motorists to abide by the following tips:

            BICYCLISTS

  • Wear a properly fitted helmet
  • Take off headphones to avoid distraction
  • Beware of hazards, such as road debris or cars exiting driveways
  • Ride on right side of the road, not against traffic
  • Obey all traffic signs and signals
  • Don’t weave in and out of traffic or parked cars
  • Use hand signals before making turns
  • When passing through an intersection, look for motorists in all directions
  • Stay far enough away from parked cars to avoid getting hurt or having to swerve if somebody opens one of the doors
  • Make yourself as visible as possible -- equip your bike with reflectors and use a headlight if riding at dusk, dawn or in foggy weather

MOTORISTS

  • Drive defensively and at safe speeds, exercising particular caution near schools
  • Give bicyclists ample room, at least 3 feet, when passing them
  • Yield to bicyclists when turning, and always look for them before pulling over to park at a curb
  • Don’t honk to communicate with bicyclists, except in an emergency
  • Always signal before turning
  • When parked beside a sidewalk, check for oncoming bicyclists before opening your vehicle’s door.
  •  Don’t follow bicyclists too closely – it can be distracting or intimidating to them.
  • Stop at the end of driveways before crossing a sidewalk or entering a street