What are the traffic rules for electric scooters such as the Bird? What should they be? These questions are being asked by a wide range of stakeholders following the sudden influx of scooter-share activity in urban areas. Electric scooter rental offers the instant ability to travel at 15 mph between downtown destinations without physical exertion (or sweating), and without the up-front cost of purchasing the vehicle. Although they may resemble a child’s kick-scooter, electric scooter-share vehicles are not toys; nor are they to be confused with disability-assistance devices that move at … [Read more...]
Search Results for: where should i ride
Autonomous Driving and Collision Avoidance Technology
Implications for Bicyclists and Pedestrians Will autonomous cars and automatic braking systems live up to their promise to improve public safety? Or will a rush to market flawed technology create greater peril for pedestrians and bicyclists? by Steven Goodridge, Ph.D. As I pedaled my bike along the road, Mercedes driver Farhan Ghanty approached me from behind at 45 mph, engaged the self-drive function of the E-Class luxury car, and took his hands off the wheel. It was December 4, 2017; BikeWalk NC Director Lisa Riegel and I were attending an autonomous vehicle demonstration held … [Read more...]
Historical Basis of Road Rights for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Advocates for motoring sometimes call for elimination of bicyclists or pedestrians from roadways, or for increased regulatory burdens to be placed on bicyclists (ostensibly to equal the expense of motoring regulations). Their argument often begins with the motoring-centric assumption that roads are for cars, and that because motoring on roadways is regulated as a privilege, then any use of roadways is also a privilege, and not a true right. Historically and legally speaking, however, this claim is inaccurate. Recognition of an individual’s basic right to travel on shared roads dates back … [Read more...]
Ann Groninger on the Importance of UM/UIM Coverage
Ann Groninger of Bike Law North Carolina provides her insights into the value of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for bicyclists. PLEASE DO THIS RIGHT NOW – 100% MUST HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BICYCLISTS Guest Post by Ann Groninger For at least the past ten years, in group talks, blogs and social media posts, I have been talking about uninsured and underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage for North Carolina bicyclists. Recently Bike Law published this very well laid out article written by Bike Law’s Maine attorney, again urging all bicyclists to increase UM and UIM coverage: … [Read more...]
NCDOT’s Weekly Video Promotes Bicycle Safety!
Wow, we are so excited that NCDOT in their NC Transportation Now weekly video promotes bicycle and pedestrian safety for May - Bike Month. Thanks Deputy Secretary Mike Charbonneau! We are so excited because they took footage from our volunteers working on additional safety videos to show: bicyclists riding two-abreast (which makes bicyclist more visible and thus is safer much of the time and easier to pass when in group formation) that all road users should share the road, avoid distractions, and that we all take a role in being safe that vehicles must yield to pedestrians Most … [Read more...]
Traffic Bicycling: 4. Yield Before Moving Laterally or Turning
4. Yield Before Moving Laterally A bicyclist must move laterally on the road when preparing for turns, when moving to a visible lane position or when avoiding hazards. It’s essential to LOOK BACK and to the side before any lateral movement in order to yield properly and avoid violating the right of way of other road users (§ 20-146 (d)(1)). Doing so without swerving requires some practice, but is easy to learn. To practice the LOOK BACK, ride on a straight line or marking in an empty parking lot or deserted road. Try to keep your tires on the line as you turn your head and twist your … [Read more...]
Traffic Bicycling: 3. Stop/Yield Before Entering a More Important Roadway
3. Stop/Yield Before Entering a More Important Roadway Drivers entering or crossing a roadway must yield to the traffic that has priority (see § 20-158). Stopping improves the reliability of the yield by increasing the amount of time that the driver has to see and recognize approaching traffic while in a position of superior vantage. The most common types of bicycle-motor vehicle collisions are junction crashes are where (1) a bicyclist (usually a child bicyclist) rides out in front of a through-motorist from a driveway or side street, or (2) a motorist drives out in front of a … [Read more...]
How to Pass a Bicyclist
Motor vehicle drivers pass bicyclists safely countless times every day. When done improperly, however, the results can be tragic. Some drivers say that they are unsure of what to do when they encounter bicyclists on the road ahead. It's therefore important to increase public awareness of how to pass a bicyclist safely. Safe passing of a bicyclist on ordinary roads requires following three simple steps: 1. Slow Down. 2. Look and Wait until Safe. 3. Change Lanes to Pass. Let's look at each step in detail: 1. Slow Down Your first responsibility as a driver is to not hit other … [Read more...]
Critical Mind Share
A chicken-and-egg relationship exists between common public beliefs and the interpretation of laws. For bicyclists, our legal right to the road may hinge on the prevailing concept of operations for marked travel lanes. Bicyclist advocates and safety instructors hold a concept of operations where other drivers change lanes to pass bicyclists safely, and where it is reasonable or even recommended for a bicyclist to ride in a lane position that makes it visibly clear that same-lane passing is not viable. Some motoring advocates, however, hold a concept of operations where motorists pass … [Read more...]
Group Riding Tips
by David Cole I've been cycling for a number of years, long enough to have encountered a variety of riding situations and to have matured some of my own group riding skills. I know from experience that riding as a newbie in an experienced group can be intimidating. I also know that inexperienced riders can pose a real safety threat within a group. So... I offer these group riding tips that I've picked up along the way, and hope they'll be helpful to others. Hold your line No matter how large the group you'll tend to fall into single, double, or perhaps even triple-file lines. It is … [Read more...]