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Motorists

Tips for being aware of cyclists

Tune in to the road.

  • Expect to see bicycles on the road.
  • Avoid talking on a cell phone, text messaging, or being otherwise distracted.
  • Avoid driving or swerving into bicycle lanes.
  • Do not honk your horn as you approach a cyclist. The loud noise can startle them and cause them to swerve.
  • Do not pass a bicyclist if oncoming traffic is near. Wait unit traffic is clear before you pass.
  • Be prepared to stop suddenly when approaching or passing a bicycle. The cyclist might unexpectedly enter the travel lane.
  • Do not slow down or stop quickly directly in front of a bicyclist after you have passed them.
  • Be prepared to slow down or stop so a bicyclist can move into the travel lane if the road is too narrow for cars and bicycles to travel safely side by side.

Drivers, keep a lookout.

  • Be on the lookout for cyclists on the highway, especially at intersections.
  • In you are passing a cyclist, move to another lane if possible and give them plenty of room (at least 3 feet.)
  • Watch for cyclists who may need to maneuver around potholes and debris.

A bicycle is a vehicle.

  • Bicycles can and should ride on streets and roadways, not on sidewalks.
  • At intersections, follow the same right-of-way rules that you would with other road users.
  • Don’t crowd a cyclist when passing.  A good rule of thumb:  leave at least 3 feet between your car and the cyclists.
  • Don’t “tailgate” a bicycle.

Look for bikes on the right (mostly).

Cyclists mostly ride close to the side of the road payment, but can take the full lane when:

  • Passing another bicycle.
  • Preparing to turn left.
  • The right side lane is blocked.
  • The travel lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a car to travel side by side.
  • Bicyclists are vehicles with same rights to travel on the same roads and must obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators.

We can’t go on meeting like this.

  • When turning left at an intersection, yield to oncoming bicyclists just as you would to an oncoming motorist.
  • Watch out for cyclists when turning right. A bicyclist may be to the right of you and planning to go straight at the same intersection. Do not speed ahead of the bicyclist thinking you can negotiate the turn before they reach your car.
  • Look behind you for a cyclist approaching your parked car before you open the door into a traffic lane.
  • Watch for children and use extra caution when children are in the vicinity.
  • Look for bicyclists in the street or on the sidewalks at intersections,
  • Pass with care (give bikes 3 feet of space).
  • Use extra caution in poor weather conditions.
  • Look for lights on bikes at night.

Other safety tips

For more safety tips:

Save a Life, Texas Department of Transportation