Join the Ride!

Safety Tips

Be Safe and Share the Road!

Bicycle Riders

Ride in the same direction as traffic, never against it.  Use a bicycle lane or roadway shoulder if available.

Ride as far to the right as practical.  If the road is too narrow to ride side-by-side with traffic, you may need to take the full traffic lane.

Obey the rules of the road.  Stop at all stop signs and obey all traffic lights.  Yield to pedestrians, and follow right-of-way rules at intersections.

If you are riding on a street with on-street parking:

  • Be alert for vehicles pulling in or out of parking spaces.
  • Ride at least three feet from the parked cars to avoid an opening car door.
  • Watch your speed. Drivers leaving a parking space may not see you when pulling out.
  • Ride in a straight line instead of weaving in and out around parked vehicles.

Drivers

Maintain at least three feet between your vehicle and the bicyclist – six feet if you’re driving a large truck or commercial vehicle.

Be patient. If the lane is narrow, the bicycle rider may need to travel in front of you in the lane.  Wait until there is a safe distance to pass.

Bicyclists have the rights and duties of other vehicle operators. Remember to yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist when appropriate, just as to any other vehicle.

If you are parked on a street with on-street parking:

  • Look twice for bicycles when opening doors. Use your mirrors and check over your shoulder for passing cars and bicyclists.
  • Take extra care when leaving a space. If necessary, ask someone to help you with spotting traffic.
  • Don’t park in a bicycle lane. Although it may not be specifically prohibited, parking in a bike lane blocks the lane for the intended users.

Share the Road…See and Be Seen

Bicycle Riders

Obey all traffic laws.  Bicycles are considered vehicles in Texas.

  • Stop at all stop signs and red lights.
  • Yield to pedestrians.
  • At four-way stops, take turns with other vehicles crossing or turning through the intersection.

Practice proactive positioning: think ahead to where you need to be positioned for your next move.

  • Position yourself in the middle of the right-most lane going in the direction you are traveling.
  • Be aware that if you are too far right, a vehicle may try to make a right turn in front of you.
  • Pass right turning vehicles on the left side. This may require you to leave the bike lane or shoulder.
  • You may always walk your bike across a crosswalk or intersection if you are uncomfortable riding across.

Be alert and be predictable.

  • Make eye contact with other drivers.
  • Avoid wearing ear buds, be alert to road noises and oncoming vehicles.
  • Be aware that drivers may not see you, especially if there are parked cars or other obstructions.
  • Watch for oncoming drivers who are turning left.

Drivers

Watch for bicycles and pedestrians at intersections and driveways.  Check your mirrors and your blind spot before you turn or change lanes.

Bicycles can be hard to see at night.  Watch for lights or reflectors.

Use turn signals before turning or moving into a different lane.

Don’t drive distracted.  Avoid using cellphones while driving.

Share the Road…At Intersections and Driveways

Bicycle Riders

Obey all traffic laws.  Bicycles are considered vehicles in Texas.

  • Stop at all stop signs and red lights.
  • Yield to pedestrians.
  • At four-way stops, take turns with other vehicles crossing or turning through the intersection.

Practice proactive positioning: think ahead to where you need to be positioned for your next move.

  • Position yourself in the middle of the right-most lane going in the direction you are traveling.
  • Be aware that if you are too far right, a vehicle may try to make a right turn in front of you.
  • Pass right turning vehicles on the left side. This may require you to leave the bike lane or shoulder.
  • You may always walk your bike across a crosswalk or intersection if you are uncomfortable riding across.

Be alert and be predictable.

  • Make eye contact with other drivers.
  • Avoid wearing ear buds, be alert to road noises and oncoming vehicles.
  • Be aware that drivers may not see you, especially if there are parked cars or other obstructions.
  • Watch for oncoming drivers who are turning left.

Drivers

Remember to treat the person on the bicycle as another road user.

  • Yield the right-of-way to a bicycle when appropriate, just as to any other motor vehicle.
  • At four-way stops, take turns crossing or turning through the intersection.

Carefully approach the intersection looking to your left for bicyclists as well as cars and pedestrians.

  • If you need to cross a bike lane to reach your turn lane, yield to bicycles in the lane.
  • Stop in advance of the crosswalk area (may be marked or unmarked) to yield to others before proceeding.
  • Be aware of bicyclists that may have pulled up beside your vehicle or behind your vehicle.
  • Watch bicyclists for hand signals or head turns.

Be alert and be predictable.

  • Use signals to indicate if you are turning.
  • Watch for bicyclists and pedestrians before and during a turn.
  • Be aware that a bicycle rider may need to move to a different lane to prepare for a turn or to get out of a right-turn lane.

Share the Road…Turning Left

Bicycle Riders

Position yourself in the middle of the left-most lane (or in the case of a dual left, in the right-most left turn lane). If you are too far left, a vehicle may pull up beside you and crowd your turn.

Be predictable.  Use hand signals to indicate your intention.  Make eye contact with drivers before turning or changing lanes.

Watch for pedestrians before and as you turn.

You may also choose to walk your bike and cross the intersection or driveway as a pedestrian.

Drivers

Be aware that a bicycle rider may need to change lanes to get ready for a left turn.  This may put them temporarily in front of you or to your immediate right.

Be predictable. Use your turn signals to indicate your intention.

Watch for oncoming bicyclists (and pedestrians) before and as you turn.  Square your turn for optimal visibility of bicyclists and pedestrians.  Make eye contact with the person walking or biking.

Share the Road…Turning Right

Bicycle Riders

Position yourself in the middle of the right-most lane (or right-most right turn lane).  Be aware that if you are too far right, a vehicle may pull up beside you and crowd your turn.

Watch for pedestrians before and as you turn.

If a motor vehicle is next to you and also turning right, be aware that the driver may not see you.  Try to make eye contact, and use hand signals to indicate the direction you’re going.

Drivers

Turn from the curb. Turn from the right-most lane, even if the right-most lane is a bike lane or shoulder.  If you must cross a bike lane to enter a right turn lane, yield to any bicyclists in the bike lane.

Watch for bicyclists and pedestrians to your right as you are turning — check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder.

Make eye contact with the person on the bicycle or walking. Look for clues to help determine the direction they are going.

Save a Life, Texas Department of Transportation