Traffic Rules Regarding Cyclists Can Save Lives
Learning Traffic Rules Regarding Cyclists Can Save Lives
Bicycles may well be part of the solution to scaling back our enormous consumption of oil and contributing to potentially catastrophic climate change. By riding bikes, people can minimize their fuel consumption and can also get healthy exercise. Yet by riding bikes, people also inherently put themselves at risk. If bicycle riders are hit by a car – even one traveling at a slow speed – they can be seriously injured or even killed. Police and other public safety officials encourage all drivers to know all the rules of the road so they can help reduce the risk of accidents causing injury or death to bicyclists.
In Minot and Ward County, as in many other cities and states around the country, bicyclists are required to follow all the same traffic rules as automobile drivers. Cyclists must drive on the road, and they must stop at all stop signs and obey traffic signals. They can’t put on a turn signal, but they must signal with their hand to let other drivers know when they are going to turn. Doing so is especially important when they are going to cross lines of traffic, such as when making a left-hand turn at an intersection. When cyclists are riding at night, they must have a headlamp, just like cars must have on their headlights.
Though cyclists have the right to travel on the road just like automobiles, they must ride to the far right side of the road. If cyclists are traveling together, they cannot ride next to each other. They must travel in a single-file line. Cyclists are not permitted to ride on the sidewalk as they can in some other cities. They must stay on the roadway. If a bike lane is present, they must travel in it.
Cyclists are not required to wear a helmet, though it is strongly recommended that they do. Likewise, it is strongly recommended that they wear bright clothing that makes it easy for drivers to see them. They can carry packages on their bikes, but only if doing so does not interfere with their ability to operate the bike safely. They are not allowed to carry passengers if the bike isn’t built for more than one person.
Not all cyclists or drivers know these rules. Some cyclists may try to ride in the middle of the road, creating a big traffic jam and increasing the risk to other drivers. In contrast, some drivers may not realize that cyclists have the right to be on the road, so they may drive recklessly or aggressively around cyclists in an effort to get them to stay off the road. Doing so can increase the risk of an accident that could injure everyone involved. Cyclists who don’t know the rules to which they are subjected could also cut across traffic when there is a red light, they could run a stop sign, or they could fail to yield to pedestrians in a cross walk, potentially causing serious accidents.
If you are involved in a serious accident involving a bicycle, an accident attorney from the Larson Law Firm can help. If you were the driver, you may be able to seek compensation from a bicyclist who caused the accident because of failure to obey traffic rules. If you were the cyclist, you may be able to sue the driver or the driver’s insurance company for your injuries. Compensation can be sought for things like past and future medical care, time lost from work, mental health care, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys help you understand your legal options and work hard to obtain the maximum compensation available to you. Call the Larson Law Firm at 701-484-4878 or use our secure online form to schedule a free consultation.