By: Brian Smith
Bicycling is a fast, inexpensive, efficient, environmentally safe, healthy and fun way to commute within the city. However, it’s not like going on a bike ride back in the suburbs. There are very important laws, rules and general regulations cyclists must or should follow in the urban Savannah landscape. Remember, since cyclists share the same rules of the road as motorist, a cyclist can be stopped and charged with any moving violation a motorist can – and following these rules is all about preserving your own personal safety.
What you must do:
RIDE ON THE RIGHT
Riding with the flow of traffic is the safest way to travel, and it’s the law.
DON’T RIDE THE WRONG WAY DOWN A ONE-WAY STREET
Unless you enjoy the thrill of colliding head-on with a car, follow the directional arrows – it’s the law.
OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND STOP SIGNS
Just like in a car, you don’t want to fly through a busy intersection – it’s the law.
DON’T RIDE ON SIDEWALKS
It puts pedestrians and yourself in danger, and it’s the law.
DON’T RIDE THROUGH SQUARES
It may be tempting – that quick shortcut through Savannah’s scenic roundabouts, but it’s the same as riding on the sidewalk, and it’s the law.
USE FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS ON YOUR BIKE
You want drivers to see you on the roads at night, and you guessed it – it’s the law.
What you should do:
WEAR A HELMET
You’ve heard it a million times for a reason. Protect your most important asset and wear your sort-of-ugly plastic hat.
SIGNAL YOUR TURNS
Let people know where you’re going – this eliminates motorists and other cyclists guessing your project path incorrectly.
RIDE IN THE BIKE LANE WHEN YOU CAN
These are safe routes where drivers should be most aware of your presence – just don’t go the wrong way. These lanes can be found downtown on Lincoln and Habersham Streets.
WATCH OUT FOR OPENING CAR DOORS
People tend to not look back when opening their door on the street in a parallel parking space. Running into a door is like running into a wall, so look out and don’t ride too close to a row of parked cars.
WATCH OUT FOR IGNORANT MOTORISTS, AND YIELD IF NECESSARY
Despite the fact that all road-based commuters share the same rules of the road, some motorists aren’t aware. There are plenty of bad-driver anecdotes to be told, but they all end the same way – a car is a moving object that weighs around two tons, and when it comes in contact with a cyclist, the car always wins. Watch out and ride carefully.
Some resources to better your knowledge of urban cycling:
www.bicyclecampaign.org
This Web site is the homepage for local bicycle advocacy group, Savannah Bicycle Campaign. The group hosts monthly group rides called Wheelies, and is working hard to build a better cycling community in Savannah.
www.bicyclesafe.com
This Web site’s tagline is “How to not get hit by cars,” a key to urban cycling. Check out bad potential cycling situations and how to get out of them.
