Edmond Bicycle Safety
Keeping Cyclist and Motorist Safe
Issued: July 21, 2010
Bicycling in Edmond is growing in popularity, and recently we have been reminded of how dangerous the roadways can be when shared by vehicles and bicyclist with the death of two bicyclists in the Oklahoma City area.
Edmond is proactive in promoting bicycle safety, and in 2008 adopted an ordinance modeled after the Oklahoma State Statute adopted in 2006 regarding overtaking and passing bicyclist.
The Municipal ordinance states that a person driving a motor vehicle passing a bicycle travelling in the same direction shall leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet (3’) until the motor vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle.
Violations of this ordinance causing serious injury to a bicyclists would result in a $500 fine.
Edmond also has a Bicycle Committee. The Bicycle Committee is a strong advocate of education for both bicyclists and motorists. In an effort to better provide that education to the public, 5 Edmond residents have become League Cycling Instructor’s (LCI’s) by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB).
If you are interested in learning more about cycling and motoring safety, there are currently two classes offered in Edmond:
Basic Bicycling: Als' Bicycles
2624 S. Broadway Court
3rd Saturday of each month
9-11am
Class is free, but there is a $10 deposit required to verify attendance
Contact Craig or Henry
405-341-4331
Also offered:
Traffic Skills 101
9 hour class on vehicular cycling
Offered by the Edmond Bicycle Committee
For more information on this class contact Jan Ramseyer Fees at jan.fees@edmondok.com
405-359-4796
Both motor vehicle drivers and bicyclists have to obey the rules of the road and there are some safety tips to always remember for both motorists and bicyclists.
BICYCLISTS SHOULD REMEMBER:
- Always wear a helmet
- Obey traffic laws
- Ride Predictably
- Be courteous
- Be VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES, with lights, reflectors and bright clothing
- Scan for traffic and always signal lane changes and turns
- Control your bike by practicing bike handling skills
- Ride with a friend
MOTORISTS SHOULD REMEMBER:
- Never leave the scene of an accident
- Always give bicyclists at least three feet (3’) of room or more when passing
- Give bicyclists the same courtesies as a motor vehicle
- Avoid distractions while driving such as eating, texting, phone calls and animals in the vehicle
- Especially in the hot summer months, watch for bicyclists on the roadways in early morning hours
We all have to share the roadways, and the best way to keep us all safer is to look out for one another. Be alert and courteous at all times, whether driving a motor vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle or jogging.
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