Photo: Kyle Gradinger
On Monday, April 2, 2012 the state of Pennsylvania passed new bicycle safety laws in an effort to make roadways safer for all drivers, both those operating 2 wheel or 4 wheel vehicles. Bicycling is such a prominent means of travel in big cities such as Philadelphia, that it’s important that all drivers be aware of the changes to motorist laws. So many Philadelphians rely on bicycles as their primary means of transportation, to get to and from work, school, or to perform their jobs such as delivery drivers., assistants, etc. As we all know sharing the road can be frustrating at times, but making sure everyone arrives at their destination safe and sound is the most important thought we can remind ourselves of when we feel the need to drive aggressively.
Please observe the bicycle safety laws and be mindful of all fellow “drivers” on the road, as we ask cyclists to do the same.
The most important Bicycle Safety laws are:
[box] 1. Before passing, you must first assess if you can maneuver around the bicyclist. Be sure to check for oncoming traffic. Important! When passing, you must allow at least four feet between your vehicle and a bicycle for the vehicle to safely pass the bicycle. When safe to do so, it is legal to cross the center double yellow line if necessary to provide the required four feet when passing a bicycle.
2. Unless making a Left turn, bicyclists traveling at less than normal speed must keep to the right side of the roadway when there is more than one lane marked for travel in that direction, and must travel in the same direction as the rest of traffic. Bicyclists may keep to the left on ONE WAY roadways.
3. When there is only one travel lane, bicyclists may use any portion of the lane to avoid hazards on the roadway, including a safe distance from stopped and parked cars.
4. No turn by the driver of a motor vehicle shall interfere with a bicyclist proceeding straight on a roadway or shoulder.
5. It is illegal to force a bicyclist off of the road. If you do this, you may face criminal charges.
6. While bicyclists are vehicle operators and are expected to obey all traffic laws, they may travel at less than the posted minimum speed and may not be cited for impeding traffic. Bicyclists may operate on a shoulder or berm, but are not required to do so.[/box]
(Provided by Drive Safe PA)
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