Bicycle Safety

UCOP Safety TrainingMay 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4&feature=player_embedded

Can’t we all just get along?

• On city streets, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers.

• In the United States, about 750 cyclists are killed in accidents every year, almost all involving automobiles

• As motorists, we need to be aware of cyclists!

Benefits of biking

The ubiquitous cyclists of UC Santa Barbara

Biking is…

• Less expensive than driving or riding public transportation

• A great work out

• Great for the environment

Your head is not as hard as asphalt

• Always wear a helmet

• Bicyclists and bicycle passengers under 18 years old are required to wear helmets meeting specified standards

• Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $25.00

Don’t follow your heart, follow the lane

…Stop signs apply to cyclists too.

Stop signs apply to bicyclists and motorists alike.

Always ride with traffic. Never ride the wrong way down one-way streets

Don’t door me, bro!

• Try to ride a door’s width away from parked cars.

• If you have to ride in the door zone, ride very slowly.

• Cyclists have the right to ride in a traffic lane if it is too narrow to share with a car.

When and when not to be a one-armed bandit

Use hand signals to tell motorists what you intend to do.

Unless signaling, keep both hands ready to break

Ride a well-equipped bike

Recommended for your ride:

• bell, • rear-view mirror, • rack or basket (or

backpack) • lights & reflector,• water bottle, • bike pump & patch kit• bike lock

The dark side of cycling

Required for night riding:

• A forward facing white light

• A backward facing red reflector or light

• White or yellow reflectors on pedals and bike frame

A couple dos and don’ts

Don’t: weave between parked cars

Don’t: pass on the right at intersections

Do: Follow lane markings at all times

Do: Choose the best way to make a left-hand turn

DON’T DO

Stay alert, stay alive

• Don’t wear headphones.

• Pull over to use your cell phone.

• Avoid road hazards.

• Cross tracks perpendicularly

Bike commuting at UCOPSecure bike parking available at the Franklin and Kaiser Buildings

• Contact Building Services Work Management Center (510-287-3344) to gain access

Showers and changing facilitiesare available on the ninth floor of the Franklin Building

Resources• For more information on

bike routes in the Bay Area and bike safety:

• http://bicycling.511.org/

• http://www.sfbike.org/

• http://www.ebbc.org/

• Section 21200-21212 of the California Vehicle Code (VC),

All safety tips and diagrams are from http://bicycling.511.org/traffic.htm