Bike Safety Rules

OK PEOPLE.. Summer has arrived on Cape Cod .. School is out and people are arriving by the car loads. Every summer we have the same problems. BIKE RIDERS.. If you look in the MA Registry Manual it says THAT BIKE RIDERS NEED TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF A CAR.. 


WHEN you are RIDING:

Use the bike paths whenever possible.


Wear a helmet! If it isn't a law it should be! IF you are renting a BIKE , It's MANDATORY


Obey the Bike path rules.... STOP when APPROACHING a ROAD.AND HERE THE BEST WALK ... HERE THAT WALK your BIKE across THE ROAD. DON"T EXPECT CARS TO STOP FOR YOU , THEY DO NOT HAVE TO..


Ride on the Right side of the ROAD. YOU MUST OBEY THE SAME RULES AS A CAR WOULD.


For your own Safety squeeze right when a car approaches you from the rear.


USE a REAR-View MIRROR


Wear Reflective Clothing at NIGHT or DUSK


BE Sure your bike had reflectors and a light when riding at night.


DO NOT USE SIDEWALKS, THEY ARE FOR PEDESTRIANS


Ride single file in congested areas.


PEDESTRAINS : IS A PERSON WHO WALKS....NOT A BIKE RIDER


RULE IS STOP GET OFF YOUR BIKE AND WALK ACROSS THE ROAD


IF YOU FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE RULES YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT RIDE.. THE BIKE PATH IS FOR YOUR SAFETY..CROSS WALKS ARE FOR PEDESTRAINS..YOU ARE NOT ONE TILL YOU ARE OFF YOUR BIKE.
This came from the Chatham Police Department .
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER..




HERE IS RULE FROM MA REG MANUAL:

The Bicycle Safety Law was changed in 2011. There is new training for police officers in
bicycle safety and traffic enforcement. This will result in better enforcement of bicycle safety
laws.
If a police officer sees a bicyclist commit a traffic violation, the officer can issue a citation
the same way he/she would for a motorist. The bicyclist can be fined, but it will not affect
his/her driving record. A bicyclist must give the officer his/her true name and address when
asked and can be fined for not doing so. A bicyclist can also be arrested for refusing to give
his/her name.
Companies that rent bicycles must offer helmets that meet all safety requirements for
renters.
The new law changes some of the rules bicyclists must follow. It also allows motorists to be
cited for a motor vehicle violation for certain behaviors around bicycles. This should
encourage motorists to be more careful.
For a list of laws for bicyclists and laws for motorists in the presence of bicyclists, please

Laws for Bicyclists and Motorists in the Presence of
Bicyclists (as amended by Chapter 525 of the Acts of 2008)
Bicyclists have the right to use all public ways in this state except limited access or express
state highways where signs specifically prohibiting bicycles have been posted. When riding
on public ways, bicyclists must obey the same basic traffic laws and regulations that apply
to motor vehicle operators. The rules for bicycles (including amendments) are listed here.
As a bicyclist: (from Chap. 85, Section 11B)
• You can keep to the right when passing a motor vehicle moving in the travel lane.
• You must signal your intent by either hand to stop or turn. However, the signal does
not have to be continuous or be made at all if both hands are needed for the bike’s
safe operation.
• You can ride on sidewalks outside of business districts for safety unless banned
locally.
• If on the sidewalk, you must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before
overtaking or passing (no sirens or whistles).
• No more than two bicycles can be operated side-by-side. On a roadway with more
than one lane in the direction of travel, bicyclists riding side-by-side must stay in one
lane and not unnecessarily restrict a passing vehicle’s ability to overtake you.
• You must ride on or astride a permanent seat affixed to the bicycle. A passenger must
also ride on a permanent seat attached to the bike or to a trailer towed by the bicycle.
• You cannot transport a person who is between one and four years old or who weighs
40 lbs. or less except in a “baby seat” attached to the bicycle. The person must be in a
harness, be seated in an upright position, and their hands and feet must be protected
from hitting the wheel spokes. A person can ride on or astride a seat on a tandem
bicycle if the person can reach the pedals and handlebars. You cannot transport a
child under the age of one year on a bicycle.
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• A bicycle helmet approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission must be
worn by a bicycle operator or passenger under 16 years old. It must be secured to the
person’s head when the bicycle is operated on a public way or bicycle path, unless the
passenger is secured in an enclosed trailer which protects his/her head.
• You must give an audible warning (other than a siren or whistle) when necessary to
ensure safe operation.
• You can park your bicycle on a way or a sidewalk, but only if it does not obstruct
vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
• You cannot let the bicycle be pulled by another vehicle and can only tow a bike trailer.
• You cannot carry any objects that would interfere with the safe operation of the bicycle
and must keep one hand on the handlebars at all times.
• You must have a proper working brake system to stop from 15 MPH within 30 feet.
• From a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, you must have a white
lamp in front visible from up to 500 feet and a rear facing red light or reflector visible
up to 600 feet.
• From a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, you must have a reflector
on each pedal or your ankles, or reflective material on yourself or on the bicycle. The
reflectors must be visible up to 600 feet from all sides.
• Your handlebars cannot be set at a height above your shoulders while gripping them
and you cannot extend the fork from its original manufacturer’s design.
• You must report any accident involving personal injury and any accident involving
property damage in excess of $100 to the police in the municipality where it occurred.
As a motorist in the presence of bicycles:
• Do Not Cut-Off After Passing: When passing a bicycle traveling in the same
direction that is on your right, you must not return to the right until you have safely
passed the overtaken bicycle. (Chap. 89, Sec. 2)
• Do Not Make an Abrupt Turn After Passing: When passing a bicycle
near an intersection or driveway where you want to turn right, you cannot turn unless
you are at a safe distance from the bicyclist and you can make the turn at a
reasonable and proper speed. (Chap. 90, Sec 14)
• Do Not Squeeze Bikes in a Narrow Lane: If a lane is too narrow to pass a
bicycle at a safe distance, be PATIENT until you can safely use an adjacent lane or
WAIT until it is safe to pass in the lane you share. (Chap. 89, Sec. 2)
• Do Not Fail to Yield When Turning Left: When turning left at an
intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway, you must yield the right of way
to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, including a bicycle, if it is in the
intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. (Chap. 90, Sec 14)
• Watch for Bicycles on Your Right: Bicycles can legally ride to the right of
motor vehicle traffic. The law says it is not a defense for a motorist causing an
accident with a bicycle that the bicycle was to the right of other traffic. (Chap. 85, Sec
11B)
• Do Not Open a Door Without First Looking: Drivers and passengers can
now be fined up to $100 for opening a vehicle door into an oncoming bicycle.

Before opening your door, you should always check behind you to make
sure that no bicyclists are approaching.
• Bicyclists can now ride two bicycles side-by-side. However, on a road
with more than one lane in the direction of travel, they must stay in one lane. (Chap.
85, Sec. 11B)
• Bicyclists Do Not Always Have to Signal Turns! Bicyclists must signal
their intent by either hand to stop or turn. However, the signal does not have to be
continuous or be made at all if both hands are needed for the bike’s safe operation.
(Chap. 85, Sec. 11B)

Winter on Cape Cod

Well it the middle of winter . We might have had 6" of snow but was gone in 3 days. Temp have stayed around 40 to as high as 60 so far this winter. They say the cold weather is coming but what do weatherman know. The sun has been out and daylight is getting longer. We have been able to take walks on the beach.. many trips to the outer beach of Nauset Beach. It's almost like summer without the hot weather and people. I thought by now that I would be going stir crazy with cabin fever but not so. With the sun out and days not cold it's been great. However here on Cape Cod if you just wait a minute the weather will change. It will change going town to town . Some towns on the lower cape get snow while other nothing. As to what to do on cape during the winter months is walk the trails, visit the beach, the small business that make up the cape visit them. See everything with out a crowd. I love cape cod.

August is here!!!

Hard to believe that August has come ... Summer so far has been good. The weather has been hot, hot.. just the way we like it. However summer people are driving stranger this year than ever.. When you are on 2 lane stop with left going on it's own green light and the next lane has red light you can not just cross infront of others and take that left. People stay in your own lane and follow the rules..
The big week end for the PMC is here and I will not leave the house .. They don't stop at stop signs even thought they have them they just go..
The state of MA needs to put up signs about the bike rules.. YOU ARE NOT A PEDESTRAIN IF YOU ARE ON YOUR BIKE at a crosswalk. YOU have the  STOP sign. IT means get off your bike and walk accross..  cars do not have to stop if you are on your bike in crosswalk. People do what right it's in the drivers manuel..

Just a few more weeks and summer people leave!!!!! It's been great to have you hear but even better when you leave..

After the big weekeend

Well it has come and gone  the first big weekend.. Were the people here yes they were.. Traffic was bad . People you need to learn how to merge.. suicide alley was unreal.. it's only a two way road and people were going 20 mph not the 50 mph it's like they don't know how to merge .. traffice was backed up on 13 mile road about 10 miles.. People learn to drive.

Now that June is here graduation are happening.. Please drive safe...
It's only a few more weeks then school is out... and Summer can really begin..

Cape Cod in the Summer

Well  it's Memorial Day weekend the  start of all the crazy drivers arriving on  Cape Cod. People drive like you live here. It's great that you come and spend your money but people live here year round. We have to get to work to help you and when you take your sweet old time going we can not get to work. When the speed is 40 go 40 not 25 not 35 go 40.. If you are on the mid cape highway (rt 6) after exit 9 going to Provincetown go the speed limit it's 50 don't go 40 it is a 2 lane road that needs to keep moving. It will never get bigger no 4 lane road on this 13 mile road Why you ask because of wetlands . Just please drive .. and when you are taking that right put on the blinker for right hand turn not a left . If you are taking a left take it  as soon as you can don't wait for someone to let you go you need to go.. and at the lights if it's RED you can turn Right on RED  here. If  your a set of light and it's 3 lanes  it's 1. for he left  2. is for the center is for straight on 3. is for  right is for Right turns as it is RIGHT ON RED.

Now for all you bike riders who take our bike trails when you are at a stop sign on the bike trail  IT means STOP get of your BIKE and WALK accross . A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In some communities, those traveling using roller skates or skateboards are also considered to be pedestrians BUT A BIKE IS NOT A PEDESTRAIN. A cross walk is for WALKERS  not for you to ride your bike accross. Cars do NOT have to stop for you as you ARE NOT A WALKER. But if you are off your bike and waiting they will stop for you. And for kids under 12 wear a bike helemet it's for saftey and the law. My opion is if the towns are in need of money they should have a summer officer at the major stops on bike trail and give out tickets for not following the rules.  Think of the money the towns would have. If the state needs more money how about registration for Bike. They did it back in the 1960-1980. Each town had you go to the police station and register your bike paid $2  for it. If your bike was stolen they could return it to you .

Now to our Beaches.. people learn to park do not take up 2 spaces for your car  others would like to enjoy the beach but if your car takes up the space they can not. Yes you have to pay to park at our beaches. Each town office has sticker dept. and NO there is no town wide sticker program if you pay taxes in a town you can get a sticker if you are a rental you can get a sticker but you pay . Even us who live here have to pay to go to the beach. Please park where the sign are not is someone driveway. Clean up after yourself there are no MAID service for the beach. Yes we do have private beach areas they are marked. Mostly it's the people who could afford the price for beachfront house  that will complain you are on their property but remember they only own to high water mark on the beach. They are the ones that are only here for say two weeks all summer ..  For those who want to have a fire on the beach get a permit first then have fun. It would suck if you did it then had to pay as the fine is hefty. Most of all enjoy your stay, have your fun, tip your servers good..