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)
