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BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:46 PM Page 2 ALWAYS Wear a properly fitted helmet Do a safety check on your bike before riding Obey all traffic laws Be visible Be predictable Be alert This booklet is published by Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin 106 E. Doty St., Ste 400 P.O. Box 1224 Madison WI, 53701-1224 608-251-4456 info@bfw.org www.bfw.org This manual condenses and paraphrases language in the Wisconsin State Statutes. It also provides safety advice not included in the law.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:46 PM Page 4 Forward Bicycling for transportation, recreation and fitness has seen enormous growth in recent years. People everywhere are rediscovering the joys of bicycling; how much fun it is, how practical it is, and how good it is for their health and well-being. However, with the increase in bicycling there has also been an increase in conflicts with other road users.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:46 PM Page 5 Why Bicycle? Bicycling is fun. People bicycle for many reasons. Riding your bicycle allows you to feel active and energetic, to improve your fitness, and to enjoy the surroundings of the natural environment. Bicycling provides the independence of using only your own power, free from the constraints of motor vehicles. Wisconsin has an extensive system of both on- and off-road facilities for all abilities.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:46 PM Page 6 Equipment To ride your bicycle safely and efficiently it is important to have all equipment operating smoothly and properly. Your Bike What to consider when buying a bike: What type of bike to buy depends on a number of factors. The best advice is, “Talk to your local bike shop staff.” They will help you pick out a bike that suits your riding style, budget, and bicycling goals.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:46 PM Page 7 Will I be carrying things? Commuters and bicyclists carrying gear while traveling should buy a bike that can accommodate a rack and added weight. How devoted a cyclist do I want to be? Is this bike going to be used every day, or only a few times a year? How important is quality, durability and speed? Is riding position important? Consider back, shoulder, neck or knee problems when deciding riding position.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:47 PM Page 8 road or street riding, a one-inch to three-inch space is safest. If your bike has no top tube or a slanted top tube, ask your bicycle store’s staff to size you. Frame Length: If, when you ride, you feel overly stretched or have pain in your neck, shoulders, or back, your frame might be too long. Try moving the seat and handlebars closer together.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:47 PM Page 9 Sit on your bike and push one pedal all the way down. With the heel of your foot on the pedal, your knee should be slightly bent and your leg almost straight. If your hips rock from side to side when you pedal, your seat’s too high. Don’t raise your seat so high that less than two inches of your seat post extends into the frame . Handlebars: After you’ve set your seat height, set your handlebars so you feel comfortable.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:47 PM Page 10 All traditional bicycle brakes work less effectively when they are wet. Aluminum rims have much better braking performance than steel rims in wet conditions. It is dangerous to have only one brake in working order. Make sure both front and rear brakes work properly and have regular maintenance performed by a bicycle mechanic.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:47 PM Page 11 Panniers (saddle bags) Panniers allow you to comfortably and safely carry a load while keeping your hands on the handlebars and, by keeping your center of gravity low, they increase stability. These bicycle-mounted packs also keep the weight off your bottom, reducing ‘saddle sores’ and back pain.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd wrong right 4/27/2004 8:47 PM Page 12 B = Brakes. Squeeze your brake levers hard to be sure the brakes are working and the levers don’t reach all the way to the handlebars. C = Chain. Don’t ride with a dry chain. Lube your chain on a regular basis to reduce wear and rust and make pedaling easier. Quick = Quick releases. Take a look to be certain the quick releases on your wheels and brakes are closed and tight.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:47 PM Page 13 Visibility As a narrow vehicle, bicyclists can be less visible to motorists. It is therefore extremely important for bicyclists to use every means possible to make themselves conspicuous. Position yourself where motorists are looking The Wisconsin State law requires bicyclists to keep to the right, but that does not mean hugging the curb. You should be at least three feet away from the curb or parked cars.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:47 PM Page 14 Wear brightly colored clothing Wear brightly colored clothing such as neon green, yellow and orange, and/or wear a safety vest, day or night. Turn on your lights Turn on your lights, front and rear, whenever visibility is reduced. Aim your rear light to the traffic behind you and aim your front light on an angle for vehicles to see you and for you to be able to see the road. You need to BE SEEN, and be able to see the road, as well.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 15 Bicycling & Traffic Skills Always make hand signals well in advance of any turn to increase communication with other road users. Practice stopping as quickly as possible to get a feel for how much distance is needed at different speeds and under different conditions.
Hand signals Wisconsin state law requires bicyclists to use the same hand signals as motorists. Hand signals are required within 50 feet of a turn. Continuous signaling is not required if you need both hands to control the bicycle. Since signaling requires riding with one hand, you should practice doing this while maintaining a straight line. Remember, you must still check over your shoulder for traffic before moving laterally or turning.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 17 Check ahead and shift into a lower gear well in advance of hills. Use a gear that gives you a fast comfortable pedal rotation speed (cadence) of around 70-90 revolutions per minute. Change gears often to maintain this average cadence. Pedaling in a gear that is too high can damage your knees and tire you out on a long ride.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 18 user to be going the wrong way and won’t be looking for you. Riding the wrong way makes it difficult to avoid other road users and obstacles; it forces you out into traffic if you need to swerve. You can’t see road signs or make proper turns. And finally, the “closing speed” between you and another road user makes a collision more dangerous.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 19 If you are uncomfortable in the center of the lane, consider taking an alternative route. It is important to bicycle within your confidence limits and comfort when dealing with heavy or high-speed traffic. See the Wisconsin Bicycle Laws in the appendix. 346.80(2)(a) lists conditions when it is not practicable to ride far right.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 20 your destination: right third if you are turning right, center if you are going straight, and left third if you are turning left. If you cannot make it across traffic to position yourself in the correct lane, you have the choice to use the crosswalk as a pedestrian instead. If there is a straight-through bike lane, use it only if you are going straight ahead.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 21 goes straight ahead. Do not ride in a right-turn-only lane if you are going straight. Right turn only lanes when going straight If the curb lane becomes a right-turn-only lane, you will need to change lanes to go straight. Look over your shoulder for traffic, signal, and then go to the right side of the closest straight-through lane when an opening appears. Making a left turn There are two main ways of making a left turn on a bicycle.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 22 Passing on the left When overtaking slower moving traffic, you may pass on their left and should allow at least three feet of clearance. When passing other bicyclists, warn them in advance by voice or bell. Passing on the right You may pass on the right if it is safe to do so. It is safe only if you can maintain at least three feet clearance from both stopped and moving vehicles.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 23 driver cannot see you. Avoid riding in these blind spots and only pass slow moving large vehicles on the left. In urban areas watch for right-turning buses and semis, since their length and rear overhang require more space than you might expect. Large vehicles will often move toward the left lane in preparation for a right turn.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 24 Weather hazards Rain makes roads slippery, especially after a long dry period. Watch out especially for painted markings on the road, leaves, oily spots and metal utility access covers; these locations are likely to be slippery. Avoid them if possible or cross them with great care. You have less traction on the road, so turn more slowly.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 25 Traffic signals Many traffic signals are triggered by electrically charged wires buried under the pavement. When a vehicle passes over or stops over the wires, the metal disrupts the current, which sends a signal to a traffic light control box. Most bicycles contain enough metal to trigger the light, but you should know where the most sensitive spots are. Look for cut lines in the pavement, filled with tar.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd being used at night. Bike trailers should also have a bike flag attached to the trailer to improve visibility since they are lower to the ground. All children should wear an approved bicycle helmet and should be secured by a seat belt system when in a trailer or in a bicycle child seat.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 27 Appendices Bicyclists are a legitimate and recognized part of traffic, and they have a legal right to safe riding conditions on our roads. There are individuals at the local, state, and national level who can help you.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd in local issues. Find out which committee best addresses bicycling issues. In Madison this would be the Pedestrian/Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Commission. The UW and Dane County also each have a Pedestrian/Bicycle Sub-committee. Below are helpful resources for bicycle information in the area: City of Madison www.ci.madison.wi.us/transp/bicycle.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Public Transit Bus Bike Racks Madison Metro has bike racks on its buses. The racks each hold two bicycles and are easy to use. Instructions on how to use the racks can be found on the rack or the Madison Metro website: www.mymetrobus.com There is no charge for taking your bike on the bus. One way to learn to use the racks is to practice while a bus is waiting at a transfer point or time point such as the Capitol Square.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd The Support Arm needs to be raised so that the hook rests at the highest point on the front wheel. Board the bus and enjoy the ride! Choose a seat near the front of the bus to keep an eye on your bike. DON’T FORGET you have a bike with you when you get off at your stop. New riders often do! Unloading Bikes 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 30 Van Galder Bus 608/752-5407 800/747-0994 www.vangladerbus.com Metro Transit 608/266-4466 www.mymetrobus.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd If you are in a crash with a motor vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian, don't ride away or shake off what seems like a minor injury. You might find later that it is worse than you thought. Bicycling injuries often don’t manifest themselves until much later. It is better to be sure you have all the details of a crash in case you need medical attention or to file a report. If you're a victim of, or a witness to a crash, here are the steps to take: 1. Call the police. 2.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd failure to drive with due care and attention, etc.). Depending on the location of the incident and the caseload of the local police, you may find the authorities reluctant to follow up on a report. It is important to avoid making ‘nuisance’ complaints. However, if your concern is of a serious nature, obtain a police report number and follow up on the outcome.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd All bicyclists should be aware that the three most common motorist-caused bicycle/motor vehicle collisions are: • An oncoming driver turns left in front of the bicyclist. • A driver on a cross street stops, and then pulls out directly in front of the bicyclist. • A driver barely passes the bicyclist and then turns right. Wisconsin Bicycle Laws Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of a motor vehicles.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Use of Shoulders • Bicycles may be ridden on the shoulder of a highway unless prohibited by local authorities. [386.04(1m)] Riding 2-Abreast • Riding 2 abreast is permitted on any street as long as other traffic is not impeded. When riding 2 abreast on a 2 or more lane roadway, you both have to ride within a single lane. [346.80(3)(a)] 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 34 front light must be visible to others 500 feet away.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd sidewalks, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning when passing pedestrians traveling in the same direction. [346.804] • At intersections and other sidewalk crossings (alleys, driveways), a bicyclist on the sidewalk has the same rights and duties as pedestrians. [346.23, 24, 25, 37, 38] Bicycle Security Talk to your local bicycle store about the right lock for you and your bicycle. Ask for secure, covered parking at your workplace.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 36 4. Grab the top of the front wheel and try to rock it side to side. If you feel any play your hub bearings need adjustment. for bent or tight links. Check the derailleur cables and housing for cuts and kinks (again, check both at the derailleurs and at the levers). Repeat steps (1) through (4) for the rear. Also check the vertical alignment of the rear derailleur’s roller cage (it should be in the same plane as the freewheel cogs).
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 37 Trail Etiquette • Whether you are walking, biking, jogging, or roller blading, stay on the right side of the path except to pass. • Faster users must yield to slower users. When approaching another user, slow down and give the person plenty of space. • Pass on the left. Clearly alert others before passing. State law requires an audible warning when passing a pedestrian. • Always look before changing positions on the trail.
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BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 39 Bicycling Resources and Advocacy Ever wonder what advocacy really is? You may be interested in advocacy and not even know it! If you are concerned about the rights and privileges of bicyclists, whether for access to trails or safer road riding conditions, then you are interested in bicycling advocacy. There are many ways to become involved in advocacy and help ensure that bicyclists as a community of people are heard and understood.
BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:49 PM Page 40 THE 5 BASIC PRINCIPLES: Maintain your bicycle in good working order. Be as visible as possible to others. Learn the skills needed to control your bicycle. Bicycle in traffic safely and predictably. Know and obey the rules of the road.
