Enforcing Bicycle Laws and Encouraging Safety on Georgia’s Roads Brent Buice Executive Director, Georgia Bikes!

Why should law enforcement officers care about bicycles? Bicycles are vehicles Cyclists are more vulnerable than motorists There are special laws that apply to bicycles Increasing numbers of people are bicycling for health and transportation

Workshop Goals Understand current Georgia laws relating to bicycles and cycling Recognize value of improving cyclist safety Learn ways to educate cyclists and motorists on sharing the road safely

There are many types of cyclists… Recreational Touring Commuter Mountain BMX

Georgia Bicycle Laws Georgia Code Title 40 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic Chapter 6 – Uniform Rules of the Road Article 7 – Negotiating Railroad Crossings, Entering Highways from Private Driveways Article 13 – Special Provisions for Certain Vehicles Georgia Bike Sense Guide GOHS education/76-ga-bicycle-laws education/76-ga-bicycle-laws

Q1: Are bicycles legally considered vehicles? A1: Yes! Traffic law provisions shall apply to bicycles, except that penalties for reckless driving, driving under the influence, or homicide by vehicle shall not apply to those driving bicycles. § Traffic laws applicable to bicycles

Q2: When driving a bicycle on a roadway with no bike lane, what should your position be in the travel lane? A2: As close to the right side of the road as practicable. The Georgia Bike Sense Guide recommends riding between 18 and 24 inches from the curb or road edge. There are some exceptions to this rule… § Riding on roadways and bicycle paths

Riding as far to the right as practicable 18-24”

Q3: What happens when the travel lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle? A3: The cyclist can “take the lane,” moving closer to the center. Cyclists may also move within the travel lane when turning left, traveling at the same speed as motor vehicle traffic, legally passing a vehicle, and when avoiding hazards.

Taking the lane

Q4: What might be some hazards to safe cycling? A4: Surface debris, rough pavement, drain grates, parked/stopped vehicles, gravel, sand, etc.

Q5: What equipment is required for bicycles during nighttime riding? A6: Two (2) items 1.A front light visible from at least 300 feet 2.A red rear light visible from 300 feet when in front of headlights on a motor vehicle or a red rear reflector that is approved by the Department of Public Safety § Lights and other equipment on bicycles

Q7: Are cyclists required to wear helmets? A7: No, unless they are under 16 years old.

Q8: Are cyclists allowed to ride on the sidewalk? A8: No. The local government may, however, resolve to allow children 12 years old and younger to drive bicycles on sidewalks. Anyone over the age of 12 is prohibited from driving any vehicle on a sidewalk or sidewalk area except within a driveway. § Emerging from alley, driveway, or building

Common Violations - Motorists Verbal and/or physical threats, O.C.G.A. § “Buzzing,” or providing insufficient space when passing or following, O.C.G.A. § Obstructing a street or bike lane, O.C.G.A. § Failing to yield, O.C.G.A. § & Reckless conduct, O.C.G.A. §

Common Violations - Cyclists Failure to stop (stop sign, traffic light) Riding against traffic No light or reflector Riding on the sidewalk Failure to maintain a lane (weaving) Failure to signal

HB 101 – Updates to Bicycle Laws In March 2011 Governor Deal signed HB 101, the “Better Bicycling Bill,” which went into effect July 1 st. This bill makes the following changes to GA law: When a motorist passes a cyclist, they must provide at least 3 feet of space between themselves & the cyclist. When riding in a designated bike lane, bicyclists always have the right of way. To signal a right turn, a cyclist may use an extended right arm. When riding in a designated bicycle lane, cyclists must ride in the same direction as other vehicle traffic. Cyclists are permitted to ride on a paved road shoulder, but they are not required to ride on the shoulder.

Why Crashes Happen

Accident Reporting It is essential that officers responding to an accident involving a bicycle record relevant data that will help planners, safety advocates and lawmakers analyze bicycling incidents and crashes: Was a helmet in use? Was the cyclist riding on the road or on the sidewalk? If a nighttime accident, was the cyclist using reflectors/lights and/or wearing visible clothing? Was the cyclist riding on a multi-use path or in a striped bicycle lane? Was the cyclist riding with the flow of traffic, or against it?

Insurance Cyclists are not required to be insured. Comprehensive insurance policies for cyclists are not available in the United States. Cyclists who wish to be insured must piece together coverage from other policies. Frequent cyclists should consider at least one type of insurance coverage, such as UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage). Other types of coverage, while not as essential, may provide benefits to cyclists comparable to some of the more common benefits of comprehensive auto insurance.

Safe Cycling Practices Law enforcement can serve an important role in educating the public about safe bicycling behaviors

Safe Cycling Practices You Can Encourage Equipment Helmet Bright lights Visible clothing Shoes (not flip flops) ABC Quick Check Air Brakes Chain, cassette, crank arm Quick test ride Behaviors Vehicular cycling 1 st come – 1 st served Yielding Speed positioning Signaling intentions Riding predictably Lane positioning Handling Skills Rock Dodge Quick Stop Quick Turn Scanning

Helmet Fitting Level on forehead, not tilted forward or back Straps form “Y” just below ears Can just fit 2 fingers between chin & chin strap

Safe Routes to School Georgia Safe Routes to School Resource Center Five E’s Engineering of roads and paths. Education, including increased public awareness of the importance of bicycle helmets, bicyclists' rights and responsibilities. Encouragement of bicycling as a form of transportation, for exercise, and for recreation. Enforcement of lawful and safe behavior by both bicyclists and motorists. Evaluation of efforts to increase knowledge, change perceptions, and adopt safety behaviors. Types of bicycle-related programs Bicycle rodeo Rules of the road, signaling, etc. Helmet fitting “Bicycle Train”

Resources 2 nd Annual Georgia Bike Summit October 8, 2011 in Athens Local advocacy groups Schools Georgia Bikes! National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Georgia Department of Transportation Georgia Bike Sense Guide