Students Mean More Bikes

Sonora, CA — The CHP wants to remind motorists that back to school equals more bikes on the roadway as students head to class. In addition, starting September 16^th there will also be a new law to obey for both drivers and bicyclists.

“The law basically prohibits any motorists from passing any bicyclists with less than three feet between them,” says CHP Spokesperson Nick Norton. “It’s also the bicyclist’s responsibility to make sure that they stay as far to the right as possible to allow the vehicles to get by them.”

Norton adds that under the new law, vehicles cannot cross over the double yellow lines to pass a bike.

Here are the CHP’s traffic safety tips for bicyclists:

• “Use your head, wear a helmet.” It is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injuries and deaths from bicycle crashes.

• Tell your children to ride on the right side of the road with traffic, not against it. Stay as far to the right as possible.

• Use appropriate hand signals and obey traffic signals, stopping at all stop signs and stoplights.

• Teach your children to make eye contact with drivers. Bicyclists should make sure drivers are paying attention and are going to stop before they cross the street.

• When riding at dusk, dawn, or in the evening, be bright and use lights – and make sure your bike has reflectors as well. It is also smart to wear clothes and accessories that have retro-reflective materials to improve bicyclist visibility to motorists.

• Actively supervise children until you are comfortable that they are responsible to ride on their own.