Bicycle Safety

Safety First

The Vision of the CNY Pathways group (a subcommittee of F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse) is to make Central New York a healthy place where all human modes of travel are safe, accessible, and easy; and to support healthy neighborhoods.

Riding a bike or taking a walk is a lot of fun – if done SAFELY.  Safety is essential when encouraging people of all ages to travel on wheels and on foot!

Wheeler Safety (bicyclists, skateboarders, in-line skaters)

As a Bicyclist, Skateboarder, or In-Line Skater:

• Always wear a helmet (The law in Onondaga County requires youth between the ages of 1 and 18 to wear a helmet while bicycling, inline skating, on skateboards and on scooters).
• Follow the rules of the road:  bicyclists, skateboarders and in-line skaters are required to follow the same laws and rules of the road as motorists.  Two of the most important:
• Ride WITH traffic

• Bicyclists must signal when turning or stopping
•  Ride predictably!  Ride in a straight line and avoid swerving into traffic.  Anticipate hazards and adjust your position accordingly.
•  Use the Proper Equipment

Hand Signals for Bicyclists

According to NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law, a bicycle must be equipped with:

• A brake which is capable of making the bike tires skid on dry level pavement.
• A bell, horn or other device that can be heard at least a hundred feet away. Sirens and whistles are not permitted.
• Bicycles driven between a half-hour after sunset and a half-hour before sunrise must be equipped with a white front headlight visible in darkness for at least 500 feet, and a red or amber taillight visible for at least 300 feet.
• A bicycle, when purchased new and/or driven at night, must have reflective tires, or wide-angle, spoke-mounted reflectors. Reflectors must be colorless or amber for front wheels, and colorless or red for rear wheels.
• See NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law

As a Motorist:

• Share the Road with Cyclists.
• Drive cautiously – reduce your speed.
• Yield to cyclists.  Bicycles are considered vehicles and should be given the appropriate right of way.
• Be Considerate – don’t blast your horn when driving next to a cyclist.  Look for bicyclists before opening car doors .
• Pass with care, leaving enough room for the cyclist.
• Watch for children on bicycles – they are unpredictable.

Web Sites with Additional Information on Bicycling Safely

• The Onondaga Cycling Club, the local bike club, has a website full of great information
• View the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Bicycle Helmet Fitting video (Approximately 4 minutes long)
• View the Bike Safe, Bike Smart video developed by NHSTA (created by kids, for kids) (Approximately 9 minutes long)
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, Bicycling Information (the national clearinghouse for bicycle materials and information on education, enforcement, engineering, advocacy, safety and access).
• Getting There, a bicycle education activity book for kids (originally funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC)).
• SafeNY, Bikes & Wheel Sport Safety
• NYS Share the Road brochure
• The League of American Bicyclists (LAB), a national organization whose mission is “To promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.”   Check out their 5 Steps to Riding Better.