Oregon Scientific 2000 manual

Bicyclist Manual OREGON 2000[...]

This booklet was prepared to help adult bicyclists and parents of younger bicyclists understand how to ride safely and legally on the streets, roads and highways of Oregon. This manual condenses and paraphrases language in the Oregon Revised Statutes. It also provides safety advice not included in the law. This manual is not a proper legal authorit[...]

CONGRA TULA TIONS! Bicycling is an inexpensive and efficient form of transportation for short trips around town. By riding a bicycle, you are helping everyone by reducing traffic congestion, wear and tear on our roads and the need for more roads and parking. You are keeping the air clean and neighborhoods quiet, while saving petroleum. You are impr[...]

PRINCIPLE #1: MAINT AIN CONTROL OF YOUR BICYCLE There are many things you can do to control your bicycle, even in an emergency. First, make sure your bike is the right size and adjusted to fit you properly. The right size bicycle is easier to control and more comfort- able, causing less fatigue. Your local bike shop can help you choose the right si[...]

Mountain bikes and hybrids are easier to handle than many older bikes. They are well- suited for city riding thanks to their upright sitting position, modern gear shifters and brakes, rugged construction and maneuverability. To improve your riding skills, practice in an area away from cars. Learn to ride while looking ahead, to the sides and over y[...]

HOW F AR TO THE RIGHT YOU SHOULD RIDE Riding on the right doesn’t mean hugging the curb or edge of the road. This may not be the best place to ride. For example, if you hit the curb, you could lose your balance and fall into traffic. Other times when you shouldn’t ride too far to the right include: • When avoiding parked cars or surface hazar[...]

Riding side by side You and a companion may ride side by side on the road, but only if you don’t impede other traffic. If traffic doesn’t have enough room to pass you safely, ride single file. When you should take a lane If there is no shoulder or bike lane, and the travel lane is narrow, ride closer to the center of the lane. This will prevent[...]

Obey traffic signs & signals Stop at STOP signs and red lights. It’s the law to stop for a yellow light too, and it makes good sense - rushing through a yellow light may not leave you enough time to make it across the intersection before the light changes. Useful tip: Downshift before stopping at an intersection. This will help you cross the [...]

T urn lanes When you approach an intersection with several lanes, choose the one with the arrow pointing where you want to go. You may get cut off by turning cars if you’re in the wrong lane. If there is a straight through bike lane, use it only if you’re going straight ahead. If you can’t make it across traffic to the correct lane, use the c[...]

Passing other vehicles Pass on the left. Only pass a vehicle on the right if it is signaling a left turn, or if you are in a dedicated travel lane, including a bike lane. You may pass on the right in a bike lane, but do so cautiously. Some drivers may want to turn right at the next driveway or street. They may not see you if they aren’t looking y[...]

PRINCIPLE #4: PROTECT YOURSELF Even very careful riders can fall or get hit by a motorist. And even a simple fall can injure your head. The brain is very fragile and often does not heal like broken bones. The damage can be for life. Helmets provide proven protection. It’s Oregon law: all bicycle riders under sixteen must wear an approved bicycle [...]

At intersections, stay on the road. Don’t ride in the crosswalk and suddenly reappear on the road again. A driver, thinking there is no one there, may lose sight of you, turn the corner and hit you. Never ride against traffic Wrong-way riding is against the law. It’s one of the leading causes of crashes, accounting for 15% to 20% of all crashes[...]

behind, and a sense that looking at on-coming traffic will prevent crashes. In reality, bicyclists are rarely hit from behind. The biggest danger of riding the wrong way is at intersections: you may not be seen by drivers entering, crossing or leaving the roadway. They are expecting traffic coming from the other direction, not a wrong-way cyclist ([...]

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. Depending on the shape, the most sensitive spots are: 1. Diamonds: just inside one of the points. 2. Rectangles: up front, in the middle. 3. Circles: about 1 / 4 of the way in. If you [...]

Walk your bike in downtown areas: they are busy with people walking out of doorways, stopping to talk to each other or window shopping. Many cities ban bikes from their downtown sidewalks. Riding on paths Paths are wider than sidewalks, but you should still ride cautiously. Ride on the right and yield to pedestrians. Be especially careful when cros[...]

OREGON Oregon Bicycling Guide Oregon Coast Bike Route Map 355 Capitol Street N.E., Room 210 Salem, OR 97301-1354 Tel: (503) 986-3556 Free PORTLAND AREA Bike There Metropolitan Service District Transportation Dept. 600 N.E. Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232 Tel: (503) 797-1742 $3.95 (+$1.00 S & H) MULTNOMAH COUNTY Multnomah County Bicycling Guide D[...]