By Maryland law, bicycles are vehicles, and bicyclists have many of the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles – but bicycles are less visible, quieter, and don’t have a protective barrier around them. Motorists should drive carefully around a bicyclist; even a slight mistake can result in death. Bicyclists fare best when they act like and are treated as drivers of vehicles. Download a copy of Bicycle Safety: It’s a Two Way Street booklet (PDF, 745kb).
Do your part by being a safe and courteous motorist. Here are some suggestions to help motorists share the road with bicyclists:
Expect Bicyclists on the Road – Always expect to encounter a bicyclist on the road: on all types of roads, in all types of weather and at all times of the day and night. Bicyclists may be riding out in the travel lane for their own safety due to narrow roads, obstacles, or pavement hazards which you may not see. Before opening your car door, check for bicyclists who may be approaching.
Pass with Care, Give Bikes at Least 3 Feet – Pass a bicyclist as you would any slow-moving vehicle. Slow down, wait until oncoming traffic is clear and allow at least 3 feet of clearance between your car and the bicyclist when passing. After passing a bicyclist, check over your shoulder to make sure you have allowed enough room before moving over. Experienced bicyclists often ride 20 to 25 mph and may be closer than you think.
Be Careful at Intersections – Always assume bicyclists are traveling through an intersection unless they signal otherwise, and yield to them as you would to any other vehicle. Do not turn left or right in front of bicyclists unless you can do so safely. You can be fined $1000 and receive 3 points if you injure a bicyclist by violating their right-of-way.
Watch for Children – Children on bicycles are sometimes unpredictable – expect the unexpected. Be aware of bicyclists entering the roadway from driveways or around parked cars. Strictly observe speed limits in school zones and in residential areas to give yourself time to see and safely share the road with young bicyclists.
RECOMMENDED VIEWING!
For Drivers, see these tips in action in this video on Sharing the Road, produced by the League of Illinois Bicyclists.
Like motor vehicle operators, bicyclists have both rights and responsibilities for operating on the road safely. Many bicycle crashes are the result of bicyclists not observing the rules of the road. Do your part by being a safe and courteous bicyclist. Below are a few rules and suggestions for safe, enjoyable bicycling:
Be Prepared for Slick Road Conditions –When braking in the rain or snow, allow extra distance to stop and look for pavement markings and utility covers which may become slippery.
Be Visible – Use Lights at Night –When riding at night, Maryland State Law requires a white headlight on front and a red reflector on the back visible from at least 600 feet. In addition, we recommend you wear bright clothing in the daytime and reflective clothing for night riding.
For adult bicyclists, learn how you can improve your bicycling skills by watching Competence and Confidence: A Bicycling Guide for Adults produced by the Maryland Department of Transportation, and hosted by One Less Car.
For kids (and parents), learn about you, your bicycle, and the rules of the road with NHTSA’s Bike Safe, Bike Smart.