Providence, Rhode Island
United States
AARPRIShare the Road with Bicyclists-Rules of the Road
Share the Road with Bicyclists
Under RI law, a bicycle is considered a vehicle with equal rights and responsibilities as cars and other vehicles on the road. When bicyclists or automobile drivers do not understand or obey the law, confusion or accidents
can result.
Potholes, puddles, poor road conditions,
Dogs and other animals, railroad tracks,
manhole covers or grates, broken glass
and other debris: all these obstacles
can seriously hinder bicyclists’ safety
on the road.
The Greenways Alliance of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay Wheelmen,
Providence Bicycle Coalition, RI Chapter of the Sierra Club, and U.S. Open Cycling Foundation created this brochure to explain what motorists need to know so that everyone can use our roads safely.
Greenways Alliance of Rhode Island
www.rigreenways.org
www.bikeprovidence.org www.nbwclub.org
This brochure was published with funds
from the NBW/GARI grant program.
http://rhodeisland.sierraclub.org/index.html
www.usopencycling.com
Some graphics courtesy of Bicycle
Coalition of Maine www.bikemaine.org
Rhode Island Cyclists and Motorists Let’s Share the Road
Share the Road with Bicyclists
If automobile drivers and bicyclists follow common safety practices and respect the rights of others we can all “Sharethe Road”
1• When passing cyclists leave adequate space and be aware of road surface conditions like potholes, puddlesor debris which may force cyclists to move further left 3' than usual.
• Don’t blast your horn as you approach a cyclist as the loud noise can startle them and cause them to swerve.
• Avoid talking on a cell phone, text messaging, or being otherwise distracted when approaching or passing a bicyclist.
• Avoid driving or swerving into bicycle lanes.
2• When approaching or passing a bicycle be prepared to stop suddenly if the person enters the driver’s lane.
• In bad weather give bicyclists extra trailing and passing room like you would give other motorists.
3• When a road is too narrow for cars and bicycles to travel safely side by side, be prepared to slow down or stop when the bicyclist ahead of you “takes the travel lane,”, i.e., proceeds in the center of the road.
4• Do not pass bicyclists if oncoming traffic is near. Wait until there are nooncoming automobiles before you pass.
• After you have passed a bicyclist, do not slow down or stop quickly directly in front of them.
5• When turning left at an intersection yield toncoming bicyclists just as you would to an oncoming motorist.
6• Before turning right at an intersection or drivewaycheck for bicyclists on your right or behind you whoare continuing straight ahead.
7• Look behind you for a cyclist approaching your parked car before you open the door into a traffic lane.
Watch for Children on Bicycles
Children cannot see things out of the corner of their eyes as well as adults, andcannot judge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles. They lack a sense of danger and believe adults will look out for them.
8• Always reduce speed and use extra caution when children are in the vicinity, particularly in school zones.
• Check for bicyclists in the street or on the sidewalks at intersections. Rhode Island law
“Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction except where official traffic control devices (signs or pavement markings)
To learn more about bicycling resources in Rhode Island, visit The Rhode Island
Department of Transportation web site: http://www.dot.ri.gov/bikeri/
specifically direct bicyclists to do otherwise.”
RIGL § 31-19-6 Bicycles to right of road
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