The first thing a cyclist should firmly understand when riding carriageway- becomes a member traffic. And it falls under all the rules. If for a motorist, knowledge of the rules is mandatory checked before issuing driving license, then cyclists are not required to take exams at the traffic police. However, knowledge of traffic rules is simply vital on the road. When driving, the car owner is protected from all sorts of troubles by the iron and car frame, and the cyclist is open not only to all winds, but also to all possible blows.
You can avoid danger by walking on bike paths. The rules prescribe without fail to drive only on them, in those places where they are. Unfortunately not many have been made. Pedestrian sidewalks are not cycle paths, moreover, riding a bicycle on them is a violation of the rules. But in the absence of basic knowledge of traffic rules, a trip along the sidewalk is the only way out. It is important to adhere to certain rules
- On the sidewalk, the main one is the pedestrian.
- Children on the sidewalks are a factor of increased danger. When approaching them, you must slow down.
- Do not allow sudden maneuvers that can frighten pedestrians.
Authorities usually do not pay attention to cyclists passing on the sidewalk. But you need to remember that a cyclist on a footpath is a guest.
Movement on the roadway
Having mastered the control of a bicycle and having learned the basic rules of traffic rules, you can go onto the roadway. It is better if these are quiet streets with little traffic, until it becomes clear how drivers behave when a bicycle approaches, and their own speed of reaction to unforeseen situations.
The rules provide for movement on two wheels only at least right side stripes. But parked cars are forced to make maneuvers with exit to the middle of the road. Such detours should be made only with an eye on the traffic coming behind. A sharp exit to the middle of the road can take the car driver by surprise, in addition, the inertia of the car is much higher than that of a bicycle.
Another danger lurking in such a situation is a suddenly opening door. standing car from the driver's side. Before the maneuver, the cyclist is in the "blind zone", and is not visible from the driver's seat. Therefore, it is better to make a maneuver with a margin of distance.
On busy streets, the right lane is reserved for urban traffic, and the sidewalks are filled with people waiting for their bus. In such a situation, many cyclists follow closely behind the passenger-and-freight transport and, having got used to the monotony of traffic, do not have time to react to its stop. It is important to keep your distance and not lose vigilance, because sometimes public transport stops at the request of passengers in places not provided for this.
By the way, a similar situation arises when moving for freight transport. Massive transport completely blocks the view of the lane, and a sudden stop of the car, due to a red traffic light or any other traffic situation may end in a collision.
Driving in a straight line will not cause difficulties even with minimal driving skills. When leaving for complex road junctions, you need serious experience and knowledge of the rules of the road. If there is no confidence in the full assimilation of the rules and fluent reading of the traffic situation, then the best way out is to get off the bike and cross the pedestrian crossing. In the case of a left turn at a complex interchange, the SDA leaves no choice at all, obliging you to become a pedestrian for a while.
Reference: According to the traffic rules, a person riding a bicycle is a road user. If a person rides a bicycle, it is considered a pedestrian. The rules recommend in such cases to move along the side of the road towards traffic. It is also obligatory to transport a bicycle on pedestrian crossings.
Movement in a group
If trains are planned by a group, then a few more mandatory rules for the behavior of a cyclist when moving in a group come into play.
- Movement only in a column. Moving side by side is best left for deserted park alleys.
- Distance between bikes is required. A chain of cyclists stretched out in a row, riding wheel to wheel, is only allowed in the Tour de France with an empty road guarded by the police.
- You cannot travel in a group of more than 10 people. If you are going to ride in the park with several families, and more people will take part in the trip, you will have to break into several groups.
Driving in a group requires a few more prerequisites, and if you don’t know the rules, it’s better to turn to an experienced cyclist who organizes safe movement.
Very important for safe trip the right equipment. It's not just about the helmet, although neglecting it can cause serious injury even in small falls. Due to the small size compared to the car and the complete silence of movement, the cyclist is hardly noticeable on the road, and the absence of marker signals, reflectors and bright clothes generally turns him into a kind of invisible.
And the last, hackneyed, but vital rule of "three D". Even observing all the rules of conduct for cyclists, it is better to let the car pass if there is the slightest doubt about the behavior of the driver.
Help: "Rule of three D" - Give way to the Fool. It is understood that it is better to give way to a person with inappropriate behavior.
The motorist risks only the paint on the bumper, and the cyclist risks his life.
ROAD RULES FOR CYCLISTS
Under the Rules of the Road, cyclists under the age of 14 are not allowed to ride on roads, with the exception of roads in a residential area.
The rules apply to all road users, including pedestrians. Drivers and pedestrians are required to comply with the requirements of traffic police officers regarding traffic, as well as follow the rules for traffic lights, road markings and signs. Knowledge of road signs, markings and special elements of the road is mandatory for both car drivers and cyclists.
It is obligatory for a bicycle that the brakes and the presence of a sound signal are in good working order, and when used at night or with poor visibility, the cyclist is obliged to equip his vehicle two lights: white in front and red in the back. On the sides of the bike, it is necessary to strengthen orange or red reflectors.
According to current legislation, a cyclist is not allowed to ride on footpaths and sidewalks, move with his feet removed from the pedals, or without holding on to the steering wheel. A bicycle is a single-seat vehicle and cannot carry passengers. The exception is children under 7 years old, provided that the bike has a special seat for a child. It is also desirable to have steps and shields that prevent the passenger's foot from getting into the wheel spokes. If the foot hits the spoke, it will bring a lot of trouble, since the injury is likely to be serious.
There are certain restrictions on shipping. It should not interfere with the control of the bicycle, as well as the visibility of the road. The dimensions of the load must not exceed the dimensions of the bicycle and an additional half meter on each side.
If there is a bicycle path near the road, the cyclist is obliged to leave the carriageway and move along it in order to ensure the safety of movement.
When driving on roads, cyclists must be on the right side of the road, occupying one row no further than a meter from the edge of the carriageway. Also, a cyclist can move along the side of the road, if this does not interfere with the movement of pedestrians.
Keeping your distance is the responsibility of every cyclist. Vehicles in front of him may suddenly slow down and the cyclist must be prepared for this. To do this, do not get too close to other vehicles, slow down beforehand to avoid sudden braking. It can lead to skidding, brake failure and, in wet weather, increased stopping distance. Do not drive close to moving vehicles.
It is forbidden to drive more than 1 meter from the right edge of the carriageway, except when it is necessary to bypass any obstacle. According to the traffic rules, a cyclist can go to the dividing zone for a left turn or a U-turn.
The actions of a cyclist should not be unexpected for other road users, therefore, he is obliged to warn drivers of his intention to maneuver in advance: using the turn signals installed on the bike, or by means of conventional hand signs. When intending to turn right, the cyclist must extend his straight arm to the right, or extend his left arm bent at the elbow to the side. When turning to the left or turning around, he should extend his left arm to the side, or bend his right arm at the elbow, pointing upwards. The stop signal is given by raising the straight arm up. All direction indicators must be given in advance so that drivers of other vehicles have time to notice them and react correctly to the maneuver. It is recommended to start signaling 5 seconds before the maneuver. It is necessary to stop signaling immediately after the completion of the maneuver. If the turn is very tight and the cyclist needs both hands to turn, he may stop signaling just before the manoeuvre. All signals given by a cyclist must be clear to other road users. In addition, it should be borne in mind that after the signal is given, it is still necessary to take precautions.
When approaching a bus stop, a cyclist must be sure that he will have time to go around it before the bus moves off. Otherwise, he risks being in the general flow of vehicles. This is a rather dangerous situation, in addition, it will be quite difficult to get out of a dense stream of cars. To determine whether the cyclist has time to bypass the shuttle vehicle or not, he must make sure that the boarding of passengers has not yet been completed. When all the passengers have entered the municipal transport, the cyclist should slow down and wait until the bus or trolleybus moves off and, having driven away from the stop, takes its place in the general stream.
When driving around a car in which people are sitting, one must take into account that they can suddenly open the doors in front of a cyclist, which is fraught with an accident. And although the driver must look in the rearview mirror before opening the door, the cyclist should also be prepared for the sudden appearance of an obstacle. An even greater danger is posed by cars that are bypassed by a cyclist on the right, as passengers usually do not expect the appearance of a cyclist or other obstacles and calmly open the doors, not worrying about safety.
When cyclists move in a column, special conditions must be ensured: cyclists must travel in groups of ten people maximum. If the number of drivers exceeds a dozen, then there must be at least 80 meters between groups. Cyclists in groups must move in one row without interfering with other road users.
Bicyclists have the right to turn right at all intersections. A left turn is allowed when there are no tram tracks and there is only one lane in the direction of travel. Any maneuvers may be prohibited by special prohibition road signs. When turning to the right, the cyclist must be careful, as he may be pressed against the corner of the sidewalk by a car performing the same maneuver. Therefore, in certain cases, it is safer for a cyclist to let the vehicle go ahead and only then turn. If a cyclist notices that several cars are about to turn right, it is best to get off the bike and follow the sidewalk to the desired direction of the road, and then ride on the right side of the carriageway.
The left turn is considered more dangerous, since it is necessary to change lanes to the left edge of the lane. Even rare traffic does not give a reason to relax. A large difference in speeds can make changing lanes much more difficult. There are two ways to turn left: let the moving vehicles pass, as they usually drive in groups rather than in a continuous stream before the intersection, and then turn left; get off the bike and along the pedestrian crossings, following the rules, move the bike to the right side for further movement along the right edge of the carriageway.
If there are two or more lanes in a given direction or tram tracks, the cyclist is forbidden to change lanes to the left edge of the passing lane for subsequent maneuvering. Left turns and U-turns are also prohibited: these measures have been taken to ensure traffic safety. Due to the inability to move at high speeds, it is quite difficult for a cyclist to change lanes to the leftmost lane without interfering with other drivers. On such roads, the cyclist is obliged to leave the bike and use his hands to move it to the right side along the pedestrian crossings. At regulated intersections, traffic is only possible when a traffic light or traffic controller permits.
Under the current rules, a cyclist who rides a bicycle next to him is considered a pedestrian and is subject to the rules relating to pedestrians. This is an advantage for cyclists over drivers of cars and other vehicles. Becoming a pedestrian for a while, it is much easier for a cyclist to overcome various obstacles: traffic jams, dangerous sections. Leaving the bike, a person can enjoy all the benefits of a pedestrian. For example, he can use ground and underground passages, footpaths, sidewalks. But at the same time, of course, one should not forget that a cyclist can interfere with pedestrians nearby.
Due to the fact that cyclists ride on the right side of the roadway, they must get on the bike on the right and dismount on the same side. Naturally, this method of landing and disembarking is the safest.
When moving on the roads of the city, in order to avoid dangerous situations, toe-clips, if any, should be removed. Low landing is also not welcome on city roads. It reduces visibility and makes it difficult to correctly assess the situation.
At marked intersections, and at intersections where priority is easily determined, when crossing a main road, you must give way to all vehicles moving on the crossed carriageway. At the intersection of equivalent roads, you must give way to all drivers approaching the right of the cyclist. At regulated intersections, the passage is allowed only on the permissive signals of the traffic controller or traffic lights.
Cyclists should be extremely careful at roundabouts. Due to the rather difficult situation at such intersections, it is better to exclude such elements in your route if possible.
Proper foot placement on the pedal is essential to conserve energy and control the bike. To provide most pressure on the pedal with the strongest muscles of the foot, it is necessary to set the base of the thumb above the axis of the pedal. If this does not seem comfortable enough, you need to move the foot back.
Do not install headlights that do not meet the requirements on the bicycle. It is desirable to use headlights of industrial production. The headlight is installed in such a way that the beam is directed directly in the direction of the bicycle, and the center of the light spot is approximately 10 meters away.
Before riding long distances, check that all parts of the bike are in good working order. It is also highly desirable to periodically check the technical condition of the bike during its active use, since the parts gradually wear out and require periodic replacement.
16. Pedestrians must move along the sidewalk, footpath or along the pedestrian and bicycle path, and in their absence, along the roadside. In the absence of a sidewalk, footpath, pedestrian and bicycle path, curb, or if it is impossible to move along them, pedestrians are allowed to move along the edge of the carriageway in one row (on roads with a dividing strip, along the outer edge).
17. Move along the sidewalk, footpath, footpath, bicycle path or roadside using roller skates, skateboards, etc. equipment intended for sports and recreation is allowed, provided that it does not interfere with other pedestrians.
18. Outside built-up areas, pedestrians, when moving along the edge of the carriageway or the roadside, must go towards the movement of vehicles, and persons moving in wheelchairs or driving a motorcycle, moped, bicycle, etc. along the edge of the carriageway or roadside, must follow the direction of movement of vehicles.
At night outside populated areas, as well as in settlements If the road is insufficiently and evenly lit, pedestrians moving along the carriageway or roadside are required to use reflective elements or hold a lit flashlight in their hand.
[Remember! The presence of reflective elements on your clothing and accessories allows drivers to notice you in a timely manner ]
20. Movement organized groups people on the road are allowed only on the right side of the carriageway in the direction of movement of vehicles in a column of no more than four people in a row. In front and behind the column on the left side there should be accompanying persons with red flags, and in the dark and with insufficient visibility - with lit lanterns: in front - white, behind - red.
21. Groups of children are allowed to drive only during daylight hours along sidewalks, footpaths or along pedestrian and bicycle paths, and in their absence, also along the side of the road in the direction of vehicles in a column of no more than two children in a row. Adult escorts with red flags must be in front and behind the column on the left side.
22. Pedestrians must cross the carriageway at pedestrian crossings (underground or elevated), and in their absence - at intersections along an imaginary continuation of the sidewalk or curb. If there is no pedestrian crossing or intersection in the visibility zone, it is allowed to cross the carriageway at a right angle to the edge of the carriageway in places where the road is clearly visible in both directions.
23. In places where traffic is regulated, pedestrians must be guided by the signals of a traffic controller or a pedestrian traffic light, and in their absence, by the signals of a traffic light regulating the movement of vehicles (hereinafter referred to as a traffic light).
24. Before crossing the carriageway at a pedestrian crossing where traffic is not regulated, pedestrians must assess the distance to approaching vehicles, their speed, and also make sure that it is safe to cross the carriageway.
25. Pedestrians are allowed to enter the carriageway outside the pedestrian crossing, where traffic is not regulated, only after they estimate the distance to approaching vehicles, their speed, make sure that it is safe to cross the carriageway and do not interfere with the movement of vehicles.
26. Pedestrians should not linger or stop on the carriageway unnecessarily. Pedestrians who do not have time to complete the crossing of the carriageway must stop at the "Safety Island". Pedestrians may continue to cross the carriageway only after making sure that it is safe to move on.
27. Pedestrians are prohibited from:
27.1. cross the carriageway outside the pedestrian crossing if there is a dividing strip on the road, as well as in places where pedestrian or road barriers are installed;
27.2. cross the carriageway outside the pedestrian crossing on roads where traffic is carried out in both directions and having four or more traffic lanes;
27.3. traffic on the road marked road sign ;
27.4. to enter the roadway because of a stopped vehicle or other obstacle that limits visibility, without making sure that there are approaching vehicles.
28. When an operational vehicle approaches, pedestrians are prohibited from entering the carriageway, and pedestrians on the carriageway must give way to the said vehicles.
29. It is allowed to wait for passenger vehicles of general use only on landing sites, and in their absence - on the sidewalk or roadside.
30. At tram stops that do not have boarding areas, it is allowed to enter the carriageway to board the tram only after it has completely stopped. After disembarking from the tram, pedestrians must clear the carriageway.
31. Embarkation and disembarkation of passengers is allowed only after a complete stop of the vehicle. This is done from the sidewalk, landing area or shoulder. If boarding or disembarking from a trackless vehicle is not possible from the sidewalk, boarding area or shoulder, boarding or disembarking is permitted from the side of the carriageway, provided that it is safe and does not interfere with the movement of other vehicles.
32. Passengers sitting in seats equipped with seat belts must wear seat belts while driving. Passengers of motorcycles, tricycles, quads and mopeds must wear a fastened motorcycle helmet while driving.
Passengers are prohibited from:
33.1. interfere with the driver or distract his attention while driving;
33.2. open the vehicle door while driving;
33.3. open the door of a stopped vehicle if this endangers traffic safety or interferes with other road users;
33.4. leave a seat without an invitation if the vehicle is stopped at the request of a police officer or a border guard (in the border zone).