Westworld Alberta

toolkit Wheel to Wheel Chances are you'll be sharing space on the road this summer. Here's how to do it safely, whether you're on a bike seat or in the driver's seat Watch for bike lanes. Bike lanes are still relatively new to Alberta's traffic landscape. Drivers need to pay attention and apply the same principles to these as they do to regular lanes — shoulder-check when crossing one and don't cross where the lines are solid. For more on bike lane types, and usage tips, see p. 62. Lay off the horn. Avoid using your horn when cyclists are about — it's a lot louder outside, and you might startle them into swerving or crashing. TIPS FOR BOTH Know your hand signals. One of the primary ways cyclists communicate with drivers is hand signals, so both parties need to know the proper signifiers for left, right and stop (see the Basic Licence Driver's Handbook and bikesafety.caa.ca). Bicycles and vehicles share the road in Calgary. TIPS FOR CYCLISTS TIPS FOR DRIVERS Ride like a pro. Keep both of your feet on the pedals and both hands on your handlebars, except when you're signalling. Ride single file and never carry more people than the bike was designed for (one bum per seat). And please, people: wear a helmet. Cyclists without helmets are three times more likely to suffer head injuries in a crash and 20 times more likely to die. Give cyclists space. Don't follow too closely: cyclists stop more quickly and unexpectedly than motor vehicles. A three to four-second following distance is ideal. When passing a cyclist, leave at least one metre of clearance. If you're driving a large vehicle, such as an RV, change lanes to pass a cyclist. Act like a car. When you're sitting on your bicycle, you're a vehicle, not a pedestrian. So stay off sidewalks and crosswalks, and brake for pedestrians just as a motor vehicle would. Be visible and predictable. Equip your bike with a headlight, tail light, reflectors and bell. And ride as predictably as possible — try to avoid making sudden movements or swerving unexpectedly in traffic. That means keeping an eagle eye out for potholes, debris and other obstructions down the road, so that you can avoid them safely. Assume nothing. Don't trust that motorists are checking their mirrors consistently. And remember that large vehicles have huge blind spots. Slow down or stop, if necessary, to stay well behind a large vehicle — especially when it's crossing your path to turn right. Respect one another. You both have a right to space on the road. Though there's some confusion on that front, says Don Szarko of AMA Advocacy and Community Services. "Cyclists aren't sure of their place in traffic and motorists can feel entitled to their lane. It takes conscious cooperation to share the road." Remember: next time, it could just as easily be you on that bicycle, or behind that wheel. So give each other a break. Check, then check again. Scan your mirrors every five to eight seconds, and ahead from left to right, keeping in mind that cyclists are harder to see than other vehicles. Do a strong shoulder check prior to turns and lane changes, being extra-vigilant in areas with bike lanes and cycle traffic. Signal your intentions well in advance. For more tips on sharing the road safely, visit: bikesafety.caa.ca. Motorists say: "Cyclists When traffic incidents occur, cyclists and motorists tend to blame each other. 68% 74% of active cyclists involved in traffic incidents believe motorist error was the major factor. of drivers involved in traffic incidents believe cyclist error was the major factor. are unpredictable." Cyclists say: "Drivers don't pay attention." Both say: "There isn't enough room on the road — vehicles are too close to cyclists." Source: 2012 AMA Member Survey on Cycling (top) Ryan Creary/Getty Images, iStock p64-67_Toolkit.indd 65 W estworld >> M a y 2 0 1 3 65 13-04-12 1:26 PM

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