If you haven’t ridden a bike since you were a child — or are teaching a child of your own the rules of the road for bicycles — you might need a little refresher on bike safety.
The easiest way to remember which side of the road you should be riding on — and whether traffic signs apply to bicyclists — is by making note of this: bicyclists must obey the rules of the road like any other vehicle. It’s important that bicyclists obey traffic signs and always check both ways before crossing the street. Bikes should ride in the same direction as other vehicles — on the right side of the street
To remain safe, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation recommends the following:
- Obey all traffic signs and laws
- Use hand signals
- Wear a properly fitted helmet
- Check your bike to be certain the tires are properly inflated, the seat is secure, the brakes work, the chain functions correctly and that your lights work
- Wear reflective or bright clothing and use lights when riding in the evening
- Always give yourself three feet of space — from the curb, parked cars and cars driving on the road
If you’re teaching a loved one about bicycle safety, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has a number of great resources for you, including:
- An easy-to-follow list (and pictures) of traffic signs, as well as a sign matching game
- Photos of hand signals and a hand signal match game
- A guide to determining the perfect fit for a bicycle helmet
