Ask a Trooper

[Lee Borgersen]

 




           Ask a Trooper:

 Motorists, bicyclists share responsibility for safety

By Sgt. Neil Dickenson, Minnesota State Patrol on Sep 20, 2015







Q: Does traffic have to wait for someone on a bicycle trying to cross at an intersection?



A: Bicyclists and motorists are equally responsible for safety on the road. The No. 1 contributing factor to bicycle-vehicle collisions is failure to yield the right-of-way — by bicyclists and drivers alike.

 

 

  ....
If the bicyclist is off the bicycle at an intersection and walks across, they have all the rights at the intersection as a pedestrian would. Motorists must stop for crossing pedestrians at every intersection, even those without crosswalks or stoplights. Motorists should stop far enough back so drivers in other lanes also can see the pedestrian in time to stop.

Those riding bicycles must obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists must.


Bicycle-vehicle collisions are due to a variety of behaviors by the rider, such as disregarding a traffic sign or signal, inattention and distraction.

Each year in Minnesota:

* Approximately 40 pedestrians and seven bicyclists are killed as a result of collisions with motor vehicles.

* As a group, pedestrians and bicyclists comprise nearly 10 percent of all traffic fatalities each year; 67 percent of these fatal crashes occur in urban areas.

* 40 percent of pedestrians and 21 percent of bicyclists killed had consumed alcohol.

* 19 percent of pedestrians killed were not crossing properly.

Rules of the road and safety tips:

* Bicyclists may ride on all Minnesota roads, except where restricted.


* Bicyclists should ride on the road and must ride in the same direction as traffic.

* Motorists must at all times maintain a 3-foot clearance when passing a bicyclist.

* Bicyclists must signal their turns and should ride in a predictable manner.

* Bicyclists must use a headlight and rear reflectors when it’s dark. To increase visibility, add a rear flashing light.

* Motorists must drive at safe speeds and be attentive — look for bicyclists and check blind spots.

* Drivers should use caution and look twice for riders when turning.

* Drivers should use caution when opening doors upon parking on the side of the road.

This is a great question and topic to talk about. I have seen an increase in bicycles on our roadways, so we all need to be extra cautious to prevent bicycle/pedestrian collisions with vehicles.


Sgt. Neil Dickenson is a public information officer with the Minnesota State Patrol.


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[ray634]

I constantly see riders going against traffic and riding thru stop signs. Whenever I see a grown biker riding the wrong way I assume they have failed 3rd when they had the right hand vs. left hand test.

The bikers want to claim same road same rules but only want to obey the rules they like. Too bad the police don't ticket these losers more often.

[glenn57]

I constantly see riders going against traffic and riding thru stop signs. Whenever I see a grown biker riding the wrong way I assume they have failed 3rd when they had the right hand vs. left hand test.

The bikers want to claim same road same rules but only want to obey the rules they like. Too bad the police don't ticket these losers more often.

+1