How to Ride in Bike Lanes

HOW TO RIDE IN BIKE LANES

Safety considerations
• Bikes are not required to travel in bike lanes when preparing for turns
• Never ride within three feet of parked cars; beware of the door zone
• Avoid bike lanes that you think are poorly designed or unsafe; alert your local government

Intersections
• Avoid riding in lanes that position you on the right side of a right turn lane
• Always signal as you move out of a bike lane into another traffic lane

Debris
• Report obstructions and poor maintenance to your local government
• Avoid riding immediately adjacent to curbs where trash collects
• If debris forces you out of the bike lane, signal your move out into traffic

Parked cars
• Never ride within three feet of parked cars
• Watch for brake lights, front wheels, signals and driver movements
• Position yourself in the field of vision of a motorist pulling out of a parking space

Right turns
• Ride in the rightmost lane that goes in the direction that you are travelling
• Avoid riding in lanes that position you on the right side of a right turning motorist
• Move out of the right turn lane if you are not turning right

Left turns
• Move out of the bike lane well in advance of the intersection; signal every move
• Position yourself in the rightmost left-turning lane
• Reposition yourself after executing the turn; remain clear of parked cars