Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Bike Sense - Manual (Page 17)

B I K E S E N S E — T H E W I S C O N S I N B I C Y C L E O P E R A T O R ’ S M A N U A L 17
The law requires traffic moving less than the normal speed of traffic
to keep as close as practicable to the right.
This does not mean hugging the curb or roadway edge.
Ride on the right, in the same direction as other traffic.
Ride no closer than 3 feet from parked cars
to avoid being hit by an opening door.
Be assertive
Be assertive but remember that a conflict between a bicyclist and a
motor vehicle usually results in injury to the bicyclist. It is best to
remember that, when in doubt, do not bicycle beyond your confidence
level.
By Wisconsin State law, bicycles are vehicles and riders have the same
rights and duties as operators of motor vehicles. The same rules of
right-of-way, traffic signs and signals apply to bicyclists as apply to
motorists. If you are in doubt about the rules of the road, obtain a copy
of the Wisconsin Motorists Handbook. A bicycle law sheet and wallet
card are available from the Department of Transportation or the Bicycle
Federation of Wisconsin.
Ride on the right, in the same direction as other traffic.
Some people still believe that bicyclists are like pedestrians and should
ride facing traffic. This is not only illegal, but has also been shown to
dramatically increase the risk of a collision. Drivers won’t expect a road
Check ahead and shift into a lower gear well in advance of hills. Use
a gear that gives you a fast comfortable pedal rotation speed
(cadence) of around 70-90 revolutions per minute. Change gears
often to maintain this average cadence. Pedaling in a gear that is too
high can damage your knees and tire you out on a long ride.
Turning
Practice turning to give yourself a feel for how sharply, and at what
speeds, you can turn comfortably and safely. As you lean into cor-
ners, keep your inside pedal up to avoid catching the pedal on the
road.
Think and plan your next 30 seconds
Anticipate behavior and movements of other road users and hazards
that might appear. Make eye contact and observe the traffic on the
road ahead, behind and around you. Practice this so that it becomes
automatic behavior.
Shift your weight back during an
emergency stop.
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