With the increased number of recreational bicycling on Daniel Island, now is the perfect time to review bicycle safety and etiquette with your children and teenagers. Whether they are new cyclists out on their own for the first time or seasoned ones, bicycle safety and proper bike etiquette are important things to always keep in mind.
The purpose of this article is not to promote bike riding at this time as we all should be continuing to do our part in trying to flatten the COVID-19 curve by staying home.
At the same time, we realize that many families are taking an occasional bike ride to relieve stress and maintain physical and mental health. Currently, the Governor’s orders allow physical exercise or recreation as long as you are practicing safe physical and social distancing by trying to maintain at least six feet from others to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, do not gather in groups or in crowded areas and keep your time outside to a minimum. Try timing your rides for when you know your route will be less crowded and do not go out if you are feeling ill. When finished with your bike ride, be sure and sanitize or wipe down your bike, helmet and any other equipment that you may have used. While wearing a mask is not required, if you feel comfortable and safe wearing one, you could use that as an extra precaution.
We are all aware of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on normal day-to-day life, and the option to go on a bike ride, whether that be solo or with someone in your household has continued to be a form of exercise enjoyed by many Daniel Island residents as a form of recreation.
The below tips are just a few of the more important proper safety tips that all bike riders should be reminded of while on their bikes:
- Ride your bike responsibly. All States require bicyclists on the roadway to follow the same rules and responsibilities as motorists.
- Bike safety begins with putting on a helmet with a proper fit so your helmet can best protect you.
- Bicycles shall not be operated in a reckless manner. Any person, adult or child, who is permitted to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk must — at all times — ride the bicycle with due care and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians using the sidewalk.
- Be focused and alert to the road and all traffic around you and anticipate what others may do, before they do it.
- Ride with the flow, in the same direction as traffic.
- Obey street signs, signals, and road markings, just as if you were in a vehicle.
- Assume the other person doesn’t see you or know that you may be coming up from in front of, but particularly from behind them. If your bike has a bell or a horn on it – be sure and use it from a good distance before approaching the pedestrian and then maybe again as you get closer if it appears that they did not notice you the first time, you can use it once again as you are getting closer. You can also “verbally” announce that you are approaching them by saying “Good Morning or Good Afternoon Bicycle Approaching”.
- No texting, listening to music or using anything that distracts you by taking your eyes and ears or your mind off the road and traffic.
This City of Charleston Bike Rules pamphlet is a great tool to use when talking to your kids about proper biking etiquette.
It is important that both pedestrians and cyclists be aware of their surroundings and abide by the rules of the road for everyone’s safety and enjoyment. Thank you and stay safe!
