COMMUNITY
Public Safety
ROSS TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
CYCLE SAFETY
You pass them every day; on your way to work, home, or maybe
on your way to Ross Park Mall to do some shopping. Cyclists.
They are a part of our community and are constantly growing in
numbers. Recent statistics show that approximately 66.5 million
people nationwide report that they have cycled in some form
in the last 12 months. Many do it as an alternative means of
transportation to save money on fuel and other vehicle related
expenses. Others cycle in an effort to be green and help lessen
the impact they have on this planet. Still more do it for fitness
or recreational purposes to help them lead a healthier lifestyle.
Whatever their reasons, the majority of us have all had an
interaction with some kind of cyclist. Most of those interactions
may have probably been positive, yet a few may not have
been. In this article we are going to discuss some of the legal
responsibilities of both cyclists and motorists in hopes that we can
all learn to better share the road with each other and maybe turn
a few of those future negative interactions into positive ones.
Many of us have seen the signs along the road or heard the media
campaigns “Share the Road.” But what exactly are the
responsibilities and duties of a cyclist when traveling on a
roadway, and what are those of a motorist when approaching a
cyclist traveling on that roadway?
To start, Pennsylvania defines a pedalcycle as “A vehicle propelled
solely by human-powered pedals.” It goes on to state that “Every
person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway shall be granted all
of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to
the driver of a vehicle.” So what does this mean? To the motorist, it
means that cyclist has the right to operate on the same roadways
as you and that it’s your responsibility to do your part to help
ensure their safe travel. To a cyclist, it means that since you are
entitled to operate on the roadway the same as a motor vehicle,
you are responsible to follow the same rules of the road as a
motor vehicle. It also means that it is everyone’s responsibility
to be kind, courteous, and respectful to the rights of all cyclists,
pedestrians and motorists traveling on or along our roadways.
Much of the confusion and frustration surrounding cyclists
traveling on roadways comes from a lack of understanding of the
rules of the road, both by cyclists and motorists. When neither
drivers nor cyclists fully understand their duties dangerous
situations may arise. According to the NHTSA (National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration), in 2015 818 people were killed as a
result of bicycle/vehicle crashes. With more than 800 deaths, it’s
not hard to imagine the profound impact of preventable collisions
on the families of victims. While not all crashes are avoidable,
many are, and it’s our responsibility as both cyclists and motorist
to learn, understand, and respect the rules of the road in order to
safely coexist while travelling.
In 2012 Pennsylvania enacted a safe passing law that requires a
motorist to give a cyclist a four (4) foot safety gap between the
motor vehicle and cycle while passing. Often motorists will
attempt to pass a cyclist while remaining within the lane of travel.
If we consider the average lane of a roadway is 12 feet wide, and
an average motor vehicle is 6 feet wide, it is impossible to pass
while remaining in the same lane of travel and allowing for the
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