Bike Lane Safety

5 Things to Do in Bike Lanes

  1. Drivers, when passing a bicyclist, leave at least a 3-foot distance from the bicyclist.
  2. Drivers, do allow bicyclists to use the entire traffic lane on shared routes.
  3. Drivers, watch for bicyclist when you are making a right turn across a bike lane.
  4. Bicyclists, do yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
  5. Do remember that bicyclists are allowed to make a right-hand turn at a steady red traffic-control signal without stopping, if first slowing to a reasonable speed and after yielding the right-of-way to any oncoming traffic that constitutes an immediate hazard.

4 Things NOT to Do in Bike Lanes

  1. Don't forget that on the road bicyclists should be treated as drivers of a vehicle, with all the rights and duties applicable, as set by State law and Municipal Code.
  2. Drivers, don't park in a bike lane.
  3. Bicyclists, don't ride in the direction opposite of the direction permitted for vehicular traffic traveling on the roadway.
  4. Bicyclists and drivers, don’t forget to signalize your turn.

Bike Lane How-tos for Drivers

How to Park Near Bike Lanes

  • Do NOT park in the bike lanes, including hatched bay areas.
  • Park away from bike lanes in parking spots only.
demonstration of how to park in parking spot near bike lane
demonstration for how handicap parking near bike lane
car incorrectly parked in the bike lane
visuals of how not to park near bike lanes

How Drivers Should Turn Right Near Bike Lanes

  • Cars should not speed up to turn in front of cyclists.
  • Cars must yield to cyclists to turn right.
graphic of the correct way to turn right near bike lane
graphic of incorrect right turn in bike lane

How Drivers Should Pass Cyclists on 2-Way Roads (Sharrow Lanes)

  • Don't pass without a safe distance.
  • Drivers may use the opposite traffic lane to pass with three feet of distance if there isn't oncoming traffic.
graphic showing how cars can pass bikes on two-lane road
graphic showing how cars shouldn't pass too close to cyclists

Bike Lane How-tos for Cyclists

How Cyclists Should Turn Left Using Bike Lanes

  • Do not turn into moving or stopped cars.
  • If possible, turn right into the cross street instead of turning left across traffic.
graphic showing how cyclists should turn left from bike lane
graphic showing how cyclists shouldn't turn left

Bike Lane How-tos for Residents

How to set trash cans/recycling bins near bike lanes

  • Don't block the bike lane.
  • Place cans in the hatched bay areas or the median grassy area.
graphic showing where to set trash cans near bike lane
graphic showing where not to place your trash bin in bike lane

Bike Resources

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