Bicycle Safety Tips From Northville Township Police

In the wake of a, which killed one bicyclist on Seven Mile Road last week, Northville Patch checked in with township police on safety tips for cyclists.

Here are some tips from township Public Safety Director John Werth to keep cyclists safe on the roads:

• Obey traffic lights, stop signs, one-way streets and other basic traffic laws. A bicyclist has the same rights and duties on the road as drivers of other vehicles, and some additional responsibilities.
• Ride as far "as practicable" to the right (or to the outside lanes on a one-way street), particularly when automobile traffic is moving faster than you are.
• Be prepared to yield at all times.
• Use hand signals when turning or moving from a lane.
• Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Give audible warning when overtaking a pedestrian.
• Keep at least one hand on handlebars. Keep control of the bicycle at all times.
• Saddlebags, racks, baskets, and backpacks are all good ways to carry packages, freeing your hands for safe riding
• Use a headlight with a white light visible from ahead, and a red reflector/light visible from behind, when riding from sunset to sunrise or whenever visibility is poor. Wear reflective clothing as well.
• Keep brakes adjusted so that, when braked, your bicycle skids on clean dry pavement.
• Ride astride a fixed seat. Riding "double" is discouraged.
• Ride no more than two abreast.

Come back soon for information for motorists, regarding the rights of bicyclists sharing the road.

There's also a lot of safety tips and other information on the Michigan League of Bicyclists website, which advocates for the rights of cyclists on the roads.