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Wisconsin Bike Sense Operator's Manual

Wisconsin bikesense operator's manual
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BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd
4/27/2004
8:46 PM
Page 1
Bike
Sense
THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR'S MANUAL
A GUIDE TO THE RULES OF THE ROAD, BICYCLE HANDLING,
TRAFFIC SKILLS AND THE ENJOYMENT OF BICYCLING LIFE

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Summary of Contents for Wisconsin Bike Sense

  • Page 1 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:46 PM Page 1 Bike Sense THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL A GUIDE TO THE RULES OF THE ROAD, BICYCLE HANDLING, TRAFFIC SKILLS AND THE ENJOYMENT OF BICYCLING LIFE...
  • Page 2 This manual is not a proper legal authority to cite and should not be relied upon in a court of law. In the event of a difference between material included in Bike Sense and the Wisconsin State Statutue, the state law shall apply.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Bicycling & traffic skills Wisconsin Bicycle Laws Two-Minute Bike Check Bicycling Resources & Advocacy 4/27/2004 Contents Why bicycle? Equipment Visibility Who can you contact? Public Transit Crashes Avoiding Crashes Bicycle security Trail Ettiquette 8:46 PM Page 3...
  • Page 4 To do this, bicyclists must understand how to operate their bicycles as vehicles and how they fit into the flow of traffic. Bike Sense provides information on traffic laws and riding strategies to help bicyclists understand their rights, responsibilities and how best to protect their own safety in traffic.

  • Page 5: Why Bicycle

    Bicycling is practical and cost effective. Bicycling is good for the environment. Bike Sense is designed to make your bicycling safe and enjoyable. energy levels. Bicycling can improve personal health, and a healthier pop- ulation will ease pressure on health care costs.

  • Page 6: Equipment

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:46 PM Page 6 Equipment To ride your bicycle safely and efficiently it is important to have all equipment operating smoothly and properly. Your Bike What to consider when buying a bike: What type of bike to buy depends on a number of factors. The best advice is, “Talk to your local bike shop staff.”...
  • Page 7 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Will I be carrying things? Commuters and bicyclists carrying gear while traveling should buy a bike that can accommodate a rack and added weight. How devoted a cyclist do I want to be? Is this bike going to be used every day, or only a few times a year? How important is quality, dura- bility and speed? Is riding position important? Consider back, shoulder, neck or knee...
  • Page 8 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Bicycle brakes work less efficiently when they are wet. Aluminum rims have much better braking performance than steel rims. Rear derailleur Bottom bracket Cassette, cogs Chain ring Seat post Seat tube Seat/saddle Chain 4/27/2004 road or street riding, a one-inch to three-inch space is safest. If your bike has no top tube or a slanted top tube, ask your bicycle store’s staff to size you.
  • Page 9 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Sit on your bike and push one pedal all the way down. With the heel of your foot on the pedal, your knee should be slightly bent and your leg almost straight. If your hips rock from side to side when you pedal, your seat’s too high.
  • Page 10 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:47 PM Page 10 All traditional bicycle brakes work less effectively when they are wet. Aluminum rims have much better braking performance than steel rims in wet conditions. It is dangerous to have only one brake in working order. Make sure both front and rear brakes work properly and have regular maintenance performed by a bicycle mechanic.
  • Page 11 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Panniers (saddle bags) Panniers allow you to comfortably and safely carry a load while keep- ing your hands on the handlebars and, by keeping your center of gravity low, they increase stability. These bicycle-mounted packs also keep the weight off your bottom, reducing ‘saddle sores’ and back pain.
  • Page 12 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd wrong right To be effective, the bicycle helmet must fit correctly and be worn proper- ly.When in doubt, check with a bike shop for the proper adjustment of your approved bicycling helmet. Studies show that wearing a properly fitted helmet will greatly reduce the chances of sustaining a head injury 4/27/2004 B = Brakes.

  • Page 13: Visibility

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:47 PM Page 13 Visibility As a narrow vehicle, bicyclists can be less visible to motorists. It is therefore extremely important for bicyclists to use every means possible to make themselves conspicuous. Position yourself where motorists are looking The Wisconsin State law requires bicyclists to keep to the right, but that does not mean hugging the curb.
  • Page 14 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd It is especially important to increase visibility to others after dark, at dawn, or dusk, or in bad weather, such as rain, fog or snow. 4/27/2004 Wear brightly colored clothing Wear brightly colored clothing such as neon green, yellow and orange, and/or wear a safety vest, day or night.

  • Page 15: Bicycling & Traffic Skills

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:48 PM Page 15 Bicycling & Traffic Skills Always make hand signals well in advance of any turn to increase communication with other road users. Practice stopping as quickly as possible to get a feel for how much distance is needed at different speeds and under different conditions.
  • Page 16 left turn alternate right turn right turn Ride Defensively. The single most important rule is to remain alert and be prepared for unpredictable moves or mistakes by others. Harder / higher gear Easier / lower gear Hand signals Wisconsin state law requires bicyclists to use the same hand signals as motorists.
  • Page 17 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 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.
  • Page 18 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd If there is no shoulder or bike lane and the curb lane is narrow, bicyclists may chose to use the whole lane by riding in the center of it. This can be safer than riding far to the right, which may encourage motorists to squeeze by where there isn’t sufficient space.
  • Page 19 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd If you are uncomfortable in the center of the lane, consider taking an alternative route. It is important to bicycle within your confidence limits and comfort when dealing with heavy or high-speed traffic. See the Wisconsin Bicycle Laws in the appendix. 346.80(2)(a) lists conditions when it is not practicable to ride far right.
  • Page 20 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Never make a left turn from the right side of the road, even if you are in a bike lane. If you cannot get into the proper lane position to turn left, make a pedestrian-style left turn. 4/27/2004 your destination: right third if you are turning right, center if you are going straight, and left third if you are turning left.
  • Page 21 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd goes straight ahead. Do not ride in a right-turn-only lane if you are going straight. Right turn only lanes when going straight If the curb lane becomes a right-turn-only lane, you will need to change lanes to go straight. Look over your shoulder for traffic, sig- nal, and then go to the right side of the closest straight-through lane when an opening appears.
  • Page 22 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Rain makes roads, metal and paint slippery, especially after a long dry period. Slow down and leave extra room to stop. Visibility is poor in wet weather. Ride defensively and increase your visibility 4/27/2004 Passing on the left When overtaking slower moving traffic, you may pass on their left and should allow at least three feet of clearance.
  • Page 23 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd driver cannot see you. Avoid riding in these blind spots and only pass slow moving large vehicles on the left. In urban areas watch for right-turning buses and semis, since their length and rear overhang require more space than you might expect. Large vehicles will often move toward the left lane in preparation for a right turn.
  • Page 24 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Special care should be taken when transporting small children by bicycle. All children should wear an approved bicycle helmet and should be secured by a seat belt system when in a trailer or bicycle child seat. 4/27/2004 Weather hazards Rain makes roads slippery, especially after a long dry period.
  • Page 25 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Traffic signals Many traffic signals are triggered by electrically charged wires buried under the pavement. When a vehicle passes over or stops over the wires, the metal disrupts the current, which sends a signal to a traffic light control box. Most bicycles contain enough metal to trigger the light, but you should know where the most sensitive spots are.
  • Page 26 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd being used at night. Bike trailers should also have a bike flag attached to the trailer to improve visi- bility since they are lower to the ground. All chil- dren should wear an approved bicycle helmet and should be secured by a seat belt system when in a trailer or in a bicycle child seat.

  • Page 27: Who Can You Contact

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Bicyclists are a legitimate and recognized part of traffic, and they have a legal right to safe riding conditions on our roads. There are individuals at the local, state, and national level who can help you. Who can you contact? While bicycle commuters may sometimes feel embattled and overlooked, there are, in fact, a...
  • Page 28 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd in local issues. Find out which committee best addresses bicycling issues. In Madison this would be the Pedestrian/Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Commission. The UW and Dane County also each have a Pedestrian/Bicycle Sub-committee. Below are helpful resources for bicycle information in the area: City of Madison www.ci.madison.wi.us/transp/bicycle.html Pedestrian-Bicycle Coordinator...

  • Page 29: Public Transit

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Public Transit Bus Bike Racks Madison Metro has bike racks on its buses. The racks each hold two bicycles and are easy to use. Instructions on how to use the racks can be found on the rack or the Madison Metro website: www.mymetrobus.com There is no charge for taking your bike on the bus.

  • Page 30: Crashes

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd The Support Arm needs to be raised so that the hook rests at the highest point on the front wheel. Board the bus and enjoy the ride! Choose a seat near the front of the bus to keep an eye on your bike.
  • Page 31 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd If you are in a crash with a motor vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian, don't ride away or shake off what seems like a minor injury. You might find later that it is worse than you thought. Bicycling injuries often don’t manifest themselves until much later.

  • Page 32: Avoiding Crashes

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd failure to drive with due care and attention, etc.). Depending on the location of the incident and the caseload of the local police, you may find the authorities reluctant to follow up on a report. It is important to avoid making ‘nuisance’ complaints. However, if your concern is of a serious nature, obtain a police report number and follow up on the outcome.

  • Page 33: Wisconsin Bicycle Laws

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd All bicyclists should be aware that the three most common motorist-caused bicycle/motor vehicle collisions are: • An oncoming driver turns left in front of the bicyclist. • A driver on a cross street stops, and then pulls out directly in front of the bicyclist. •...
  • Page 34 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Use of Shoulders • Bicycles may be ridden on the shoulder of a highway unless prohibited by local authorities. [386.04(1m)] Riding 2-Abreast • Riding 2 abreast is permitted on any street as long as other traffic is not impeded. When rid- ing 2 abreast on a 2 or more lane roadway, you both have to ride within a single lane.

  • Page 35: Bicycle Security

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd sidewalks, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning when passing pedestrians traveling in the same direction. [346.804] • At intersections and other sidewalk crossings (alleys, driveways), a bicyclist on the sidewalk has the same rights and duties as pedestrians. [346.23, 24, 25, 37, 38] Bicycle Security Talk to your local bicycle store about the right...
  • Page 36 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4. Grab the top of the front wheel and try to rock it side to side. If you feel any play your hub bear- ings need adjustment. Repeat steps (1) through (4) for the rear. Also check the vertical alignment of the rear derailleur’s roller cage (it should be in the same plane as the freewheel cogs).

  • Page 37: Trail Ettiquette

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd Trail Etiquette • Whether you are walking, biking, jogging, or roller blading, stay on the right side of the path except to pass. • Faster users must yield to slower users. When approaching another user, slow down and give the person plenty of space.

  • Page 38: Two-Minute Bike Check

    BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin… Help Us Make Wisconsin a Better Place to Bicycle! All members get our quarterly newsletter, our annual event booklet, and discounts at select bike shops throughout the state and on BFW merchandise…plus updates and representation on bike issues! The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin is a statewide membership-based nonprofit bicycle education and advocacy organization.

  • Page 39: Bicycling Resources & Advocacy

    Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin welcomes all comments, suggestions, and additional bicycling information for Bike Sense from across the state. To reach us, or to order copies of the manual, contact: Bike Sense was edited by Robbie Webber with considerable assistance from Arthur Ross, Peter Flucke, and Marjorie Ward.
  • Page 40 BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:49 PM Page 40 T H E 5 B A S I C P R I N C I P L E S : Maintain your bicycle in good working order. Be as visible as possible to others. Learn the skills needed to control your bicycle.

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