With the launch of the bike share program in Jefferson City, it is important to talk about the safety of everyone using the roads.
Safety comes from everyone following the same set of rules. Fortunately cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles and bicycles are all considered vehicles and all follow the same rules of the road. Following these laws creates an orderly environment that allows everyone to act and respond in a predictable manner.
Unfortunately, there are those who are unaware the rules of the road apply to motorist and cyclists alike. For cyclists one of the most common errors is riding on the left side of the road in the direction of oncoming traffic.
Riding on the left side of the road is illegal and far more dangerous than riding on the right. Cyclists riding on the left are 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a crash than those traveling with traffic. These crashes typically occur at intersections because motorists are scanning for vehicles moving in the lawful direction and overlook the bicycle coming from the wrong direction.
Another danger is the closing speed when vehicles are moving in opposite directions. If a person is riding a bike at 15 mph and is being approached by a vehicle going 30 mph the closing speed between the two vehicles is 15 mph. If on the other hand the same cyclist and vehicle are traveling towards each other the closing speed is 45 mph, which results in three times less reaction time.
Riding against traffic also creates a problem for passing vehicles. If a person on a bicycle is traveling with traffic, a trailing vehicle has the opportunity to slow down and follow the cyclist until it is safe to pass. In the case where the cyclist is riding against traffic, the approaching vehicle may be able to slow down but if the oncoming traffic is heavy they will not be able to move out of the lane to avoid the oncoming cyclist.
Another danger of riding against traffic is that none of the traffic signals are visible. This becomes a particular issue when a traffic signal has protected turning movements. The wrong way vehicle will not be able to see any of the signal indications and will not be able to determine who has been given the right of way.
David Bange became the City of Jefferson city engineer in 2013. He began working for the city in 2003, and had previously held the positions of design engineer, engineering supervisor and engineering division director.