Educating Houstonians in the fundamentals of bicyclist safety is one of the primary goals of the City of Houston’s Bikeway Program. It’s one of the six categories considered by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) when awarding its Bicycle Friendly Community designation. Approximately 90 communities throughout the United States have been awarded the “Bicycle Friendly Community” status (the City of Houston received an honorable mention in 2007).

The City of Houston had partnered with the League of American Bicyclists to program free web-based bicyclist education. The website address is: www.bikeed.org

This web-based features the “classroom” portion of the LAB’s Traffic Skills 101 course curriculum. There are four chapters with insightful diagrams, videos and text that focus on Traffic Safety (lane selection, lane positioning, mobility through intersections), Rules of the Road (Traffic Laws specifically for bicyclists), the Bicycle Itself (gears, repairing, tire changing, maintenance) and Personal Safety (Safety equipment – lights, vests – tools for the road, nutrition). There are quizzes that will test participants and help them become more educating before going on longer bike rides, out of your neighborhood, perhaps to the store, or work, or the other side of town.

Upon completion of this on-line course, registered participants will be linked with Houston-area League Certified Instructors (LCI) to complete the “on the bike” portion of the course, which includes bike handling exercises, such as avoiding objects, emergency turning, traveling along roadways and through intersections. There are several dozen instructors within the greater Houston area that teach this course. These bike safety experts are working with the Lone Star Chapter of the MS Society to train their Ride Marshals in bike safety.

This website is available now to the public – for free. We hope you’ll check it out sometime.

Always remember the 7 Texas Bicycle Laws:

1. Ride in the same direction as traffic
2. Obey all traffic signs and signals
3. Use hand signals for turning and stopping
4. Maintain brakes capable of making the braked wheel skid
5. At least one hand on the handle bars at all times
6. One rider per saddle
7. At night, white light on front and red reflector or red light on back

 
Before you go for a ride, be sure to perform the ABC Quick Check:

A is for air – be sure your tires are properly inflated.

B is for brakes – do they provide enough stopping power, front and rear?

C is for cranks, chain and cassette – are they properly lubricated and clean?

Quick is for the wheel quick releases – be sure they are closed.

Check is for the final overall inspection before beginning your bike ride.

 
There are several principles of Traffic Law that all cyclists should remember:

1. Be visible: reflectors, lights, bright colored clothing, reflective safety vest
2. First come, first served
3. Drive on the right-hand side of the road
4. Yield to crossing traffic and when changing lanes
5. Position yourself in the appropriate travel lane at intersections according to the direction you are going; right turn, forward or left turn
6. Position yourself in your lane according to your speed

When commuting by bicycle, consider these important items for safety and convenience:

• Check for oncoming traffic before entering any street or intersection
• Ride on the right, with the flow of traffic. Use the lane furthest to the right that heads in the direction that you are traveling.
• Ride in the right third of the right-most lane of your desired direction
• Control the lane if there is insufficient road width for cyclists and cars to share.

When riding on Shared-Use Paths and Trails, please practice the following courtesies:

• Yield to slower users, especially children
• Obey speed limits posted for the safety of all users.
• Clearly announce when passing: “On your left” or “Passing on your left”
• Stay as close to the right as possible, except when passing and avoid hazards.

Learn more about the Houston Bikeway Program and cycling in Houston.