Drive Your Bike.  Bikes are vehicles too. Bike Safety Tip of the Week! Want to learn more about your legal rights (and responsibilities) as a bicyclist?  Check out Pedal Power: A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists by Ray Thomas and shared by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.

A Bicyclist's Rights and Responsibilities In Oregon, a bike is a vehicle and you are its driver.  You share the same rights and duties with all other drivers when you use the state and local roads. Download CAMPO's Drive Your Bike brochure Avoid riding your bicycle on sidewalks. Although riding on the sidewalk may seem like a safe option, motorists simply are not looking for bicyclists on the sidewalk. At every driveway and intersection there is a risk a driver will not see you, especially if you ride against traffic. If riding on a sidewalk, Oregon law states bicycles must be operated at a speed similar to ordinary walking whenever approaching or entering a crosswalk, driveway, curb cut or pedestrian ramp.   While on a sidewalk, a bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.           Respect pedestrians at all times, whether on the road or sidewalk       Share the road Ride in the bike lane or right side of the travel lane whenever possible.  If there is no bike lane or the lane is narrow, you may ride in the middle of the lane just like a car.  Always use hand signals and be predictable. The best place to be in the lane is at least three feet away from any parked cars so that you are outside the “door zone” where car doors might open into the lane. Maintain a consistent lane position and avoid weaving. Any drivers behind you will appreciate your predictability of riding in a straight line. When asserting a position in the center of a travel lane, ride close to the normal speed of vehicle traffic.  For more information about  sharing the road, consult the Oregon Pedestrian and Bicycle Rules:  http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/docs/Bike/Form_737-3407_Ped-BikeRules_02-10-11.pdf Use your signals Bicyclists on the roadway are required to signal for a distance of 100 feet before a turn.  Because your signaling hand is part of your steering, signal when it is safe to do so. Use eye contact whenever possible. When you can make eye contact with drivers you know that they see you. You can also use eye contact to determine where the blind spots are with larger vehicles. When approaching a large vehicle, make eye contact with the driver in the rear view mirror to make sure that they see that you are there. Check Your Brakes Your brakes should work smoothly, even in the rain.  When you squeeze the lever, it should not ‘bottom out’ against the handlebars.  When you let go of the brakes, they should come away cleanly from the wheel’s rim.  Good tires will also help ensure you are able to stop efficiently. For more articles on bicycle maintenance, bicyclist safety, commuting by bicycle, and bicycle-related equipment at REI.com  http://www.rei.com/bikeyourdrive Be visible In low light conditions, use a bright white light on the front of your bike and a red LED light on the rear.  Make sure they are bright and well-functioning, and change the batteries regularly. Reflective tape can be added to your helmet or fenders. Wear bright, reflective clothing.  Bright yellow and lime green are ideal in most light conditions. Wear a helmet Helmets are mandatory for cyclists in Oregon under the age of 16, unless wearing a helmet “would violate a religious belief or practice of the person”. Helmets can protect cyclists at any age; however. A properly fitted and safety-approved helmet can prevent head injuries.  Buy a helmet that meets the consumer safety standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Make sure it fits snugly. Most helmets come with fitting pads to adjust the fit to your head. These are important because a helmet can only protect your head if you wear it properly.  Local bike shop staff can help you properly fit your helmet. Additional information on safety gear options: http://drivelesssavemore.com/pages/helmets-safety-gear-options Benefits of Cycling 1. Save money Spend less on gas Maintenance costs for your automobile will also decrease You will save money on parking (and tickets) You won't have to have a membership to a gym to workout. 2. Stay Fit Bicycle commuting allows you to include your workout in your daily schedule (The average person loses 13 pounds their first year of commuting by bike!)* Riding a bike instead of your car sitting in traffic is less stressful.  Arrive to work refreshed and full of energy – and let the stress out on your ride home. Staying in better shape will decrease your chances of getting sick 3. Less pollution Automobiles produce toxic substances that pollute the ground, air and water Burning fossil fuels creates CO2 that contributes to climate change Automobiles also produce noise pollution 4.  Avoid rush-hour traffic Off-road trails, bike lanes and wide curb lanes allow you to ride past traffic Design your bike route to avoid high-congestion areas Bike commuting can take less time once you account for car parking and traffic *Drive Less. Save More. website Sources: FHWA, League of American Bicyclists and Drive Less, Save More. Want to start biking to work?  Commuter Gear 101 Picking a bike Road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, cross bikes, touring bikes all work great  - it depends on what works best for you. Carrying capacity A rear rack and panniers, a basket on the front or a backpack all work well.  Many commuters use panniers, although baskets and backpacks may be more affordable options.  Fenders Full fenders are recommended, especially for bike commuting in Oregon!  They will keep you dry and keep mud, dirt and debris off of you. Lights Headlights are mandatory at night; white in front with a red light in back.  Wear bright or reflective clothing.  You may also want to wear reflective ankle straps (which also keep your pants from getting caught in the chain) or apply reflective tape to your helmet or bike. Clothing For short commutes, you may want to just ride in your work clothes at a relaxed pace.  For longer or more strenuous commutes, cycling specific clothing may be preferable.  Use waterproof and breathable fabrics to stay comfortable and dry.  Panniers oftentimes have compartments to store a change of clothes and toiletries.  Having an ankle strap to keep your pants out of your bike chain is also important! Safety Always wear a helmet while riding your bike no matter what.  Be predictable and follow the rules of the road Tools & Spare Parts Bring only tools that you know how to use; a pump is a necessity.  You may also want to carry a multi-tool with allen wrenches, screwdriver and a chain tool; be sure you know how to use them Carry a spare tube and patch kit at all times; keep another spare at work.  Know the condition of your bike and its parts by inspecting it regularly.  You may want to keep a few spare parts that need regular replacement at work Lock Use a high-security U-lock; don't wait until your bike is stolen to invest in a good lock.  Lock your bike to an immovable object in a highly visible area.  Secure both wheels and other components if they can be easily removed Flat prevention Tire liners and flat resistant tires go a long way to help decrease flat tire occurrence.  Replace tires when they are worn out; check pressure with a gauge and be familiar with how much air your tires lose each week What should I know as a motorist? Bicycles are considered vehicles when operated on roadways in Oregon.  Bicyclists in a travel lane have the same rights and responsibilities as a motorist. Share the road Bicyclists may take and entire lane, particularly on slow-moving, narrow roadways.  Bicyclists have the right to ride in the center of a travel lane if they feel it is too narrow for a motor vehicle to pass them or they feel their safety is compromised.  Scan for bicyclists in traffic and give them the appropriate right-of-way. Motorists are prohibited from driving and/or parking in a bicycle lane. Watch for bicyclists Watch for bicyclists when parallel parking and opening your car door.  Always be cautious when approaching an intersection or crossing a sidewalk.  While bicycling on sidewalks is generally discouraged, bicyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks at the same speed as a pedestrian. Take care at intersections Intersections and driveway crossings are the most dangerous places for bicyclists.  Obey speed limits and come to a complete stop at stop signs. Before turning left at an intersection, yield to bicyclists coming toward you.  They are often travelling faster than they appear. Allow extra time for bicyclists to cross through intersections. Be careful when turning right at an intersection to ensure a bicyclist has not ridden up on your right-hand side. Pass bicyclists with care Reduce your speed and keep a safe distance when passing a bicyclist.  Treat them as you would a slow-moving car – don’t tailgate and wait until traffic conditions will allow you to safely pass.  Check over your shoulder after passing a bicyclist before moving back into a travel lane in front of them.  Do no blast your horn. Bike maps and resources City of Corvallis bicycle and pedestrian programs http://www.ci.corvallis.or.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=120&Itemid=401 Oregon Department of Transportation bicycle and pedestrian programs http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/ Corvallis & Benton County Bicycle Map http://www.ci.corvallis.or.us/downloads/pw/citybikemap.pdf Drive Less. Save More.  http://drivelesssavemore.com/ Bicycle Transportation Alliance  http://www.bta4bikes.org/ Oregon Department of Transportation bicyclist safety resources http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/bicyclistsafety.shtml Articles on bicyclist safety, bicycle maintenance, commuting by bicycle, and bicycle-related equipment at REI.com  http://www.rei.com/bikeyourdrive League of American Bicyclists – Tips for Commuters http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/better/commuters.php Portland State University Bike Hub – Winter Riding Tips http://www.pdx.edu/bikehub/winter-riding Oregon Pedestrian and Bicycle Rules  http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/docs/Bike/Form_737-3407_Ped-BikeRules_02-10-11.pdf Educational efforts funded by the Federal Highway Adminstration (FHWA)