Sgt. Jason Browning of the Folsom Police Department offered this guide to having a safe bicycling experience this summer which Sacto 911 thought worth sharing:
"May is Bike Month in the Sacramento Region, and Folsom is the #1 destination for quality cycling. Whether you use Folsom's BMX track at Cummings Family Park, or travel on the city's 35 miles of Class I bicycle and pedestrian trails that traverse Folsom, the California Vehicle Code has sections that apply to you.
"All bicycles are required to have a brake and reflectors, so if you've been neglecting yours, then you'd better get to work bringing that bike back into compliance. If you are riding at dawn, or after dusk, then the law requires that your bicycle or scooter has a fixed headlight and an illuminated tail light. While everyone SHOULD be wearing a bicycle helmet by now, if your under 18 years of age, you MUST wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet. These simple and cheap safety precautions should make you road safe.
"When you hit the roadway, the vehicle code has more laws to make sure you operate your bike safely. First of all, in the absence of any bicycle lanes, a bicycle is held to the same standards as a motor vehicle. That means stop at those stop lights, stop signs, and yield to pedestrians in cross walks. Use proper hand signals when making turning movements and no parking on the sidewalk (seriously). You must also never ride a bicycle when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
"When using the roadway, you must ride on the right side of the roadway in the same direction as the flow of traffic. Your bike must always travel in provided bike lanes (so no side by side treks when traffic is affected), and bicycles should never be stopped or parked, and riders should never loiter in bicycle lanes obstructing fellow riders.
"Having your friends or children ride on your handlebars is no longer acceptable. For safety's sake, riders should only ride on properly mounted seats. Finally, 'free handed' coasting, no matter how good you are at it, is an offense. If you are carrying home the groceries, or holding an iPod, you must maintain at least one hand on the handle bars at all times.
"All of the above described offenses are a violation of the California Vehicle Code and are subject to citation if you are stopped by a peace officer. Please use due caution while riding to ensure the safety of your friends, your family, and your fellow cyclists. More information about Bike Month in Folsom can be found at www.MayisBikeMonth.org. Enjoy a safe summer cyclists."
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