Page 16 - February_2016_Life_In_Naples_Magazine

SOME TIPS FOR MOTORISTS ON

SHARING THE ROAD
WITH BICYCLISTS

by Beth Brainard, lane is too narrow to pass safely, wait until
Executive Director Naples Pathways Coalition the adjoining lane is clear to pass.

I t is frightening and often frustrating to encounter a large group of bicyclists, or • Do expect the unexpected. For
peloton, when you are driving. No one wants to crash and everyone wants to get example, bicycles will move out of the
where they’re going as quickly as possible. bicycle lane to avoid debris. A vehicle as
Here some tips for sharing the road with groups of bicyclists. small as a bike cannot drive over a piece of
• Don’t be rattled if you hear a lot of shouting. Group riders are not yelling at you muffler without crashing.
(most of the time). It is how they communicate to each other that there is debris in the road,
that a stop sign is coming, or that a car is approaching. The message begins with the one • Do check for bicyclists before
rider and is repeated – in a loud voice – by each following rider down the line or up the line making a right turn and don’t turn in front
depending upon the circumstances. of them.

• Don’t be offended if you see hand gestures. Group riders’ hand signals are not meant • Do treat a bicycle or bicycles turning
for you (most of the time). They are indicating to their fellow riders that they are turning or left in the lane like you would any other
stopping, or they are pointing out something dangerous on the street. slow moving vehicle. Don’t attempt to
pass in the turn.
• Don’t be intimidated by the outfits. Serious cyclists, just like serious golfers or swimmers,
wear gear that is functional and protective.The spandex shorts and tops create the least amount • Remember when you are parked on a
curb to check for bicyclists before opening
PHOTO CREDIT: STEPHEN WRIGHT your door on the traffic side. Ouch!

of wind resistance; the helmets, gloves, and dark shades protect against falls, blisters, and sun; and • Don’t be surprised when some
the bright colors ensure that bicyclists are visible to motorists. When you encounter bicyclists in pelotons break traffic laws. Who doesn’t?
the coffee shop and their shoes go “clickity-clickity” when they walk, it is because there are clips Seriously, there is a growing movement
on the bottom that fasten to the pedals for more powerful pedaling. See, not so scary after all. among local bike clubs that sponsor group
rides to educate their members about the
• Do treat bicycles on the street the same way you would treat a car. It is legal for bicycles to traffic laws. Southwest Florida Cyclists
operate on the street, and when they do they have the same rights and legal obligations as cars. and Naples Velo are conducting riding
skills workshops and emphasizing safety
• Do provide at least three feet of room when passing bicyclists.This is a law in Florida. If the and etiquette before each of their rides.

Naples Pathways Coalition is working
with the City of Naples and the Collier
County Sheriff ’s Office on educational
programs about traffic laws for motorists,
bicyclists, and law enforcement officers.

Conditions are improving in the
greater Naples area, but more work needs
to be done to make this community safe
for ALL users of the roadways. In the
meantime, both motorists and bicyclists
can contribute to making our community
more bikeable and drivable by employing
common sense and common courtesy on
the roads.

16 Life in Naples | February 2016