Bicyclists and motorists: Listen up!

By MARY L. WENTWORTH

Published on October 10, 2008

Memo to drivers: Under state law, cyclists have the same right to Massachusetts streets as you do, with the exception of highways where signs specifically prohibit bikes. "Share the road" applies to everyone. In other words, if bikers believe that their safety requires them to take the middle of the lane, it is perfectly legal for them to do so.

You must yield the right of way to a biker on the same basis as you would to another motorist. When making a right hand turn, use your side mirror to ascertain if you would be turning into the path of a cyclist. Make it a habit to check to see if a cyclist is approaching before opening your door after parking your car in a business district.

Just as you look for cars when you are about to pull out of a driveway or a side street, look for pedestrians or cyclists. An indication that you see them and that they may safely pass in front of you will be appreciated.

The rest of this column speaks to you cyclists: Please take the time to understand what is required of you.

State law prohibits the riding of bicycles on sidewalks in business districts. (This includes downtown Amherst and Northampton.) Sidewalk riding is otherwise permitted unless local laws prohibit it.

You must obey all traffic laws and regulations of the commonwealth. This includes stopping at stop signs and crosswalks, and obeying lights at intersections. You may use either hand but you must signal to let others know if you plan to stop or turn. You may pass cars on the right. (Be careful at intersections where it is safer to move through it behind a car unless you are making a right-hand turn.)

You must give pedestrians the right of way and you must give them an audible signal, but not with a siren or a whistle, before passing. (Although not required, a bell on your handlebar is useful for this purpose.)

Unless passing another cyclist, you must ride single file, keeping one hand on your handlebars at all times.

If you carry children or other passengers inside an enclosed trailer or other device that will adequately restrain them and protect their heads in a crash, they need not wear helmets.

If you are 16 years old or younger, you must wear a helmet that meets American National Standards Institute requirements at all times. The helmet must fit your head and the chin strap must be fastened. (Common sense dictates that all cyclists wear helmets.)

You may not carry anything on your bike unless it is in a basket, rack, bag or a trailer designed for the purpose.

You may not modify your bike so that your hands are higher then your shoulders when gripping the handlebars nor may you alter the fork of your bike to extend it. You may not carry a passenger anywhere on your bike except on a regular seat permanently attached to the bike, or in a trailer towed by the bike.

A child under the age of 1 can only be carried in a trailer. A child between the ages of 1 and 4, or weighing 40 pounds or less, may be in a baby seat attached to the bike. The child must be able to sit upright in the seat and be restrained by a harness or seatbelt with hands and feet out of reach of wheel spokes.

But wait ... there's more state laws for cyclists. For a complete text, see the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Chapter 85, Sections 11a through 11d.

MassBike is a statewide organization with a chapter in the Pioneer Valley. Visit MassBike.org for more information. Check out their Go By Bike! for tips about riding safely.

Mary L. Wentworth is a member of The Commons Group, an organization advocating for sustainability measures in Amherst.