Despite some common perceptions, bicycling is not inherently dangerous, but there are risks involved – or “vulnerabilities.” There are also ways of riding defensively to minimize those situations. The tricky part is that it’s easy to forget that one is vulnerable when enjoying the freedom and pleasure of sailing down the street on a bicycle, especially for a young person who has not obtained a driver’s license yet.

In fact, for those of us who started riding as children, our first bicycle may have been presented as a toy to be ridden around the block or in the park.  We didn’t experience or think of ourselves as part of the “traffic” around us. As a result, w e may have developed (or were even taught) bad riding habits, out of ignorance. Unfortunately, so many of us were raised with the belief that bicycles are “toys” and not means of transportation, that poor riding skills and dangerous maneuvers are seen daily by cyclists  on the road.  Don’t include yourself in this group – learn the traffic laws and safe behaviors.

For Kids

Fortunately, there is a program in Marin and in communities across the U.S. called Safe Routes to Schools that helps children learn the rules early and develop safer cycling habits – which, according to statistics, may translate into safer adult driving habits as well.

The Safe Routes to Schools program provides classroom curriculum and on-the-bicycle training for grades 2, 4, and 6 and offers additional creative club activities for middle and high school kids. Fun contests are utilized as motivational and awareness-building exercises to draw attention to transportation choices and the benefits of daily physical activity. The program uniquely combines health, fitness, traffic relief, environmental awareness and safety into one comprehensive package.

For Adults

An interesting thing to notice about ourselves as adult cyclists is that most of us don’t like it when our beliefs about the way we drive are challenged – we suffer from denial, and an ego inflated by 4, 6, or 8 cylinders of power. It is fairly common to experience aggressive and self-centered feelings about our “right to the roadway” when driving in our protected vehicular bubble. This is often referred to as “road rage” and can get you into trouble with the law. If when cycling we carry the same beliefs with us, despite the absence of all that protective steel, we can endanger ourselves by forgetting about our physical vulnerability in the traffic around us.

Do yourself, your friends, your family and community members a favor: get educated about the right and wrong ways to ride a bicycle in traffic .

Fortunately, there is free, local bicycle safety education offered by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition and Marin General Hospital to provide the knowledge and skills you need. You can attend a Basic Street Skills Class or workshops such as 'Riding with Youth' and 'Bicycle Commuting 101'. You can even host a presentation of the 'What is Share the Road?' powerpoint to your co-workers or club team mates.

Visit marinbike.org for more information and printable/downloadable Share the Road flyers.

In addition, there are numerous easy and fun  quizzes (see the links below) to use to develop the skills that will make your riding experience safer and more enjoyable.

A Bicycle Safety Quiz

General Bike Safety Tips and Injury Statistics

Free Basic Street Skills Classes offered in Marin County

Bicycle Safety Education Resources

Safe Routes to Schools

6-point Safety Check