Remember bicycle safety

  • Published
  • By Bob Holby
  • Travis VPP representative
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Do you remember all of those in-processing appointments when you first arrived here at Travis? Among the many briefings, was the Wing Safety office providing information on local conditions. It included a lot of information about the local area and specifically pointed out dangerous roads on and off base. Part of that briefing dealt with riding bicycles on narrow and busy roads around Solano County. 

We've seen an increase of bicycle riders based on the Air Force emphasis on fitness, and perhaps on the economy. First, yes, a bicyclist has a right to travel on the roadways, but just because it is legal, doesn't necessarily make it safe. Before we talk about the hazard though, read what California has to say about bicycles using the roadway: 

Operation on Roadway 

Section 21202. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations: 

(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. 

(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. 

(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. 

(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. 
(b) Any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway of a highway in which the highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable.
Amended Sec. 4, Ch. 674, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.

Now, just because the law allows riders on the roadways does not mean conditions are safe on all roadways. Around the base many roads are extremely narrow, and are already very dangerous with vehicles going at or over the posted speed limit. Bicyclists need to be very cautious about even trying to use some of these roads at all. Vanden Road, Canon Road, Highway 12, and North Gate Road all present hazardous conditions and very little room or time to correct a bad situation. The safety office highly recommends avoiding all of these roads during peak traffic times. 

On the other hand, the back roads through the hills north and west of Travis can provide a safe environment for a great cycling workout. Lance Armstrong will even be out on those roads this month for the upcoming Tour of California. The minimal traffic and beautiful scenery (plus a few lung-busting climbs) make it a much more safe and enjoyable place to ride.

Riding is an enjoyable and healthy activity; a few minutes of planning can help to keep it that way throughout the entire ride. My father once gave me this advice about riding a bicycle, I'll pass it along to you --"ride your bicycle as if you cannot be seen." This does not mean try to be invisible, but act as if the bigger, faster vehicles have a very hard time seeing you. Do your best to make yourself visible, and protect yourself from vehicles that may come up from behind, cut in front of you without warning, or turn into you in an intersection. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2006, California had the highest number of bicycle fatalities of any U.S. state. To avoid adding to those statistics, take a look at the conditions along your route, ride single file near the edge of the roadway and always have your protective equipment (helmet, gloves, appropriate reflective clothing, repair kit etc.). A little preparation and route study should make for an enjoyable ride. And if you happen to see Lance out there, challenge him on the hills -- he's just another retiree nowadays right ...??