February - March 2003 Edition

Spring Motoring    By Traffic Todd   Ah, Spring is here; beautiful weather, birds singing, flowers ready to bloom and of course the days are starting to get longer and warmer.  With this lovely weather comes the desire to get out of the house and take advantage of the change in seasons.  People take advantage of this weather in different ways; some hop in their cars, roll the windows down – or take the top off - and take to a quiet two lane road; others don their helmets and take the two wheeled route touring the spring scenery.   No matter which way you choose to enjoy this wonderful weather, both drivers and riders need to remember the rules of the road for everyone’s safety.  For everyone’s safety, rider and driver alike, there are several maintenance tips that need to be in the forefront of each one’s mind.  Before planning your road trip, the most important thing to think about when starting off on the road is your vehicle’s maintenance – and yes a bicycle is a vehicle, not a toy!     Make sure that your tires are inflated correctly and meets the manufacturers recommended pressure.  The sidewall of your tires will state a psi (pounds per square inch – how air pressure is measured) range, however that is a general range, not what your vehicle's manufacturer states is required for your specific application.  The correct tire pressure can be found printed in your bicycle’s owner’s manual and in motor vehicles it is usually found on a plate/sticker in your doorjamb or spare tire holder as well as your owner’s manual.  After the tires are to pressure, check your brakes.  You cannot slow down or stop to avoid a hazard if your brake pads and rotors are worn or cables are loose and frayed – fraying cables could break when needed.  You can give bicycle brakes a visual inspection before hopping on; but if something doesn’t look or feel right, take your vehicle to your bicycle shop before taking that long ride.     For motor vehicles if you feel a vibration when applying your brakes or it takes more pressure on the pedal than normal (feels like you’re stepping in mush) to slow down and stop than you need to get your brakes professionally checked as soon as possible.  Also it is important, for both bike and motor vehicles that all other components of your ride are in god working condition.   Let’s say your tires and brakes are up to par and overall your vehicle is ready to roll on a fine Spring day.  Now it’s time to share the roads motorists and bicyclists.  The most important safety tip for bicyclists is to be visible to motorists and pedestrians.  The New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety recommends that riders should wear clothes that make you more visible, such as neon, fluorescent or other bright colors.  Also, in order to be visible to drivers, it is imperative, as well as the law, that bicyclists ride WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC.  New Jersey law also requires that all bicycles be equipped with a horn or a bell; this equipment is to be used to alert drivers and pedestrians of your presence.    Section I, Part Four: Sharing the Road of the New Jersey Driver Manual (May 2001) states that: “New Jersey law states that bicyclists, skateboarders and inline skaters on a roadway have all the rights and are subject to all of the responsibilities of the motor vehicle driver. When you are following or passing a bicyclist, skateboarder or inline skater leave plenty of room.     Furthermore, Section I, Part Two: Driver Safety Skills and Rules of the New Jersey Driver Manual (May 2001); Special vehicle regulations states as follows:   “Bicycle, roller and inline skates and skateboard regulations: When you ride a bicycle, roller skate or skateboard you must obey the same traffic laws as motor vehicle drivers. You have the same rights and duties as a motor vehicle driver. Signal all turns and stops, using the standard hand signals. Keep to the right on a road or use a bicycle path. Stay off sidewalks where not permitted. Do not ride, skate or skateboard more than two abreast with others. Never hold on to other vehicles or carry a passenger without an attached seat. For your own safety, make sure you have control at all times.”     New Jersey State Law regarding bicycles further states:  “39:4-14.2, 39:4-10.11 Operating Regulations.  Every person riding a bicycle, skateboarding, roller or inline skating should keep as near to the right of the roadway as practicable and may move left under any of the following situations: 1. To make a left turn from a left turn lane or pocket; 2. To avoid debris, drains or other hazardous conditions on the right; 3. To pass a slower moving vehicle; 4. To occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as other traffic; 5. To travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded, but otherwise ride in single file. Every person riding a bicycle, skateboarding, roller or inline skating should stay in the same direction as vehicular traffic.   In New Jersey, the law states a bicyclist, skateboarder or skater must obey all state and local automobile driving laws. A parent may be held responsible for the child's violation of any traffic law.”   So now we know the bicyclists’ responsibilities, what about that Spring driver tooling along that 2 lane country road or on a crowded Bergen County roadway?  Well, Section I, Part Four: Sharing the Road of the New Jersey Driver Manual (May 2001) states that while the bicyclist needs to yield to through traffic.  “Motorists turning right should be aware of bicyclists, skateboarders and skaters and let them pass through the intersection, just as they yield to other traffic.   To turn left, a bicyclist, skateboarder or inline skater may also choose to turn as a (motor) vehicle does. The driver should be alert that if there is a left turn lane, the bicyclist, skateboarder or inline skater will ride on the right edge of the turn lane.”     Taking the time to be observant, courteous and unflustered will make this Spring driving and riding season enjoyable and safe for those on the roads.  Some good links for bicycling information, including other safety tips, ride clubs and ride maps are: Ø     http://www.state.nj.us/njcommuter/html/bikewalk.htm Ø     http://www.mtbr.com/trails/ Ø     http://www.cpsc.gov/ Ø     http://www.rtis.com/reg/bcs/org/bvcweb/bvc-tips.htm Ø     http://www.btcnj.com/index.htm Ø     http://www.mybikesite.com/newjersey/   Well that’s it for now, gotta go riding!  Hope you enjoyed this Spring tune-up and Remember to Drive Alert, Drive Patiently and Drive Smartly.     See Traffic Todd's Previous Columns The Automotive Alphabet (February 2003) Walking Safe (June 2002) Basic Driving  (April 2002)