Another holiday weekend is ahead of us. Probably many of us will go for a ride at this time by bicycle. Read what is worth remembering, what cannot be overlooked, and what rules to follow to keep your cycling time free from worries and completely safe.
During the holidays, we prefer to spend our free time in nature. Often in an active and sporty way. The choice of many people, in this case, is the bicycle. Equally often, we use this means of transport to get to the workplace. Anyone who uses a bicycle on the road should know that a bicycle, like a car or any other vehicle, must meet safety requirements. It should be operational and have obligatory equipment, which should be taken into account, preferably at the stage of buying the bicycle.
The bicycle should be equipped with:
at the front – at least one white or selective yellow position light (maybe flashing);
at the rear – at least one red reflex reflector not triangular in shape and at least one red position lamp (maybe flashing);
at least one effective brake;
with a bell or other warning signal with a non-piercing sound.
The bicycle can be equipped with:
at the front – white reflective light;
on wheels – car yellow reflectors (at least one per wheel);
on pedals – yellow reflective lights;
Continuous ring-shaped reflective stripe on both sides of the tire, or continuous ring-shaped reflective elements on the side surfaces of the wheels.
a bicycle helmet and a reflective vest are not obligatory, but it is worth using them. The helmet protects our head in the event of a fall.
the vest increases our visibility, giving other road users time to behave appropriately.
As active road users, we must bear in mind a few obligations that lie on us as cyclists:
– the bicycle rider is obliged to use the bicycle lane or the bicycle lane. The cycle path is marked with a mandatory sign (C-13),
– if the cyclist moves along the path for bicycles and pedestrians, he should exercise particular caution and give way to pedestrians,
– a child up to 7 years of age may be transported on a bicycle, provided that it is placed on an additional seat,
– the cyclist is forbidden to cling to vehicles and ride next to another bike unless this ride does not hinder the movement of other road users.
A cyclist can use pavement or a pedestrian path in several cases:
– when he is looking after a person under 10 who also rides a bicycle,
– when the sidewalk is more than two meters wide, and vehicle traffic is allowed at speeds higher than 50 km / h, we can also drive on the sidewalk,
– the last situation is unfavorable weather conditions (snow, strong wind, downpour, dense fog). While walking on the pavement, a cyclist is obliged to drive slowly, be particularly careful and give way to pedestrians, while crossing a bicycle crossing we have priority over vehicles, but it does not release us from the need to be particularly careful in these places and reduce the speed with which we
are driving, do not cross after a pedestrian crossing. At these points, we are obliged to get off the bike and take it to the other side.
We should never get on the bike after drinking alcohol. The action of this measure causes our reactions on the road to be delayed so that our driving can lead to a dangerous event. Riding a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or intoxication is an offense and may result in arrest or a fine.