Knowing your responsibilities and rights as a cyclist is important to staying safe and feeling confident on your bike. In general, the same traffic rules and regulations for vehicle drivers apply to bicyclists. Read on for a brief summary of the most important laws and traffic considerations pertaining to bicyclists. See the Resources section in this booklet to find out where to go for information on bike safety and the law.

Signaling Turns

Hand Signals

The majority of the time, cyclists should use hand signals to indicate a turn or a stop at least 100 feet before making a move. Sometimes you’ll need both hands for braking or just to be safe. However, if you have an available hand, let drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists know where you’re going by using proper hand signals.

Changing Lanes Safely
In order to safely change lanes in traffic, you should know where you’re going first. Before making a lane change, check the lanes in front of and behind you several times. Act carefully, smoothly and deliberately when you make your move. Don’t merge in front of another moving vehicle without a nod or a wave from the driver. Signal which way you intend to go, unless you need both hands to maintain control.

Using Bike Lanes
Motor vehicles are required to yield to bicyclists in a bike lane and are not allowed to obstruct or park in that lane. Bicyclists may ride outside a designated bike lane when:
• Overtaking and passing another bicycle.
• Preparing for a left- or right-hand turn. 
• Avoiding debris or other hazards.

When overtaking a slower-moving motor vehicle in a bike lane, use extreme caution—drivers don’t always use turn signals, and may not expect a cyclist to pass them on the right. This is especially important with wide-turning trucks that may appear to be going straight. Also avoid riding in the driver’s blind spot.

Where to Ride 

Where To Ride

If you’re riding a bicycle on a road at less than the normal speed of traffic, you should ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe, except when:
• Overtaking or passing another bicycle or vehicle.
• Preparing to execute a left turn.
• Avoiding hazardous conditions.
• The lane isn’t wide enough to allow safe passing by a motor vehicle.
• On a one-way street.

In all of the above cases, a bicyclist may need to take the lane to avoid being squeezed up against the curb or a parked car.

Maintain a straight line of travel, and avoid weaving in and out of the parking lane. This helps make you more visible to other road users. Bicyclists can ride side by side as long as they don’t impede the normal movement of traffic.

Be Pedestrian Friendly
The safest way to ride your bike is to use the tips and techniques in this brochure and ride your bike like you would drive a motor vehicle. Sidewalks are designed for pedestrians. It is highly recommended that you avoid riding on sidewalks. But when you do, ride with the direction of traffic, and dismount and walk your bike across all intersections and driveways. By city ordinance, cyclists are not allowed to ride on sidewalks in the downtown business district.

On multi-use trails, give an audible warning using a bell or your voice before overtaking pedestrians from behind. Columbia’s beautiful multi-use trails, such as the MKT Trail, are very popular. It is your responsibility to yield to pedestrians, so slow down a little bit and enjoy the scenery!

Car Doors
Give yourself a buffer when passing on the left of a parked or moving vehicle. You should leave three to four feet of clearance to avoid suddenly opened car doors or to allow for a vehicle to swerve.

Getting a Green Light 

Pavement Symbol

Some traffic signals are triggered by electrically-charged wires buried in the pavement. A vehicle disrupts the current when it stops over the sensors, and sends a signal to the traffic signal control box. While a car is easily detected by the sensors, and a pedestrian can push a button to get the “walk” sign, a bicycle with relatively little metal must be in the right spot to be detected.

The City of Columbia marks the location of these sensors on the street to indicate how and where a bicycle needs to be positioned to activate the signal. Put your bike tires directly on the bike symbol to activate the signal. If a car is at the intersection, it will activate the signal for you. 

If you find a signal that needs marking or is not working for bikes, please call (573) 442-7189, ext. 22.

Equipment Requirements:
Helmets
Helmets are mandatory for everyone under the age of 16 to avoid head injury. For those 16 and older, helmets are highly recommended: they’re comfortable and relatively inexpensive. If you ever need your helmet’s protection—and we hope you don’t—you’ll be very glad to have it.

Lights 
Lighting equipment must be used during limited visibility conditions. Required lighting equipment includes:
• A white light visible from at least 500 feet.
• A red rear light visible from at least 600 feet.

Additional reflectors are also recommended.  

Brakes
Bikes must be equipped with a brake that is strong enough to skid on dry, level, clean pavement. 

Biking Basics
• Ride with traffic in a predictable manner.
• Obey traffic controls (stop signs, signals, etc.).
• Be visible and aware.
• Never pass on the right.