Four Commonsense Safety Cycling Rules

1. Ride on the “right” side of the road. As an avid road cyclist (or “roadie” as we are called, which is different than those that primarily ride mountain bikes on dirt trails), I often see others in Sanpete County riding on the wrong side of the road. Just this past week, while riding toward Chester, I passed another cyclist, who was riding on the left side of the road into traffic. I yelled out “wrong side of the road.” His quick response was to point downward at the road, saying, “no, this is the correct side of the road!” Just as I was passing him, a car came in the opposite direction. Because of the foolishness of the other cyclist, the driver in the auto had to “shoot the gap” between the two of us, causing anxiety to all there that day.Utah State Law defines a bicycle as any wheeled vehicle propelled by human power with wheels not less than 14 inches in diameter (Title 41, Chapter 6a). A bicycle is considered a vehicle and is generally required to operate under the same laws as motor vehicles. The law states “A Bicycle must ride with the flow or direction of traffic (§ 1105).” Many people confuse this law with the rules for pedestrians, where the recommendation is to walk against traffic. These two simple rules are ones I learned as an 9-year old Cub Scout, yet many adults disregard them. These laws are common knowledge anywhere in the U.S.A.
2. Be as visible as possible. That is especially important during the shorter days of fall and winter. Wear bright clothing (I never wear a black or navy top). Have lights in the front and back, even during the day. Wear a reflective vest and ankle bands when at dawn, dusk or at night.
3. Be defensive & act as if you are invisible. Recently, while cycling through a busy intersection in front of Terrel’s grocery store in Mount Pleasant, a motorist quickly crossed the highway out in the front of my friend and I. He didn’t even see us and drove across both lanes of traffic to the other side. We both slowed down abruptly, barely avoiding an accident. As cyclists, behave as if you are invisible, as many motorists simply don’t look for anything other than other vehicles. You have to be a super-defensive “driver” while on a bike.
4. Share the Road. My last point is for motorists. Recently, many of the highways in Sanpete County received some new sets of road signs with the title “Share the Road.” The Utah State law states “Motorists may not pass within 3 feet of a moving bicycle (§ 706.5).” Please, please, do not cut cyclists too close. I worry about getting hit by the large mirrors of many trucks or school buses. Vehicles pulling wide trailers (ATV etc.) concern me. Drivers, please be aware of your total vehicle width and act accordingly!

Recently, there was a campaign going on by some of my cycling friends in Calif. (due to recent fatal accident there) to use the slogan “Change Lanes to Pass a Cyclist.” This is not state law, but is even better than the 3-foot rule. Generally speaking, most motorists in Sanpete County leave enough room and treat cyclists like a slow-moving farm implement, by swinging wide and/or slowing down. That is appreciated.

Author: Rando Richard

I’m an old guy (age 69 in 2023) who enjoys aerobic, endurance sports. I call myself a cardio-junkie. Perhaps the more appropriate term would be “ultra” endurance sports. Since I was a teenager I have always enjoyed “slow twitch” outdoor sports like backpacking, ice climbing, running, mountaineering, hiking, alpine skiing and randonnée skiing (alpine touring, backcountry skiing or skimo). In 2005 I starting running with more regularity — except this time it was not for the intent of getting ready for a mountaineering trip, but as an end to itself. From 2005 to 2007 I managed to eek out two seasons of ultramarathons — that is competitive trail runs up to 50 or 100 miles. Due to a nagging ankle injury from the 80s (an accident while ice climbing in the 1980s where my lower tib and fib were badly broken), I had to cease that grueling, but rewarding activity. I then migrated into ultra distance road cycling or randonneuring. The rides are called brevets (pronounced bruh-VAY, it’s French) and are minimally supported — they are similar to ultrarunning and backpacking where one must be self reliant. Although brevets are non-competitive, they do have have cut off times to qualify as a finisher. They are usually are done in groups, which can have a competitive slant to them. Today, I continue to participate in long distance cycling including some ultra-racing, randonnée skiing (a blend of cross country and downhill disciplines) and still get out on an occasional mountaineering trip. Since 1996 I have been designing, manufacturing and selling camera bags. That is Kinesis Photo Gear (kgear.com). In 2005 I started selling cycling bags under the Kinesis label and eventually expanded it to including other sports like SUP (stand-up paddle boarding and some skimo). Consequently, it become eoGEAR — the “eo” stands for endurance outdoor. My wife and I are empty-nesters now and we live and work out in the boondocks of central Utah, half way between Salt Lake City (great powder) and Moab (great red rocks). Well, I guess that is all for now. Safe travels mate! Perhaps I’ll see you on the road or trail. — Richard Stum View all posts by Rando Richard