| Arizona law does not prohibit riding your bike on | | | | are hard to find but the fact is that many people |
| the sidewalk, but does that mean it is safe to do | | | | are injured every year after being struck by |
| so? Cycling is a very popular outdoor activity, | | | | bicyclists. Head injuries are common in these |
| especially in Arizona. However, Arizona bike laws | | | | types of accidents. As it so happens, my wife |
| seem to be a topic of confusion for many | | | | sustained a head injury due to this type of collision |
| people. When it comes down to it, laws are put | | | | many years ago when she was a student at |
| into place for our safety and the safety of | | | | ASU. She was crossing the street, she did not |
| others. Therefore, if you choose to enjoy the | | | | see the cyclist (as he was shielded by a large |
| Arizona roads via bicycle, familiarizing yourself with | | | | truck) and he apparently did not see her either. |
| the laws and understanding the dangers is | | | | They collided, and my wife was knocked |
| imperative. | | | | unconscious. She suffered from a concussion for |
| The laws in Arizona regarding riding bikes on | | | | several months. |
| sidewalks differ from city to city; however, the | | | | If you choose to ride your bike on the sidewalk, |
| dangers are the same wherever you are. Riding | | | | we suggest following these guidelines to help |
| on sidewalks is not completely prohibited because | | | | everyone avoid injury. |
| we have to take into consideration areas where | | | | 1. Ride slow and yield to pedestrians – |
| biker safety on the road is extremely reduced, | | | | Sidewalks were built for pedestrians, not fast |
| and children. | | | | moving traffic, therefore there are a variety of |
| Avid cyclers seem to disagree on what is best | | | | obstacles for someone traveling at a faster speed |
| for their safety, but the majority seem to believe | | | | such as mail boxes, signs and light posts. |
| riding in the roadway is safer than on the | | | | 2. Be alert and watch carefully all points of entry |
| sidewalk. Fear seems to be what guides cyclists | | | | to the roadway – drivers generally pull all the |
| who choose the sidewalk. Fear of vehicles is a | | | | way up to the road when getting ready to turn |
| valid fear, but is the idea that the sidewalk is a | | | | onto it and are not expecting fast moving vehicles |
| safer place valid? Actually, a large portion of | | | | coming down the sidewalk, especially from the |
| accidents involving bicycles and automobiles | | | | opposite direction of the traffic flow, so they |
| happen when a bike rider is using the sidewalk | | | | likely will not see you. |
| instead of the roadway. | | | | 3. Use Crosswalks – if you must cross the |
| Often bike riders using the sidewalk decide to | | | | street wait until you come to a crosswalk and |
| ride against traffic, believing that they are safer | | | | make sure to walk your bike thru the crosswalk. |
| when they can see traffic coming towards | | | | Arizona law prohibits riding a bike through a |
| them. However, drivers exiting private drives, | | | | crosswalk. |
| parking lost and side streets oftentimes do not | | | | 4. Make eye contact with drivers – When |
| check traffic to the right when they are turning | | | | you are crossing the street or a roadway entry |
| right, because oncoming traffic is coming from the | | | | point and a vehicle approaches, do not cross until |
| left. This results in car-bike collisions. As I | | | | you have made eye contact with the driver, you |
| constantly say to my children “If you get in | | | | are sure they see you and grant you non-verbal |
| an accident with a car, who wins? Even they | | | | permission to proceed. If this does not |
| know: The car, every time! | | | | happen—WAIT!! |
| Another thing: Cyclists sometimes forget that | | | | 5. Ride with traffic not against it – Always |
| they are a danger to pedestrians. The statistics | | | | ride in the same direction that traffic is flowing. |