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Georgia BIKE SENSE A Guide for Cyclists & Motorists A Publication of the Georgia Department of Transportation Georgia BIKE SENSE A Guide for Cyclists & Motorists This manual is intended to serve as a guide to help both motorists and cyclists safely share the road, and to help adult cyclists, and young cyclists and their parents, better understand how to ride safely and legally on trails, streets, and high- ways in Georgia. It also includes safety suggestions that are not covered by Georgia traffic law. This manual is not to be considered a legal authority for bicycle safety, nor is it intended to be a source to cite in a court of law. Local traffic regulations in some cities, towns, and counties may vary somewhat from state law, provided they do not conflict with Photo: Bikes Belong state law. A PDF file of this document is available on the Georgia Department of Transportation web site at www.dot.state.ga.us. For printed copies, contact: State Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator Georgia Department of Transportation 2 Capitol Square Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404-657-6692 • [email protected] Comments and suggestions for future versions of this manual are welcome. An updated listing of Georgia clubs, organizations, and cycling resources is available by visiting the Bicycle/Pedestrian page on the Georgia Department of Transportation web site at: www.dot.state.ga.us Click on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation. Please submit any new club or organizational listings, as well as contact information for existing groups through the web site. Copyright 2005 by the Georgia Department of Transportation. Permission is given to quote and reproduce parts of this document for public educational purposes if credit is given to the source. The information provided in “Georgia BIKE SENSE” is not legal advice. The information provided in this public guide is provided solely for general interest, applies to general principles of law, and may not reflect current legal developments or statutory changes in various jurisdic- tions and therefore should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal advice. This Guide was funded through the federal Transportation Enhancement Program. The Georgia Department of Transportation would like to thank the State Transportation Board and the Federal Highway Administration for making these funds available for the development Georgia and printing of this Guide. The Georgia Department of Transportation is grateful to all of the individuals and organizations BIKE SENSE listed below who contributed to the content and production of this guide, providing time, A Guide for Cyclists & Motorists photos, resources, and information: @ the Hub Bicycles (Athens, Georgia): Brian Molloy Athens Transit: Butch McDuffie TABLE OF CONTENTS Atlanta Bicycle Campaign: Dennis Hoffarth Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG): Jerry Colley, Miles McClelland 5 Introduction BikeAthens: Sandy Cederbaum, Paul Quick, Peter Norris, Kes Roberts, Amanda Worthington Bikes Belong: Ray Keener 7 Choose a Bike That's Right For You Georgia Bikes!: David Crites Georgia Dept. of Economic Development: Kathleen Kern Hardison 10 Equipment and Gear Georgia Transit Association: Kermina Haynes Kenneth A. Rosskopf, P.C. 16 Riding in Difficult or Unusual Conditions MARTA: Kelly Mills PATH Foundation: Ed McBrayer 20 Motorists and Cyclists: Sharing Georgia's Roads Research Media (University of Georgia): Mark Dodson, Krysia Haag Southern Bicycle League: Ellen Sharp 22 Riding in Traffic State Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee 32 Riding With Other Cyclists This guide also draws from some excellent cycling information previously published online and in print in the United States and Canada: 36 What to Do If a Crash Occurs Colorado Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Program: Colorado Bicycling Manual 38 Bicycling for Transportation Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition: The British Columbia Bicycle Operators Manual About the cover: BikeAthens cyclists travel through League of American Bicyclists: www.bikeleague.org 50 Riding on Paved Paths downtown Athens, near the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition: University of Georgia. Bicycle Resource Guide 54 Cycling with Kids Photo: Wendy Giminski, Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition: www.massbike.org Research Media. Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program: 60 National and Regional Cycling Organizations Oregon Bicyclists Manual Paul Dorn's Bicycle Commuting Pages: www.runmuki.com/commute/ 62 Georgia Bicycle Laws Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center: www.bicyclinginfo.org Production: Project Manager: Amy R. Goodwin, State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, Georgia Department of Transportation has a web site dedicated to Georgia Department of Transportation. bicycle and pedestrian issues: Editing, research, design and production: Mark Dodson www.dot.state.ga.us (Research Media, University of Georgia • www.media.uga.edu) Contributing writers: Mark Dodson, David Crites (Georgia Bikes!), Click on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation. It includes bicycle Paul Quick (BikeAthens), Kenneth A. Rosskopf route maps, links to statewide cycling organizations, and news and Traffic diagrams: Colorado Department of Transportation updates on recent meetings and events. For more information, email the Contributing photographers: Krysia Haag, Mark Dodson, Wendy Giminski (Research Media), State Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator at [email protected] Miles McClelland, Atiba Mbiwan (BRAG), Kelly Mills (MARTA), Paul Quick (BikeAthens), Preston Tyree (Community Mobility Institute) Introduction Georgia is a great place for cycling. Like other southern states, it has a moderate climate that makes cycling an attractive option for both recreation and transportation all year-round. Georgia is also unique in its varied terrain. Cycling in the mountains of northern Georgia pres- ents different challenges than the flat coastal regions to the south. This guide covers a wide range of situations and conditions you’ll likely encounter Photo: Miles McClelland, BRAG while cycling here. It also stresses the state, and you will find contact infor- importance of taking safety precau- mation for these groups in this guide. tions and following the rules of the The Georgia Department of road. Transportation and local jurisdictions Cycling provides many benefits to are working hard to improve cycling both individuals and communities conditions in all parts of the state. around the state. In addition to exer- With the help of transportation plan- cise and better health, using bicycles ners and input from cycling advocates, for errands and commuting helps to many roads and facilities are being reduce traffic congestion and improve built or upgraded to better accom- air quality. Those who commute by modate bicycles. These improvements Lance Armstrong, 2004 Tour de Georgia bicycle to work or school also benefit will make it easier for cyclists and champion, with the winner's trophy. The from reduced costs for parking, auto- motorists to safely share the road. annual multi-day stage race draws a strong mobile maintenance, and insurance. Whether you’re a beginner or an field of the top professional racers from Spectators and participants visit- experienced rider, this guide provides around the world. ing Georgia for cycling events are an overview of how you can ride more generating significant contributions to safely and effectively. In addition to local economies all over the state. The equipment and riding techniques, Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG), there are references throughout to one of the larger cross-state tours in Georgia traffic law and how it applies the country, consistently draws about to cyclists. 2,000 riders each summer. The Tour The Georgia Department of de Georgia multi-day stage race draws Transportation is committed to a strong field of the top professional keeping our roads safe for pedestrians, racers from around the world. A wide cyclists, and motorists. By incorporat- range of recreational rides and tours, ing the safe cycling practices covered many benefiting charities, are held within, cyclists can build better throughout Georgia from early spring relationships with motorists and make through the autumn months each Georgia’s roads safer and more enjoy- year. Road riding and mountain bik- able for everyone. ing organizations are active across the Georgia BIKE SENSE: A Guide for Cyclists & Motorists 7 Choose a Bike That’s Right For You Select a bike suited for the Mountain bikes: These are terrain and the type of riding you’ll among the most popular bikes be doing. There are several sold today. They feature a more varieties to choose from. Your upright riding position and do not local bike shop is the best place to have the drop handlebars common begin shopping. They stock many to road bikes. They’re primarily different types of bikes and have set up for off-road use, especially professionals who can make sure when equipped with shocks and you’re getting a frame size that’s fat knobby tires. They are usually the proper fit. Below are some equipped with a third chain ring up details on common styles of bikes. front that allows the rider to access some extra lower gears for climbing. Road bikes: Designed for road While these are often seen on the riding, there are several variations road, mountain bikes are slower and available. Racing and training bikes less efficient on paved surfaces. are built for speed. Touring bikes have a longer wheelbase and are Hybrids: A cross between a road set up to haul the extra weight of