In the spring and
summer seasons, the bicycle is the most popular means of transport. For some,
it is a form of spending free time, while others use it to commute to work. For
safety to be maintained, one should remember the basic principles of using
roads by cyclists, as well as the mutual friendliness of all road users.
"Cyclists'
safety is influenced by many factors, ranging from the time of day and weather
conditions. However, the most important thing is the behavior of the cyclists
themselves, above all respecting the applicable rules and regulations of the
road and the ability to anticipate dangerous situations. The behavior of other
road users towards cyclists is equally important," - says the young asp.
Patrycja Kaszuba, press officer of the KPP in Brzeg.
The policewoman
also reminds you of a few basic rules:
"Cyclists
should use a cycle path, and if there is no one, use a road (as close to the
right edge as possible). Cyclists riding on pavements create many dangerous
situations for pedestrians, so let's respect the law and leave the pavement to
pedestrians - this is a place where they should feel safe. A vehicle that is overtaking
a cyclist is required to keep a distance of at least 1 m from it. A cyclist who
wants to use a pedestrian crossing should stop in front of it and cross the
road, it is unacceptable to cross the crossing," explains Patrycja
Kaszuba.
It should be added
that there are also a few exceptions when a cyclist may use the pavement:
- weather
conditions threaten his safety on the road (strong wind blows, fog, heavy rain,
or snowfall),
- takes care of a
child up to 10 years old, who he is cycling,
- the width of the
sidewalk along the road, on which traffic is allowed at a speed of more than 50
km / h, is at least 2 meters and there is no separate path for bicycles and a
lane for bicycles.
The bicycle
traffic regulations do not require the use of protective helmets and reflective
elements. However, it should be taken into account that the helmet protects the
head, which is the part of the body most exposed to injuries, while the reflective vest, reflective harness, or bands make it
easier for the rider to see the cyclist, especially in difficult weather
conditions.
It is also worth
making sure that our two-wheeler is well-equipped and functional.
