Share the Road: Safety for All

Let’s keep our roads safe for walkers, cyclists, and drivers!

We love to see people out walking and cycling on our roads. The Traffic Safety Working Group has put together these tips for safely sharing the road:

Drivers

• Obey all posted speed limits. Speed limits are designed to keep everyone safe.
•  Always look for cyclists and pedestrians while driving, especially when entering the roadway or making turns.
•  If you come upon a cyclist or pedestrian and wish to pass, slow down first. Wait until it is safe to pass.
• Only pass if it is safe to do so. Do not pass if you cannot give the cyclist or pedestrian at least 3 feet of space.
• Never pass going around a curve, going over a hill, or where sight lines are otherwise compromised.
•    If you encounter a group of cyclists that is not following the law or riding in a dangerous manner, pull over and call the local police department. Trying to communicate with cyclists while driving=or passing is dangerous.

Cyclists

• Follow all driving laws.
• Use your hands to signal turns when it is safe to do so.
• Every bike needs two lights: A white light in the front and a red light in the back.
• Be predictable. Be the kind of cyclist you’d want to see if you were driving.
• When entering a roadway, always stop and look to make sure there are no cars coming.
•  On narrow, curvy, or busy roads it’s best to ride single file to allow cars room to pass.
• Never ride more than two abreast.
• If you’re out in a large group, break up into pods of no more than 6.
• Always wear a helmet when out riding a bike.

Pedestrians

• If there is no sidewalk, walk facing oncoming traffic so that you can see if a car is coming.
• If you’re walking around a curve in the road, look both ways and cross so that an oncoming car can see you. For example: if you’re walking on the left side of the road and there is a curve to the left, safely cross to the right side before you enter the curve, then cross back when it’s safe.
• If you’re walking early in the morning or late in the evening it’s a good idea to wear bright, reflective clothing so that you can easily be seen.
• Walk single file on narrow or busy roads.

The Traffic Safety Working Group meets once every two months to discuss how to improve safety on Bedford’s roads. All meetings are open to the public. Do you have a road safety issue that you would like to have addressed by the Traffic Safety Working Group? Email Traffic Safety.