July 2021

Sharing the Road -- For Bicyclists

Last month we discussed a few simple things that motorists can do to help peaceably share the road:

1. Understand that all users, including bicyclists, are entitled to use public streets..
2. Provide 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist or slow to a safe speed.
3. Avoid right-hook situations by slowing down and turning right behind bicyclists rather than cutting them off.
4. Don’t honk unless it’s an emergency.
5. To prevent dooring, watch for bicyclists when leaving a parked car along the street.

Here are a few things that bicyclists can do to share the road:

1. Be predictable.  Make your intentions clear to other road users by signaling turns, riding in a straight line, checking behind you when changing lanes, and not swerving between parked cars.
2. Ride on the rightmost lane serving your destination.  Do not ride on the wrong side of the road where motorists will not expect you. Also refrain from riding on sidewalks because motorists may not expect you to be there, especially if you are riding in the opposite direction of the lane adjacent to you.
3. Be visible.  Use front and rear lights at night, and have the appropriate reflectors on your bike.
4. Don’t block right-turn lanes when going straight unless expressly allowed.
5. If you are taking the lane because it is too narrow to share with a vehicle, pull over if there are five or more vehicles behind you.  That’s the law for bicyclists and motorists alike.
6. Follow the law and do not blatantly run stop signs and red lights.  Demonstrate civic responsibility to garner respect for all bicyclists.

Next month, we’ll go over some things that engineers should consider when they design or modify the roadways to accommodate both bicyclists and motorists safely.

New FCBC Bike Café

Starting this month, FCBC will hold periodic virtual bike cafés.  This is another way for FCBC members to interact and discuss bicycle-related topics, and you can optionally bring your beverage of choice.  For the inaugural bike café on Tuesday, July 13 at 7:00 pm, FCBC Board member Juan Flores will discuss doing an e-bike conversion.  There will be time to discuss other topics as well.  For the Zoom link, send an email to events@fresnobike.org.

Kearney Boulevard Bike Ride and Kearney Mansion Museum Tour

FCBC has partnered with the Fresno County Historical Society for a guided tour of the Kearney Mansion Museum after a 6-mile group ride from Chandler Airport.  This event will take place on Saturday, July 24.  You can arrive at Chandler Airport as early as 7:15 am.  Ride off to the museum will be at 8:00 am.  Arrival at the museum will be around 8:45 am, and parking will be provided in a secure porch area.  The tour will end around 10:15 am, and participants should be back at Chandler Airport by 11:00 am.  Cost is $15 per adult.  Kids 12 years and younger are free per accompanied adult.  To register, go to https://www.valleyhistory.org/events.  This event is planned to be repeated in the fall.  

 

Membership and Ride and Coordinators Needed

FCBC is in need of Membership and Ride Coordinators.  The ideal candidates for these unpaid positions would be outgoing, have organizational skills, and love to ride.  The Membership Coordinator is a position on the FCBC Board of Directors, but if you are not yet willing to commit to being a Board member, we would still love to hear from you and discuss how you could help us.  If you have any interest or have questions, please contact us at info@fresnobike.org.

Legislative Update

Assembly Bill 122, which brings the “Idaho stop” to California and allows bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs.  The bill had a second reading in the Senate, was amended, and sent back to the Transportation Committee.  As currently proposed, the California Highway Patrol would provide a report with safety data to the Legislature by January 2027, and the provisions of the bill would sunset on January 1, 2028.

Assembly Bill 117 would establish incentives for electric bicycles.  The bill was passed by the Assembly and went to the Senate and is now in the Transportation Committee.

Assembly Bill 43 modifies the method that speed limits are set and gives more guidance as to when speed limits can be reduced an additional 5 mph from the 5 mph increment below the 85th percentile speed.  The bill has had a second reading and amendments in the Senate and is in the Senate Transportation Committee.

Next Board Meeting

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 15 at 7:30 pm via Zoom.  Everyone is welcome to join the virtual meeting.  If you would like to participate, please send an email to info@fresnobike.org, and the login information and call-in number will be sent to you.

Membership

If you are not yet a member of FCBC or need to renew, please visit https://fresnobike.org/join to become a member or renew your membership.

Have a comment or suggestion?  Contact us at info@fresnobike.org