Traffic Safety and Sharing the Road: Vehicles and Bicycles

Whether it's the high gasoline prices, lack of parking, or the early spring weather, more and more employees are choosing to ride their bikes to Fort Detrick. Motorists are reminded to "share the road" with our two-wheeled operators. Bicycles are considered recreational vehicles by Army Regulation 385-10, and operators are required to operate those bikes in accordance with the local traffic laws.

As a motorist, that means that those cyclists, will be operating in the same traffic lanes as motorists, and are entitled to the same courtesies as other car and motorcycle operators. Bicyclists are often more difficult to see as their "footprint" is much smaller than a motorcycle.

Here are some tips from the safety office: Army Regulations specifically require all bicyclists to wear a safety helmet when operating on the Installation roads. In addition, during times of limited daylight/poor visibility, bicyclists must wear highly visible or reflective clothing, and operate their bikes with functioning lights on both the front and back of the bike.

As a vehicle operator, do your part by extending "right of way" courtesies to bicyclists as you would other motor vehicles. Ensure the lane you are crossing is free of another oncoming vehicle (to include bicycles). Also, use caution when following bicyclists, especially in turn lanes.

"Share the Road."