What Cycling Rights And Responsibilities You Actually Have On The Road

No matter you are a beginner or a regular cyclist, do you really know the rights and responsibilities that you have on the road as a rider? As a near 10-year rider by now, I nearly spend all of my spare and commuting time on my beloved bicycle. Indeed, cycling benefits me a lot for these years. It is an excellent tool no matter for recreation, exercise or relaxing. However, when it comes to the exact rights that I actually have, I completely have no idea. When I riding on the road, I always hold the idea that as long as I don’t hurt others and obey the rules as well as the regulations on the road, everything will be fine. But only when you know exactly what rights and responsibilities do you really have on the road, can you share the road with other road users peacefully and harmoniously and enjoy yourself on cycling. Here I will give you a clear explanation of the rights that you have on the road. Let’s get the start!

Signaling
cycling rights and responsibilitiesUnlike the car which has the turn lights to signal others what directions it is going to turn so that others on the road could take actions accordingly, the bike does not have turn lights or other indicators to signal others. Thus, when you are going to change your direction, what should you do? Most cyclists don’t want to bother to figure out the solution, they just make a turning movement without signalling. However, it is extremely dangerous and may cause troubles to yourself as well as others.

To work out this issue on the road, use a hand signal. For example, when you are doing to turn right on the road during cycling, extend your right arm out horizontally, which should be at a right angle from the right side of your bike. Your hand ought to be open, with your palm facing forward. Of course, there are also other hand signals that you must keep in mind for your cycling safety.

hand signals for cycling

♣♣ Right/left turn: Arm straight out to side you are turning.

♣♣ Slowing or stopping: Hand down low, palm side out, or hand on the butt.

♣♣ Runner or car door on the side of the road: Tap the side of your leg and point, or point to the side and swing arm behind back.

♣♣ Shaking hand at waist: Pothole, road kill, nails, rough surface, anything you want to avoid. Always yell “GLASS!”

♣♣ Wave: A nice gesture to thank cars or pedestrians for letting you go.

♣♣ Wave forward: To cars: It is safe to pass. To other bikes: Go ahead, you are riding faster than I am.

♣♣ Middle finger: Only for when someone intentionally threw something as you, almost ran you over.

♣♣ Hand out to side, wrist bent: What the ## are you doing?

♣♣ Simple point followed by thumbs-up: As if to say, “That girl is pretty” or “That is a good restaurant.”

Sharing the road
Most car drivers tend to hold the idea that present roads are designed for car use but not for the bike. Therefore, they consider that cyclists are robbing their roads, and they don’t have the right to use the road with them. For this reason, many cyclists are not confident enough when riding their bikes with drivers to share the road. As a matter of fact, as long as you obey the rules and regulations of the road, it is definitely you right to use the road as other road users.

Of course, even though you have the right to use the road, it does not mean that you can do whatever you want on the road. Now that bikes are usually slower than cars or some other electric vehicles, cyclists should stay on the right side of the road so as to ensure other faster-moving vehicles pass you on your left. And when riding on shared paths with other road users, remember to give way to pedestrians. It is highly recommended that you ride slowly and use your bell or horn to let them know you are there.

Carrying people
It is quite normal for cars or e-bikes to carry people with on the road. Of Carrying people on cyclingcourse, you also carry people with your beloved bike on the road, but not any kind of bike. There are some certain rules on carrying people with bikes. Above all, your bicycle should be designed to carry more than one person and has a passenger seat. Some cyclists did not buy the bike with the seat at the first beginning, but later because of the need of carrying people, they tend to add a new seat on the bike personally. Here I would like to say, don’t do that, it is completely dangerous. And most bikes could only carry one person with, so don’t try to challenge the limits of your bike and carry more one passenger on the bike. Secondly, you and the passenger you are going to carry should wear a helmet. It is for the sake of both of you and your passenger's safety.

Cycling two abreast
With more and more people are sharing the same road together nowadays, people tend to be angry when seeing riders are cycling tow abreast. Even though, in fact, it is your legal right to ride on your bike abreast. However, what you should pay attention to is when cycling abreast with your friends or other cyclists, don’t focus on chatting with your companion but rather concentrate on the road condition in case of some unexpected incidents.

Cycling two abreast on cycling

Speed limits
General speaking, it is your every right to ride as fast as you want on the road. Because unlike the cars, the authorities usually don’t put speed limits on cyclists. However, since you are sharing the road with others, of course, it is your responsibility to take others’ safety into consideration. The faster you ride on the road, the more chances for you to get a crash or hit someone. Therefore, if you are aware of your speed all the time, the road could be a safer place for you and them.

To recap

Riding your bike on the road is pretty easy, but sharing the road with other road users while cycling is an essential lesson that every cyclist should learn carefully. There is no doubt that as a rider you actually enjoy the certain rights on the road, but don’t forget that you should also bear some responsibilities. As long as you keep your rights and responsibilities on the road when cycling in mind, can you really enjoy all those benefits that cycling could bring to you? I hope that all I have said above could actually help you better understand the rights and responsibilities that you have on the road when cycling. If you have any better ideas, welcome to leave your messages to me. For more further information, please read on our website:http://www.cycling4you.com/.