The end of summer often marks a lot of beginnings, especially around the many college campuses and schools across the Bay Area. As students head back to class, many will do so on bicycle. So, it’s important to remain watchful and alert on the road.
Students must also take precautions on their school commute, whether they are teens heading back to high school, college students learning new routines in a new area, or families or groups riding together to get little ones back to class and back home safely.
A few of the major colleges and universities located in the region welcoming students back to campus this fall include:
- UC Berkeley
- San Jose State University
- San Francisco State University
- Stanford University
- Santa Clara University
- City College of San Francisco
- Foothill College and De Anza College
- College of San Mateo
While some of the areas around these campuses are quite urban and are used to heavy bicycle traffic, others may see a surge of new, young cyclists who aren’t yet comfortable in their routine, route, or cycling skills. Be patient, stay alert, and take it slow around schools and universities to keep everybody safe.
Careful drivers save lives
For drivers, remember these important rules of the road around university campuses and school zones:
Go slow: Be mindful of school zones, which establish the speed limit as somewhere between 15 and 25 miles per hour (MPH) depending on the location (some municipalities set school zone speed limits lower). These speed limits are typically enforced when students are present, so watch for signs with timing instructions. If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and slow down.
Leave space for cyclists: In California, vehicle drivers must adhere to a three-foot passing space between the car and a cyclist. This rule became state law in 2014. If cyclists are utilizing a bike lane, staying in your lane is likely enough space, but in cases where there isn’t a bike lane or there are obstructions in the bike lane forcing cyclists to ride outside of them, be careful to leave enough room. This helps protect the cyclist and the vehicle driver if an abrupt stop happens.
Be mindful of the bike lane: Lots of areas around schools and universities have bike lanes. This is great city planning and makes commutes to school and back home safer for many. If you’re driving or parking in these areas, be sure to watch out for traffic in the bike lanes. When turning, double check before crossing over into a right turn lane, as there may be cyclists behind you or in your blind spot. Always use your blinker to signal a turn, and only merge into the lane when the traffic lines (dashed, not solid) allow you to do so.
Street parking: Avoid parking in bike lanes, even for short amounts of time. Doing so may force a cyclist into the road where it’s more dangerous for them and other drivers.
When you’re in a designated street parking spot, be careful to open your door when getting out of the vehicle when opening the door into the bike lane. Doorings can cause crashes that are extremely dangerous. Practice the “the dutch reach” where you reach across your body to open the door with the opposite hand. This forces your body to turn and look out to assess the bike lane for any oncoming traffic before you open your door fully and exit the vehicle.
Cycling safety basics
Students can also do their part to keep themselves and others around them safe. Younger and less experienced cyclists are often at more risk for crashes and injuries because they are less confident on the road, especially in busy places with heavy traffic, and they may be more difficult to spot by drivers. This shouldn’t discourage young riders, however, because practice makes for an even better rider and there are ways to enhance safety on the road.
Be seen: Most importantly, you’re going to want to increase your visibility. It can be a big help when drivers can easily identify you on the road or in a nearby bike lane. Wearing bright colors, like neon pink, orange or yellow can be good options, and safety vests have reflective strips that easily catch drivers’ attention.
State law also requires bicycles, no matter the age of the rider, to have special reflectors when it’s dark. All bikes should have:
- A front light that is visible from at least 300 feet
- A rear reflector that’s solid or red flashing, visible from 500 feet
- White or yellow reflectors on each pedal, shoe, or ankle
- White or yellow reflectors on the front wheel and red or white reflectors on the rear tire.
Wear proper gear: Helmets are a must for young children on bicycles. Young adults should also consider wearing a helmet for safety. While it won’t always prevent a brain injury, it may keep an injury from being worse than with no helmet. Elbow and knee pads for less experienced riders, or at least pants and long sleeves, may help in the case of falling or hitting the pavement.
Familiarize yourself with laws: Each municipality may have slightly different laws for cyclists, especially when it comes to riding on the sidewalk. Generally, it’s OK for children under the age of 18, but rules may change from city to city or county, so check where you’re riding to make sure.
Ride in groups: A group of cyclists is much easier for a vehicle driver to spot, especially if it’s a younger person on the bicycle. Getting multiple people together for school drop-off may be a good idea if you’re cycling through a neighborhood or busy area. Even around colleges, sticking to routes where there are many cyclists will help elevate your chances of being seen on the road, which may help you avoid a serious crash. Where there are more cyclists, traffic tends to move a little slower to accommodate, often because of bike infrastructure like bike lanes or slower speed limits.
Enjoy the school year
Bay Area Bicycle Law hopes for a great year ahead for all of our local students. Cycling to class is a great way to build up energy for the day and a nice way to unwind on the way home. Being alert, making sure you’re seen, preparing for the ride, and taking safety precautions will make each ride a little safer.
If you or a loved one is involved in a bicycle crash, reach out to see how our staff can help your case. Reach us by email or by calling (415) 466-8717.