Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

Education and Safety

One of the primary goals of Talbot Thrive is to ensure the safety of its county residents and visitors while utilizing its roads, paths, trails and sidewalks, regardless of means of transport.

Our society today has come to recognize that our communities have to be designed to support all methods of transportation, without preference to any one particular means. Whether individuals are moving about by motor vehicle, on foot, or by bicycle, it is essential that education and safety be clearly defined to ensure proper compliance of city, county, state and federal laws, and understanding and appreciating how different means of transportation has to safely coexist.

Vision Zero, which Talbot Thrive wishes to achieve for our county, is a global movement to end traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by taking a systemic approach to road safety. The premise of this strategy is that road deaths and injuries are unacceptable and preventable.

The structure of an effective Vision Zero strategy embodies the Safe System approach. (This page offers you instruction and web links to government and special interest organizations that provide details everyone should become familiar with while sharing our roads, paths, trails and sidewalks, regardless the means of transportation being used.)

Share the Road

Regardless of your means of transportation, you have an obligation to share equal access. Maryland state has provided the following websites with instruction:

Driver, Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

Important Definitions

Zero Deaths Maryland

General Guidelines

Drive safely – motor vehicles must be considerate of pedestrians and bicyclists. Roadway users who do not have the protection of a motor vehicle are usually more vulnerable in a crash with a car than vehicle occupants. Did you know that operators of motor vehicles sharing the road have to:
Stop for pedestrians—Maryland law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and intersections.
Enter and exit driveways slowly looking for pedestrians behind your vehicle.
Allow 3 feet when passing bicyclists on the road and avoid doing so on blind bends in the road.

Driver Safety MDOT

Walk/run safe

On average, 100 pedestrians are killed each year in Maryland and most incidents are preventable. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration recommends that pedestrians follow these several safety tips:

Always look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Why? The immediate risk is traffic coming from the left.
Walk do not run across the street.
Where available, press the pedestrian signal button and wait for the walk signal
Pay attention, avoid using headphones or cellphones.
Carry a flashlight and wear bright clothing if walking at night. Be seen!
Be predictable by using sidewalks and crosswalks whoever possible.
Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them to ensure they see you.
From: Be Street Wise – Drive Safe. Walk Safe. Bike Safe.

Cycle/Skate/Scooter Safety

By Maryland state law, bicycles are considered vehicles, and bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. Bicyclists fare best when they act like and are treated as drivers of vehicles.

Maryland State Specific Bike Laws

Bikes, inline skating, skateboarding, and scooters are very popular activities and are a great form of exercise. But without protective gear and proper use they can be dangerous. According to the CDC (from 2010-2016) two of the top five most frequent activities that caused emergency department visits include pedal cycling, and roller skating or skateboarding, for children and young adult participants.
Wearing a helmet whenever riding a bike, inline skates, skateboard, or scooter should be an automatic habit. Helmets should fit correctly on your head and also be fastened correctly. A correctly fastened and fitting helmet does not move around on the head.

Keep your bicycle in top form. To ensure proper control as you ride your bike has to be properly fitted to your size. Bicycles require regular maintenance that should be performed by trained mechanics. Keep an eye on the wear and tear your tires and brake pads experience, both have to be reliable.

Bike Safety Tools
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety

Español:

https://www.safekids.org/sites/default/files/documents/espanol/bike-and-wheeled-sports-sp.pdf
https://www.safekids.org/sites/default/files/documents/espanol/How-to-Fit-a-Helmet-SPAN-NHTSA.pdf

Depending on what surface you are traveling, there are laws and rules of etiquette that will make everyone’s journey a safe and enjoyable one.

Road use –

Share the road. Be aware that there are faster means of transportation attempting to pass you.
Single file on busy roads, only buddy up on quiet ones.
Be predictable. Hold a straight line as you travel. Use hand signals to indicate changes in direction or stopping. Claim your space so you can travel safely within it, being reasonable while doing so.
Run or walk against traffic flow, if you must share a roadway. Pay attention to oncoming traffic and assume that they aren’t.
Be seen. Use bright & reflective clothes and lighting.

Path/Trail use –

Show courtesy to other trail users at all times.
Cyclists must ride at a casual pace and be prepared for safety stops.
Do not stop and stand blocking the pathway of others.
Use the right side of the trail except when otherwise designated.
Always pass on the left.
Respect the rights of property owners.
Keep dogs on leash (maximum length eight feet) and remove/bag/ discard pet feces from trail.

Sidewalk use –

Walk this way:

Make room for others, stay to the right of the walk.
Pay attention to your surroundings, don’t stop suddenly, don’t block others.
Keep your pet on a tight lead and to the right of you and be prepared to step aside, allowing other walkers to pass.
Don’t take up the entire sidewalk, greet people, but give them space.
Walk faster or move over.
Don’t walk and text on the phone, get off the phone.