Summer is a wonderful time. The bright and warm sun and clear sky above your head beckon you to new adventures, travels, and trips. Including those who have not yet received the coveted certificate - a driver's license. Or those who already have them, but have no desire to get behind the wheel of their favorite gasoline (or diesel) iron horse. As a result, the “knights of pedals and bells” - cyclists - are joining the already busy traffic and pedestrian flow. They pour in like a stormy stream, sometimes not paying attention to anything - even the traffic rules. How to avoid becoming a “crunch” for motorists and a “goat” for pedestrians? Careta.info will tell you!
Traffic rules concerning cyclists
Many fans of muscle riding do not even suspect that there are rules for them, so they fearlessly go on the roads. Such carefree reckless drivers can easily run into a fine when meeting with a traffic police inspector. Separate traffic rules for cyclists have not yet been issued. Their rights and obligations are set out in the traffic rules for vehicles, which include two-wheelers in paragraph 1.2. Consequently, all the requirements regarding motor vehicles must also be met by the owners of “big bikes”. But in section 24, 6 paragraphs are directly devoted to them.
Duties of a cyclist on the road
The first and most important rule is to strictly follow traffic rules and not create emergency situations on the road. In addition, the cyclist must travel on special pedestrian or bicycle paths, curbs or sidewalks. Bike drivers can ride in general traffic on the motorway from the age of 14. But at the same time you need to adhere to the same speed as cars. Accordingly, a person driving a bicycle must cross intersections, change lanes and turn in accordance with traffic rules. Other road users need to be warned about your maneuvers: in particular, indicate a turn by extending your arm in the appropriate direction.
Basic provisions
Any person who wants to purchase a two-wheeled friend should know that with it he also acquires responsibility for the safety of other people. Therefore, you need to clearly know what this unit is from a legal point of view.
Bicycle as a vehicle
A device with a steering wheel and pedals, as the traffic rules for cyclists state, belongs to vehicles. Consequently, their owners are equal to drivers of cars, trucks, trolleybuses and buses. They, just like the driver of the KamAZ, are road users. This imposes a certain responsibility on cyclists and obliges them to behave correctly on the roads, without interfering with the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Moreover, in the event of an accident, drivers of two-wheeled vehicles suffer first of all, since they are not protected by the body, unlike motorists.
Who can control
Manufacturers produce a huge number of bicycle models for all ages. Therefore, you can see both a three-year-old child and a pensioner driving such a device. It is clear that small children should travel on their three-wheeled units only when accompanied by adults and under their constant supervision, since they often do not know where they are going. The movement area for children is limited to pedestrian paths and sidewalks.
As for independent movement, there are age restrictions on movement in certain places.
Children from 7 to 14 years old can travel:
- along pedestrian areas;
- bicycle pedestrian and bicycle paths;
- pedestrian paths;
- sidewalks.
Starting from the age of 14, when a bicycle turns from a device for walking into a vehicle, its owner is allowed to ride in other places. At the same time, a list of rules appears, which are ordered to be strictly followed. If one or more of the top items from this list are absent in the road situation, you should be guided by the item below.
Movement is allowed:
- Along a bicycle lane or path, a bicycle pedestrian path.
- On the right edge of the road.
- On the side of the road.
- On the sidewalk, pedestrian path.
For example, if there is no bicycle lane or bicycle pedestrian path, you must go to step 2 and move along the right edge of the roadway. If this is also impossible (heavy traffic), you need to follow step 3 and pull over to the side of the road.
Cyclists' rights
Despite the fact that bicycles are classified as vehicles, their owners have limited rights, and this was done for safety reasons. Not all lanes of the roadway are accessible to two-wheelers, and even in the far right lane, they are only allowed to ride on the edge of the road.
But cyclists have the right to move:
- on the side of the road;
- along bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian paths;
- on sidewalks, provided that driving does not interfere with the movement of pedestrians.
Otherwise, you will have to drive the bike by the steering wheel. In this situation, its owner automatically becomes a pedestrian. If he collides with a car moving on the sidewalk (and in some cases this is allowed), he will not be at fault. But the cyclist driving will have to pay for car repairs if his guilt is proven.
Responsibilities
The driver of a two-wheeled unit must comply with all requirements for the movement of cyclists set out in the traffic rules.
He is obliged:
- keep the vehicle in technically sound condition;
- do not interfere with traffic;
- allow pedestrians to pass at intersections;
- do not interfere with the movement of passers-by on the sidewalks;
- in conditions of insufficient visibility, use light devices;
- Before turns, indicate changes in direction of travel with signs.
Vehicle definition
According to the definition from the traffic rules, transport includes devices for transporting people, as well as cargo and equipment installed on transport. This is indicated in paragraph 1.2 of the set of traffic rules. That is, the main function of a vehicle is transportation. Classification involves several types:
According to the rules of the road, a bicycle is also a vehicle of a wheeled mechanical type, driven by the muscle power of a person sitting on it, or by an electric motor, which has a maximum power during long-term movement of no more than 0.25 kW and turns off at a speed above 25 km /h.
A cyclist is considered a bicycle driver; he is obliged to follow the rules of the road and bear responsibility for their non-compliance and for traffic safety. This is especially true for those cyclists who ride on the highway.
Having entered the roadway, the cyclist becomes a full participant in the road traffic, just like the driver of a car or public transport. However, not all bicycle drivers are conscientious people, despite the fact that they are already quite old. Only persons over 14 years of age can drive on the motorway. Very often, older and older cyclists behave on the road like pedestrians.
You should always remember that when dismounting a bicycle, a person obeys the general rules for pedestrians, and when riding a bicycle, the rules for car drivers.
Basic traffic rules
To ride a bicycle safely, you must follow the rules of the road, because this vehicle can reach a decent speed - up to 40 km/h, and a sports vehicle with a set of gears - even more. If you speed up and lose control of the situation, you can hit a person and get into an accident. Therefore you need to be extremely careful.
Maneuver signals
When moving along the roadway, bicycle enthusiasts must warn other road users about upcoming maneuvers. Before turning left (right), you must move your left (right) hand to the side. It is worth noting that turning left, except for cases specifically specified in the traffic rules, is prohibited for cyclists. In this situation, before the intersection you need to go down and cross it in pedestrian mode, leading your “iron horse” by the steering wheel, and then get back on the bike and continue to follow the intended route. Before braking, you need to extend your right or left arm up.
When driving in a convoy, another signal is used. It is served to those riding behind. A hand lowered down indicates the presence of a hole on the side from which the limb is lowered. It is better not to use a bent arm at the elbow to give signals (they are for car drivers), so as not to mislead those driving behind.
Lanes and lanes
Road markings are made for cars, so cyclists are only allowed to ride in the right lane closer to the side of the road, so as not to interfere with other vehicles whose speed is much higher. Cyclists are prohibited from traveling on expressways. You can't change lanes either. The exception is making a U-turn when there is no other vehicle on the road.
If cycling enthusiasts ride in a convoy, they must adhere to special rules:
- move only in one row;
- with a bike width of no more than 0.75 m, 2-row traffic is allowed;
- a large column is divided into groups of 10 bikers or pairs (with 2-row traffic);
- a distance of 80-100 m is maintained between groups (to facilitate overtaking).
Bikers are allowed to overtake other vehicles if the maneuver does not interfere with other road users. Overtaking takes place on the left side.
Behavior at traffic lights
Cyclists, like other vehicle drivers, must carefully monitor traffic lights and follow them strictly: stop when they are red and start moving when the light turns green. But they have one advantage - switching to pedestrian mode. If you use this wisely, you can reduce the time you spend at an intersection. When riding on the sidewalk, approaching an intersection, you need to get off your bike.
You cannot cross an intersection at a pedestrian crossing on a bike. You need to drive him. Having completed the transition, you can saddle the “iron horse” again.
If the road has only one lane for traffic and there are no tram tracks, the cyclist is allowed to turn left.
Crossing intersections
When the situation at the intersection is regulated by traffic lights, everything is much simpler. All that remains is to carefully monitor the signals and follow them correctly. At uncontrolled intersections, you need to know the rules for their passage, which are published in the traffic rules. First, all traffic moving along the main road is allowed through. If the roads at the intersection are equal, when driving straight ahead, traffic moving in the transverse direction on the right side is first allowed through. When turning left (which in most cases is prohibited for cyclists), all vehicles moving on the right and directly in the oncoming direction are allowed to pass.
To make the rules for driving through an intersection easier to remember, among drivers there is the concept of “obstacle on the right.” When moving straight or to the left, you must give way to all traffic located to the right of the biker. A car approaching in the oncoming lane, if the bicycle driver decides to turn left in front of him, will also become an “interference on the right”, therefore, you must definitely let it pass.
It turns out that the easiest thing to do at an uncontrolled intersection is to turn right. But for lovers of cycling, it is not easy when there is a car nearby, also turning right. In this situation, the bike may end up in a blind spot, the motorist will not notice it and will begin a maneuver, risking injury to the person driving the bike. The same thing can happen if the driver of a car wants to make a right turn, and the owner of a bicycle is riding straight next to him.
You need to pay attention in other situations as well. Even if you are confident that you are right, before starting the maneuver you should make sure that other drivers see the cyclist and know in which direction he will start moving next.
Transportation of children
Families often use two-wheeled vehicles to take their children to kindergarten. At the same time, they wonder whether transporting children by bicycle is prohibited. Children under 7 years old can only be transported with a special seat, which is attached either to the frame or to the trunk. In the first case, the child can be seen during transportation, and this is a huge plus, but it is much more comfortable for children to ride in the back seat. Children over 7 years of age and adult passengers can also be transported if this is provided for by the design of the bicycle. You can find out about this in the instruction manual.
Behavior at pedestrian crossings
Here the biker can behave both as a driver and as a pedestrian. In the first case, when approaching a pedestrian crossing, he must brake and allow pedestrians to cross the roadway without hindrance. In the second case, the bicycle is driven by the handlebars next to you, moving along the crossing in the same flow as pedestrians.
Illuminated bicycle markings
Riding in the dark is dangerous, so all bikes must be equipped with light markers. Retroreflective elements are installed on both sides of each wheel. There should also be lanterns. The front is white, the back is red.
The greatest danger is driving without illuminated signs in the fall, when there is no snow yet. In such a situation, car drivers do not see a cyclist moving along the edge of the roadway until he falls into the beam of headlights. When this happens, the driver of the car has too little time to react, so the largest number of hit-and-run bikers occurs during this period.
Which hand is better to give a turn signal?
The description of the signals indicating turns indicates that you can use either one hand or the other. It is worth considering situations in which left or right is appropriate.
Bicycle, motorcycle, moped
When using a two-wheeled vehicle, it is best to signal with your arm outstretched. For car drivers, such a gesture will be clearer than an arm bent at the elbow. As practice shows, many people are misled by this sign.
Car or bus
With regular cars everything is much simpler. It is almost impossible to signal with your right hand while sitting behind the wheel, since putting it out the open window on the left side is simply inconvenient. Therefore, one gesture is provided - with the left hand. If the steering wheel is placed on the right side, the upcoming turn is demonstrated with the right hand.
Major violations
The most common violation is cycling in a pedestrian crossing. Moreover, the bikers themselves do not consider this a violation. Drivers are not required to let bikers pass at the crossing, because they are not pedestrians. That's why they are often hit by cars. During school holidays, many children suffer from ignorance of this nuance. Pedestrians can also be injured when the flow is dense and the speed of the two-wheeled vehicle is high.
The second most common violation is driving along the edge of the road in the opposite direction. Pedestrians are allowed to do this if there is no sidewalk nearby. But cyclists do not relate to them when they are sitting in the saddle, although they sincerely believe that in this case they are doing the right thing.
Other disorders that are less common include:
- riding without hands;
- transportation of children and passengers on bikes not intended for this purpose;
- transportation of oversized cargo, when the luggage extends beyond the dimensions of the bicycle by more than half a meter in width;
- driving on highways;
- left turn when there are two or more traffic lanes, as well as tram tracks;
- using a bike as a tow vehicle.
Fines for cyclists
It is noteworthy that in the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) a bicycle is not classified as a vehicle, but there is a special article 12.29 dedicated to violations by bicycle bikers. A fine of 800 rubles is imposed if traffic rules are violated while sober, and from 100 to 1,500 rubles if the biker was intoxicated.
If the driver of a two-wheeled vehicle moves in pedestrian mode, another article of the Code of Administrative Offenses applies to him - 12.30. In case of interference with another vehicle, a fine of 1 thousand rubles is imposed for the violation. If you cause harm to health of mild or moderate severity, you will have to pay a fine of 1,500 rubles.
Traffic rules for drivers of bicycles, mopeds (scooters)
The concepts of “Bicycle”, “Moped”.
“Bicycle” is a vehicle, other than wheelchairs, that has two or more wheels and is propelled by the muscular power of its occupants.
“Moped” is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle driven by an engine with a displacement of not more than 50 cubic meters. cm and having a maximum design speed of no more than 50 km/h. Bicycles with a suspended engine, mopeds and other vehicles with similar characteristics are considered mopeds.
The driver of a bicycle or scooter always has the opportunity to temporarily turn into a pedestrian : persons driving a bicycle or moped are considered pedestrians.
At what age is it legal to drive on the roads?
Persons at least 14 years of age are allowed to drive a bicycle while driving on roads, and persons at least 16 years of age are allowed to drive a moped.
Sidewalks and roadsides are classified as roads, so persons under 14 years of age are not allowed to travel on them .
Changes to the Federal Law “On Road Safety” for scooter riders:
Persons who have reached the age of sixteen, if they have a driving license (“driver’s license” (from May 2014), can drive vehicles of category “M” (mopeds and light quadricycles) and subcategory “A1" (motorcycles with internal combustion engine displacement , not exceeding 125 cubic centimeters, and a maximum power not exceeding 11 kilowatts).
Where is it allowed to drive?
Can:
- if there is a bicycle path , then only along it (in this case it is not possible on the roadway),
- if there is no bicycle path - along the roadway in one row, possibly to the right,
- driving on the side of the road if this does not interfere with pedestrians.
It is forbidden:
— on motorways,
— along the dividing strips of the roadway,
— along the sidewalks . Cyclists and scooter riders are drivers, not pedestrians!
- along pedestrian paths ,
— along pedestrian crossings . If you want to move along the sidewalk, pedestrian path, or crosswalk, then you need to get off your bike or scooter. A person driving a bicycle or scooter is a pedestrian.
How to ride correctly?
Riding a bicycle or scooter is carried out in the same direction as vehicles. pedestrians towards vehicles !
When cyclists move on the right edge of the roadway, cyclists must move only in one lane .
A column of cyclists may move in two rows if the overall width of the bicycles does not exceed 0.75 m .
The column of cyclists must be divided into groups of 10 cyclists in the case of single-lane traffic, or into groups of 10 pairs in the case of double-lane traffic. To facilitate overtaking, the distance between groups should be 80 - 100 m .
The scooter driver must travel along the road wearing a fastened motorcycle helmet .
During daylight hours, all moving vehicles must low-beam headlights
You cannot drive a bicycle or scooter without holding the handlebars.
Bicycles and scooters cannot carry passengers , except for a child under 7 years of age on an additional seat equipped with footrests. Any scooter is a single-seater vehicle. And even if it has 2 seats, you can only carry a small child in the second seat.
You cannot transport cargo that protrudes more than 0.5 m in length or width beyond the dimensions, or cargo that interferes with control.
The driver of a bicycle or scooter must use turn signals before starting, changing lanes, turning, and stopping.
Since bicycles are not equipped with light turn indicators, signals must be given by hand. Accordingly, a left turn signal corresponds to an outstretched left hand, and a right turn signal corresponds to an outstretched right hand. Turn signals must be given well in advance of the turn. You can return your hand to the steering wheel immediately before starting the turn.
You cannot turn left or turn around if there are 2 or more lanes on the road in that direction.
To turn left or turn around, you need to get to a pedestrian crossing, get off your bike or scooter, thus becoming a pedestrian, after crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing, get back on your bike or scooter and continue moving.
Bicycle and scooter drivers must give way to pedestrians!
Outside an intersection , when a bicycle path intersects with a road, the driver of a bicycle or scooter must give way to vehicles moving on this road, i.e. wait until all cars have passed on the road.
A bicycle or scooter, just like any other vehicle, must slow down or stop before crossing to allow pedestrians to pass.
It is prohibited to tow bicycles and mopeds, as well as bicycles and mopeds, except towing a trailer designed for use with a bicycle or moped.
What is the maximum speed of a cyclist?
The maximum speed of a cyclist is limited to the same extent as for other vehicles. In the city it is prohibited to exceed the established limit of 60 km/h; in courtyards and residential areas the permitted speed is no more than 20 km/h. Cyclists are required to comply with speed limit road signs.
In addition, a cyclist can reach a speed above 25 km/h only using his own strength, since in accordance with the definition of “Bicycle”, the speed developed by a bicycle electric motor cannot exceed 25 km/h.
The most common traffic violations:
- moving towards oncoming vehicles,
— cycling on a pedestrian crossing. This violation is extremely dangerous, because cyclists appear very quickly and unexpectedly, and very often children die in such situations. Car drivers are not to blame in this case (they must only let pedestrians pass, which does not include cyclists),
— collision with a car turning right.
Punishment for violating traffic rules.
For cyclists and scooter riders there is a special article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation , which provides for fines for violating the rules:
Part 2. Violation of the Traffic Rules by a person driving a moped, bicycle... entails an administrative fine in the amount of eight hundred rubles.
Part 3. Violation of traffic rules by persons specified in part 2 of this article, committed while intoxicated, shall entail the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of one thousand to one thousand five hundred rubles.
However, there is another article in the Code of Administrative Offenses, which also applies to cyclists and scooter riders: Article 12.30 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation “Violation of the Rules of the Road by a pedestrian or other road user , resulting in interference with the movement of vehicles or causing minor or moderate harm to the health of the victim ":
Part 1. Violation of traffic rules ....., resulting in the creation of interference in the movement of vehicles - entails the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of one thousand rubles.
Part 2. Violation of traffic rules......, resulting through negligence in causing slight or moderate harm to the health of the victim - entails the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of one thousand to one thousand five hundred rubles.
Advice from experienced drivers
- A helmet is not only a mandatory requirement of traffic rules, but also actively protects your head not only in case of an accident, but also from random insects, stones from under the wheels and simply bad weather!
- Use the necessary equipment appropriate for the weather. Wear long sleeves and choose pants over shorts. This will protect you from sunburn, which will not be noticeable while the wind from movement blows on you. It is also much cooler when driving in the evening.
- You should not immediately drive onto the road. It’s better to practice in places where you can practice the necessary skills: starting, braking, turning. Even with significant motorcycle experience, it is necessary to adapt to a specific scooter.
- It is better to ride a scooter on wet asphalt or sandy roads with great caution and at low speeds. “ slip” on a scooter not only on a wet or dirty road, but also on rails or road markings.
- You should not drive too close between rows in traffic jams or near cars parked along the roadway: the car owner may unexpectedly open the door without seeing the moving scooter.
- In a traffic jam, you should not squeeze between slow-moving cars; you must maintain intervals and rows. Any pothole on the road can cause a sharp maneuver of the car, the driver of which at this moment is unlikely to look around to see if a scooter is driving nearby. Always be aware of ' blind spots .
- When moving along the roadway behind other vehicles, keep a distance of 10-15 meters: this will allow you to avoid an obstacle (for example, an open hatch) and avoid poorly controlled emergency braking.
- When braking on a scooter, you should use both the rear and front brakes. Otherwise, the scooter may skid or fall to one side due to the front wheel blocking.
- Railway rails, ledges, and curbs must be crossed at right angles at a speed of no more than 10 km/h.
- You are the same traffic participant as the driver of a car or trolleybus, therefore the rules are the same for everyone. But there is one BUT! In a fight between a scooter rider and a truck, the latter will most likely win, even if the former is right. Do not follow the principle and give way, because no principle is worth your health and life!
The main thing is to always remember that increased attention and discipline -
road safety guarantee!
