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Quick guidefor better biking

Saety tips and bike lawsAs a bicyclist, you have the same rights andresponsibilities as a motorist. Follow these tips tomake your ride sae and enjoyable.

Be predictableRide so drivers can see you and predict yourmovements.

Obey trafc signs and lightsTo be respected by motorists, obey the same

trafc laws they obey.

Use bicycle trafc detection devicesLook or a small, white bicycle decal in the

pavement at an intersection. Place your wheel

over it to change the trafc signal.

Never ride against trafcMotorists arent looking or bicyclists riding on

the wrong side o the road. To be most visible

and sae, ride with trafc.

Use hand signalsHand signals allow you to signal to motorists a

change in direction. You are required to signal

100 eet beore turning at an intersection.

Dont weave between parked carsRide as close as possible to the right. Ride

consistently. Always scan parked vehicles or

people who may open a door in your path.

Ride in the middle o the laneYou can ride in the middle o the lane at busy

intersections or when riding at the same speed

as cars. Otherwise, ride to the ar right unless

you are passing, turning let, avoiding hazards orriding in a narrow lane.

Turn correctlyThere are two ways to turn let: signal and turn

let rom the trafc lane, or keep right until you

reach the ar corner o the intersection and then

turn and wait until its clear to cross (or until the

light changes).

Go slowly on sidewalksYou must yield to pedestrians and provide anaudible warning as you prepare to pass them.

You may not ride on sidewalks in downtown

Portland.

LEFT

RIGHT

Be alertRide deensively and expect the unexpected.

Use caution when passingYou may pass slowed or stopped trafc on the

right only when it is sae. Be very careul when

overtaking cars and stay out o a motorists blind

spot as a driver may not signal when turning.

Be prepared or cars pulling out to cross

your path at driveUntil youve made eye contact, assume that a

stopped motorist in a driveway or cross street has

not yet seen you.

Know whats behind youTrain yoursel to look over your shoulder without

losing your balance or swerving, or use a rearview

mirror.

Avoid road hazardsBe on the lookout or rail tracks, sewer grates,

manhole covers, oily pavement, wet leaves, gravel

and ice. Cross rail tracks at a right angle. Do

not ride through large puddles; they may hide apothole.

Look or bike boxesGreen bike boxes are located at intersections and

marked with a bicycle symbol. They create a sae

and more visible space or bicyclists to stop at

trafc lights.

Use caution in cycle tracksCycle tracks are physically protected lanes or

bikes. When riding in one, be watchul when

approaching an intersecting driveway or cross

street.

Be equippedInvest in the necessary gear.

Cover the basicsYour bike should be sized to your height. A hard-

shell helmet reduces your risk o head injury in

a crash. Bicyclists under 16 are required to wear

one.

Gear up or urban conditionsFront and rear bike lights are required i you ride

at dusk, dawn or night. Consider a rearviewmirror, enders or rain and a bell, plus a rack,

basket or bike bag to carry groceries, books andnecessities.

SAFETY TIPS

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Quick guide or better bikingBiking is as an excellent way to get around, getexercise and experience the outdoors.

Whether youre new to biking or an experiencedcyclist, this quick guide provides saety inormationand resources to make your ride more enjoyable.This is just a taste o what you get with Metros new

Bike There! map.

Bike There! mapBike There! is printed on durable, waterproo paperand is available or $9. The map eatures:

detailed commuter maps odowntown Portland and 21area cities

an expanded regionalmap that shows popularrecreational cycling

destinations elevation points, steep

slopes and transit stations tohelp you extend your ride.

Learn where to purchase acopy and download ree mapsat www.oregonmetro.gov/bikethere.

Why bike? Our region has more than 600 miles o on-street

bike routes and 235 miles o o-street trails.

Hal o all trips in the U.S could be replaced witha 20-minute bike ride.

Households that walk and cycle as the primarymodes o travel save an average o $694 permonth.

Biking helps weight loss and heightens energylevels.

About MetroAn elected regional government, Metro helps youmake the Portland metropolitan area a great place

to live, work and ride your bike!

Know where you cant goI-5 between Delta Park (Exit 307) and Highway217 (Exit 292)

I-84 between its junction with I-5 and Lewis andClark State Park (Exit 18)

I-205 between the Columbia River and theHighway 43 overpass at West Linn

I-405, its entire length, including the Fremont andMarquam bridges

U.S. 26 between downtown Portland atSouthwest 13th Avenue and the west portals othe Vista Ridge tunnels

U.S. 30 between Northwest 23rd Avenue andI-405

EmergenciesTo report a collision or crash, call 911. For inormationon registering a stolen bike online, visit www.oregonmetro.gov/bikethere.

Road hazardsTo report a road maintenance issue (gravel, glass or adangerous pothole) in:

Portland, call 503-823-1700

East Multnomah County, call 503-988-5050

Clackamas County, call 503-557-6391

Washington County, call 503-846-7623

State highways, call ODOT at 503-731-4652.

Getting startedCheck out these resources to learn more aboutcycling in the region. Youll ind a range oinormation including how to buy a bike and saetygear without breaking the bank as well as how-tovideos on tuning up your bike, using the bike rack onbuses and much more.

Bicycle Transportation Alliancewww.bta4bikes.org

City o Portland, Bureau o Transportationwww.portlandonline.com/transportation

Community Cycling Centerwww.communitycyclingcenter.org

Drive less. Save more.www.drivelesssavemore.com

Metrowww.oregonmetro.gov/bikethere

Bikes on transitRegular-service TriMet buses, MAX, the PortlandStreetcar, the Portland Aerial Tram and WESCommuter Rail allow bikes on board i there is room;bike spaces ill ast at rush hour. C-TRAN and SMARTbuses also carry bikes.

Bike lockersTo locate bike lockers in or near:

Downtown Portland, call 503-823-CYCL (2925)

MAX lines, call 503-962-2104 or visit www.trimet.

org/bikes Lloyd District, call 503-236-6441 or visit www.

lloydtma.com

Wilsonvilles SMART Central, call 503-682-7790,ext. 1489 or visit www.ridesmart.com

Vancouver and Clark Countys C-TRAN, call360-695-0123 or visit www.c-tran.com.

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205

84

405

Metro disclaims any responsibility or errors, omissions or inaccuracies in

this guide. In no event shall Metro be liable or any damages or losses o

any kind related to the data and inormation contained in this guide.

Printed on recycled-content paper. 11084_v2