January 6, 2015 · Exit133

New Bike Ed Campaign

You may have noticed new lane and traffic markings that have popped up around Tacoma, especially along the recently completed 13.1 miles of bikeways. That trail runs from South 96th and Park, through downtown Tacoma, out to North 26th and Stevens. You may also have noticed some bike-themed ads here on our website. The images will be popping up elsewhere in the coming months, offering helpful tips on how to navigate a shared roadway and navigate the various markings.

The tips are meant to educate cyclists and pedestrians, as well as drivers. There are tips on who has the right of way in crosswalks (spoiler alert, it's not cars).

Education on how to treat those bike images with arrows that appear in car lanes (they're called sharrows, and they tell cyclists and drivers to share the lane, with all following the rules for vehicles.)

A reminder to play nice with others, and that verbal or physical harassment is not only not nice, but is actually a crime.

Another reminder (which we don't think can be emphasized enough) that every intersection is a crosswalk, and that every pedestrian and cyclist in a marked or unmarked crosswalk has the right of way.

A rule you may or may not know if you're newer to cycling: bicycles at night need to have a white light in front, and a red reflector (or red light) in the rear, just like cars.

An answer to a common question: how do you treat those green boxes painted in the bike lane? Answer: They're meant to draw attention to cyclists in busy or other potentially dangerous stretches, where they may be choosing to ride in the road, on the shoulder, or in the bike lane. Drivers should be especially on the lookout for cyclists when turning across one of these lanes.

There are some good reminders here, and some good clarifications of rules. We hear fairly frequent complaints from both cyclists and drivers that the other group doesn't know, or chooses not to follow the rules of the road. With this new bikeway, and with cycling on the rise, this seems like as good at time as any to get some facts out there, and to get everyone on the same page.

Are there any other rules related to bikes, pedestrians, and cars that you'd like to see getting a little more attention?

Filed under: Transportation, Walkable Tacoma, Biking, Roads

5 comments

Garrett January 11, 2015

I find that, thankfully, when Tacoma's residents are driving they drive in a safe and legal manner amenable to bicyclists and pedestrians, and when Tacoma's residents are cycling and walking they do so in a safe and legal manner amenable to drivers. There are a few bad apples of each flavor (car, bike, ped) that give their 'group' a bad name, but in general, it works. One area of improvement, I think, is to get more lights on bikes at night, and for all of us, when we are driving, to remember that it's our responsibility to drive safe and look out for everything on the roadway, including cars, bikes (lit or not), pedestrians, children playing, animals, potholes, etc.
Brett January 12, 2015

I agree with Garrett . I think overall Tacoma is a pretty friendly place to ride and riders are generally courteous. It is important to remember that bikes are required to follow the same traffic laws as cars when in the roadway, and in turn cars need to give bikers the same respect as if they were in a vehicle. Any campaign targeted at sharing the roads is time well spent. I really like these ads.
Kristina Walker January 12, 2015

Love this! Looking forward to spreading the word here at Downtown On the Go. Thanks, City of Tacoma!
Matt Newport January 12, 2015

I love the folk song/voice-of-the-people reference here! As a ride leader for Kidical Mass Tacoma (a monthly bike ride for kids and families) I'm really excited to see the City making the extra effort to better educate ALL road users on how we can travel safely together. These are the lessons that we're trying to teach young riders, but they apply to everyone trying to get from A to B safely.
Teri January 12, 2015

I especially like the reminder that every intersection is a crosswalk, even if it's not marked! I think this is something many people might not know. Let's make it the norm to stop (in our cars or on our bikes) for people trying to cross the road.