Safety Tips for Pedestrians and Bicyclists.

With Flat Rock and Downriver areas getting an increasing number of walkers and bikers on our roadways we have some Safety Tips from local public safety groups.

Pedestrians and bicyclists are much more likely to suffer an injury or fatality in a traffic crash than drivers. In fact, while pedestrian and bicycle crashes make up approximately one percent of all traffic crashes, they account for almost 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in Southeast Michigan.

With the increased interest in walking and biking across the region, it is everyone’s responsibility to keep our streets safe for all users, especially those most vulnerable.

Safety Tips

 Walk Safe

Always…

• Look left-right-left before crossing a street and watch for turning vehicles.
• Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections.
• Obey all traffic signals. Only enter the street during the “WALK” symbol when crossing at a signal.
• Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far to the left as possible.
• Yield the right-of-way to motorists and bicyclists when crossing outside of a marked crosswalk.
• Allow ample time for a vehicle to yield prior to entering the street.

Never…

• Assume drivers see you. Wait for them to stop and make eye contact before crossing a street.
• Walk after dark and in bad weather without bright and reflective clothing.
• Walk distracted, including talking or texting on your phone or listening to headphones.

 Bike Safe

Always…

• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Ride with traffic, not against it, including on sidewalks and paths.
• Watch for turning vehicles at intersections and driveways.
• Use your hands to signal when you plan to turn, slow down, or stop.
• Wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on sidewalks or crosswalks.
• Give an audible warning before you pass people on a sidewalk or bicyclists on the road or path.

Never…

• Ride after dark without a white headlight, a red rear light, and bright and reflective clothing.
• Ride distracted, including talking or texting on your phone or listening to headphones.

 Drive Safe

Always…

• Watch for people who are walking and biking.
• Yield to people walking and biking when turning.
• Stop or yield to people within all crosswalks. Crosswalks exist wherever sidewalks cross roads, even if no lines are painted in the road.
• Share the road with bicyclists. They are legally allowed to ride on all roads, even when there is a bike lane or side path present.
• Leave at least 3 feet when passing bicyclists.
• Obey the posted speed limit.

Never…

• Block or park in crosswalks and bike lanes.
• Pass a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians.
• Drive distracted, including talking or texting on your phone.
• Drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.

Pedestrians and bicyclists are much more likely to suffer an injury or fatality in a traffic crash than drivers. In fact, while pedestrian and bicycle crashes make up approximately one percent of all traffic crashes, they account for almost 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in Southeast Michigan.

With the increased interest in walking and biking across the region, it is everyone’s responsibility to keep our streets safe for all users, especially those most vulnerable.

Safety Tips

 Walk Safe

Always…

• Look left-right-left before crossing a street and watch for turning vehicles.
• Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections.
• Obey all traffic signals. Only enter the street during the “WALK” symbol when crossing at a signal.
• Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far to the left as possible.
• Yield the right-of-way to motorists and bicyclists when crossing outside of a marked crosswalk.
• Allow ample time for a vehicle to yield prior to entering the street.

Never…

• Assume drivers see you. Wait for them to stop and make eye contact before crossing a street.
• Walk after dark and in bad weather without bright and reflective clothing.
• Walk distracted, including talking or texting on your phone or listening to headphones.

 Bike Safe

Always…

• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Ride with traffic, not against it, including on sidewalks and paths.
• Watch for turning vehicles at intersections and driveways.
• Use your hands to signal when you plan to turn, slow down, or stop.
• Wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on sidewalks or crosswalks.
• Give an audible warning before you pass people on a sidewalk or bicyclists on the road or path.

Never…

• Ride after dark without a white headlight, a red rear light, and bright and reflective clothing.
• Ride distracted, including talking or texting on your phone or listening to headphones.

 Drive Safe

Always…

• Watch for people who are walking and biking.
• Yield to people walking and biking when turning.
• Stop or yield to people within all crosswalks. Crosswalks exist wherever sidewalks cross roads, even if no lines are painted in the road.
• Share the road with bicyclists. They are legally allowed to ride on all roads, even when there is a bike lane or side path present.
• Leave at least 3 feet when passing bicyclists.
• Obey the posted speed limit.

Never…

• Block or park in crosswalks and bike lanes.
• Pass a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians.
• Drive distracted, including talking or texting on your phone.
• Drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.