Safety & Education

Come to a meeting every third Thursday at 7:00 at the MArge Williams Center



Is there a helmet law on Bainbridge? Yes. By Ordinance 2001-06 you must wear a helmet on a bike (or while using a skateboard, roller blades or scooter) or you can receive a ticket and a fine. There are also helmet laws in Poulsbo and Bremerton. Here is Kitsap County helmet information. If getting a helmet is a problem, there is a low cost helmet program in Kitsap County - contact: Helmets for Youth at 206-842-2409. Nobody needs to go without a helmet - I mean, how much is your brain worth anyway? Don't blame the police when they stop you. Bainbridge Islanders voted for this law.
Bike & Bike Repair Classes
squeaky wheels offers annual adult beginning/ review classes and children's summer riding camp. The adult classes are generally in the spring and cover equipment, safety and taking the ferry by bike. The children's classes are in the summer. All squeaky wheels classes are offered through the Bainbridge Island Park District for insurance purposes because Americans are so litigious. (said fondly) Watch for posters and check the Park District brochures for times and dates. Both bike shops - B.I. Cycle (206-842-6413) and Classic Cycle (206-842-9191) offer repair and maintenance classes if you call and arrange a time.
Safety & Education Programs
NATIONAL BIKE TO WORK AND SCHOOL DAY Here is information about the US annual Bike to Work and School Day and suggestions for bringing it to your community. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS PROGRAMS This is a popular program spreading across Canada and the U.S. designed to decrease traffic and pollution and increase the health of children and the community. This site includes links to the Walking School bus program and many other safety links. Also, there is a GREAT short video at the League of American Bicyclists site, plus some good contacts and support for starting a Safe Routes to Schools program in your community. Here is an interesting NPR report about kids and the current state of cycling WASHINGTON TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Information about getting a "Share the Road" bus and/or license plates in memory of Cooper Jones, and ordering many free traffic safety materials, etc. WASHINGTON STATE LAWS The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is the compilation of all permanent laws now in force. TRANSPORTATION CONNECTIONS A transportation information clearing site that promotes the use of existing mass transportation options and provides a forum for casual usage ride share matches. VELORUTION Great bicycle information freeware zone including the WA State Bicycle Commuter's guide. All free! WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BICYCLE LINKS Tons of bicycle stuff on the state website. Your tax dollars at work! Go check it out. BIKES BELONG COALITION Bikes Belong Coalition is a membership organization founded by bicycle industry leaders with the mission of "putting more people on bikes more often."

By law, bikes are considered vehicles.
(R.C.W. 46.61.755 & 750)
Obey all rules, signs and procedures required of motor vehicles when riding or you can be ticketed.

Always ride in the direction of traffic!! Only walkers are safer going against traffic.
Pass on the left side when over-taking other vehicles in traffic, except if the other vehicle is turning left.
Yield to pedestrians on sidewalks, bike paths, or in the street.

Ride as far to the right as possible where safe to do so.
(R.C.W. 46.61.770)
You can occupy the middle of the lane when you are travelling at the speed of traffic or when the road is too narrow or roadside conditions are poor.

Use standard hand signals.
(R.C.W. 46.61.758)

Keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times
(R.C.W. 46.61.775)

Use front and back lights at night.
(R.C.W. 46.61.780)
In darkness, a front lamp must be used which emits a white light visible to a distance of at least 500 feet to the front. A red reflector must be used on the rear of the bike, visible up to 600 feet in all distances to the rear.

Never ride more than two abreast.
(R.C.W. 46.61.770)

Do not hitch onto a motor vehicle in traffic.
(R.C.W. 46.61.765)

Every bicycle must be equipped with brakes that enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(R.C.W. 46.61.780)

A rider must ride on a seat attached to the bicycle.
(R.C.W. 46.61.760)

Do not ride with more people than the bike is equipped to carry.
(R.C.W. 46.61.760)

“Newspapers are unable, seemingly, to discriminate between a bicycle accident
and the collapse of civilization” - George Bernard Shaw

[ home ] [ about ] [ faqs ] [ rides/maps ] [ contact info ] [ safety/ed ] [ ferry ] [ links ] [photos] [join ]
:: hosted by adhost.com