On September 22, World Car Day was celebrated, an initiative that aims to raise awareness among the population of the environmental consequences of mass automobile use, promoting on this day the use of other means of mobility, such as bicycles or public transport .
However, the reality day by day is that cyclists and drivers have to coexist on our roads, to ensure that this coexistence is safer or safer, we offer the following advice:
Cyclist Seja Case
Since there are differences between cycling in the city or on interurban roads, there is a series of instructions and/or recommendations, common to both types of roads, which must be followed.
Keep your bike in good condition
Check with frequency the state and press of the wheels, the lubrication of the current, the travões and the reflecting and lighting elements.
Always respect traffic rules
When you are on your bicycle, it is a vehicle that must follow all traffic regulations. This includes traffic lights, stop signs, passage signs, crossings, direction of the road...
Utilize sempre o capacete
Wearing the protective cap, duly approved, is mandatory for drivers and occupants when traveling on interurban roads, except for small exceptions (on prolonged ascending ramps, extreme heat conditions or for proven medical reasons). However, you should not see it as an item of clothing, but rather as an element of protection against impacts, which even in cities, at low speeds, can be very serious.
A Help Flash recommends its indiscriminate use as it is a key element for your safety.
Assinale os seus movimentos
This is of vital importance because bicycles have the problem of not having flashing lights.
Use all of your maneuvers with your arms to warn other drivers, especially when making straight and left curves. To do so, attach the arm with sufficient advance notice, visibly and safely in the direction of the curve.
No alcohol
The maximum alcohol level allowed for drivers in general (0.5 g/l of non-blood alcohol or non-expired alcohol exceeding 0.25 milligrams per liter) also affects the case of cycling , and may be required to submit to the relevant controls.
Nem telemóveis, nem other receivers
Note that it is prohibited to ride a bicycle and use headphones connected to sound receivers or players, as well as the use of the telephone.
Passageiros sim, mas… You will barely be able to lift a passenger , an approved additional seat, if you are less than seven years old and you are older than idade.
If you circulate in a group... Always in a single file or in parallel, from two to two and never in a pelotão.
Case circulate à night. Torne-se visível! Your bicycle must be fully equipped with the standard lighting system, so that other drivers can see it at a distance of 150 m .
In front there should be a position light in a white corner and in the rear there should be a position light in a red color and a retro-reflector, not triangular , of the same color. Optionally, you can increase, for greater visibility, the reflector lights in the car yellow, the spokes on the wheels and on each pedal. Also, you must wear, as a driver, a piece of reflective clothing , if you are traveling on interurban roads.
Caso circule na cidade
For all the above rules you must have other specific quests for the city . First of all, your bicycle must have, in addition to the equipment described above, a campaign that allows other users to be notified of its presence. The use of the helmet, in this case, is only mandatory for minors under 16 years of age , so we recommend its use to all cyclists regardless of their age.
Circulation must be carried out, if it exists, on a clearly delimited cycle path , instead of taxiing and never passing by. When traveling through this area you will have passage priority in relation to other vehicles. To cross a passadeira, if there is no cycle path or specific passage for cyclists, you must exit the bicycle and cross on foot .
Finally, please note that if there is an obstacle on the road, for your ultrapassagem you must notify in advance and leave a minimum lateral distance of 1.5 m .
Se for conductor
Whether you are a car driver, a truck driver or a motorcycle driver , at first you must be aware that in your interaction with the cyclist you are a vulnerable person, so the way you drive on the road must be careful to avoid situations that put your safety at risk, for all others. drivers.
Respeite os ciclistas
If you drive at a slower speed, take the same direction as you drive on public roads. Only highways are roads for exclusive use by motor vehicles , so the bicycle should be conceived as more of a circulation element and not as a hindrance.
Reduce speed
As a general guideline, in the presence of cyclists, reduce speed and ride with caution.
Keep a safe distance
Bicycles work very efficiently and there is a high risk of accidents due to rear collisions. It is not necessary for this distance to be as wide as when traveling behind another car, about 10 meters may be sufficient when a cyclist or group of cyclists is traveling at 30 km/h.
Ultrapasse com segurança
Always keep a minimum lateral safety distance of 1.5 m , like a bicycle, when maneuvering; but also avoiding overpassing other vehicles in double-duty lanes, when at the time of a cyclist's circular overpass in the opposite direction, even if he or she faces the berm.
Não toque na buzina
This can make the cyclist scared and cause a crash.
Cyclists have priority... On bicycle paths and in case they circulate in a group, they first start or cross or enter the roundabout.
If you drive around the city... You will be able to find parts of the wheels , which will be properly signposted. Always drive at the indicated speed, which is usually 30 km/h. Likewise, do not invade or park on bike lanes.
