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Rules of the Road: Safety Tips for Runners and Bikers

April 07, 2014

Rules of the Road: Safety Tips for Runners and Bikers

Rules of the Road: Safety Tips for Runners and Bikers

After the long winter we’ve had, I’m sure many Tennesseans are itching to get outside and lace up their running shoes, dust off their bicycles, or let the convertible top down to soak up some sunshine.

That’s why this Spring will be an especially busy time for bikers, pedestrians and motorists. However, these three populations don’t always coexist happily, and their combination on roadways can be downright deadly.

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, 1,251 pedestrians (which includes walkers, joggers, dog-walkers, skateboarders, rollerbladers, etc.) were involved in motor vehicle accidents across the state in 2013. In the same year, 427 bicyclists were injured in traffic crashes in Tennessee.

Before you tie those laces, jump on your bike or rev your engine, make sure you know how to interact with everyone on the road – runners, cyclists and motorists – to avoid tragedy this Spring. You also want to know your rights in case the unthinkable becomes a reality.

Laws For Pedestrians (Including Runners and Joggers)

According to the law, anyone traveling by the power of two feet is a pedestrian, no matter the speed. This includes runners, joggers, dog-walkers, people crossing the street, teenagers on skateboards and everything in between.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation provides a detailed listing of pedestrian laws on their website, but also offers these general guidelines:

Laws For Cyclists

According to the law, anyone traveling by wheels under the power of the human body is a cyclist, whether it is a unicycle, bicycle or a custom vehicle.

Just like with pedestrians, the Tennessee Department of Transportation provides a detailed listing of laws on their website that apply to cyclists, but also offers these general guidelines:

Safety Tips for Pedestrians and Cyclists

While all of these laws are intended to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe, there are still more things that walkers, runners and bikers can do to protect themselves:

Laws for Motorists

Laws for motorists are more extensive than those for pedestrians and cyclists. You apply them every day when driving to work or to school, and probably came from some driver’s education years ago. They’re designed to keep everyone on the road safe, no matter how they’re getting from Point A to Point B.

Safety Tips for Motorists

Applying a few safety tips on top of existing laws can help keep everyone on the road safe:

Knowing the official laws that apply to your mode of transportation, plus applying these safety tips, will help everyone do their part to stay safe this Spring.

In the next blog post, we will discuss what to do if tragedy strikes when pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles come in contact.

“Fighting for your rights” Contact David Weissman and the law firm of Raybin & Weissman for a confidential consultation of your case today at 615-256-6666.