Utah’s 2014 “Road Respect” Tour

by | Apr 23, 2014 | Biking Events, Cycling Tips, Utah Bicycle Accident Attorneys

 

Purpose of Utah Road Respect

cycling utah

Will the roads ever be a place where users of all modes of transportation can peacefully interact and safely respect each other’s rights? The Road Respect program of Utah believes so.

Reducing cycling fatalities and increasing awareness are a part of whole program. Since 2011, Bike Utah, the Utah Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Safety, Utah Highway Patrol and Zero Fatalities have teamed together to host a number of events. The mission of these Bike Tours is (according to roadrespect.utah.gov)

To promote safety by educating both drivers and cyclists about the rules of the road and encouraging mutual respect so that everyone gets home safely.

2014 Tour Schedule

2014 marks the 4th annual Road Respect Tour. This consists of 30 “Road Respect” cyclists, accompanied by several classic cobra automobiles, as they travel throughout the state, promoting safety techniques and demonstrating proper cycling/driving behavior.  The riders will move to several different Utah locations to join the local communities for open-public rides, as well as other various activities for cyclists and motorists of all ages and abilities. Mini car shows—including the classic cars—will  also take place for general amusement and to encourage discussion between cyclists and motorists. The schedule for the 2014 Tour is:

  • May 28  Community Celebrations, Ivins
  • May 29  Gunlock Loop/Snow Canyon
  • May 30  Bryce to Torrey
  • May 31  Moab
  • June 19  Park City to Coalville
  • June 20 Morgan
  • June 21 Logan

Riding with Respect

When preparing for the Tour, or while on the road in general, the Utah Road Respect Program offers the following general tips and reminders for safe cycling:

  1. Always wear a helmet. Your helmet should sit level on your head and the straps should be snug.
  2. Ride predictably in a straight line. Don’t swerve in and out of parked or stopped cars or move back and forth from the roadway to the sidewalk.
  3. Wear bright clothing that increases your visibility to motorists, especially at night.
  4. Make eye contact with motorists when making a turn so you feel confident that each party is aware of one another.
  5. Don’t wear headphones or talk on cell phones while riding so your hearing is not impaired and you are not riding distracted.

Driving with Respect

For those of us who often find ourselves in a car rather than on a bicyle, the Utah Road Respect Program provides the following suggestions for creating a safer road environment:

  1. Watch for bicycles in traffic; they are smaller and harder to see.
  2. Don’t underestimate the speed of a bicyclist. Many bicyclists can easily travel at 25-30 mph. Recognize this when making turns and yielding to all road users.
  3. Be patient when driving around cyclists.
  4. Be aware of your surroundings by focusing on driving and the road.
  5. Take caution of oncoming traffic when giving cyclists room as you pass them.
  6. Slow down around cyclists.
  7. Be respectful of other road users. Courtesy is contagious.

The Program also provides references for all relevant Utah cycling and motorist laws for further information.

Christensen and Hymas advocate safe cycling. Being cyclists themselves, our attorneys emphasize the great benefit cycling can be for health, enjoyment, and the environment but also that safety precautions should always be maintained. If you or someone you know have been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, feel free to call 801.506.0800 to speak to our knowledgeable staff. Let us worry about the legal fees to ensure you are fully compensated while you focus on the healing process.

If you wish to further inform yourself on the laws in Utah for bicycle injury compensation, Christensen and Hymas also offer “The Utah Bicycle Accident Handbook” for free.

Photo courtesy of cureMSutahIdaho