Bicycle Safety

Follow these tips from the Texas Department of Transportation to stay safe while biking.

Prepare for Your Ride

• Wear a properly fitted helmet
• Check brakes and tires
• Wear light colors to make it easier for drivers to see you

Stay Safe While Riding

• Stay alert
• Put away electronic devices
• Pay attention to lane markers
• Don't ride between vehicles
• Cross at intersections
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
• Never attempt to cross a multi-lane highway
• Read more safety tips in the Texas Guide to Safe Bicycling
• Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to learn more about bicycle safety

Follow Traffic Laws

• You have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers
• Stop at red lights and stop signs
• Ride in a bicycle lane if present, traveling in the same direction as traffic
• If a bicycle lane is not present, ride as close to the right side of the road as possible
• Use a light on the front and a red reflector or light on the back of your bike at night
• Learn more about Texas bicycle laws

Use Proper Hand Signals

• For a left turn, stretch your left arm to the left
• For a right turn, stretch your right arm to the right
• For a stop, hold your left elbow out, arm downward, with palm facing behind you

Tips for Drivers

• Stay alert
• Be on the lookout for cyclists on the highway, especially at intersections
• If you're passing a cyclist, move to another lane if possible and give them plenty of room
• Watch for cyclists who may need to maneuver around potholes and debris

To give your feedback on cycling in the Dallas area, contact your bicycle district coordinator, Tim Wright, at Tim.P.Wright@txdot.gov.