Bicycle, Motorcycle, and Scooter Safety
With the price of gasoline rising and the growth in interest in the impact of large vehicle emissions on the environment, many people in the University of Georgia community are switching to alternate modes of transportation. Examples of these are bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles. As with anything, there are issues related to all of these options that a person needs to be aware of.
Bicycles
General Safety
1. The seat should be at a comfortable height.
2. Check the brakes to ensure that they open and close together and operate smoothly. Good brakes can save your life!
3. Your bicycle should have reflectors aimed straight to the front and back.
4. Never ride a bicycle at night without a light.
5. Adjust your handle bars for comfort and maneuverability.
6. Check tire pressure and inflate to recommended maximum pressure before every ride.
Hand signals
1. STOP: To signal to other motorist your intention to stop, extend your left hand downward and your palm facing backward.
2. Left Turn: To signal to other motorist your intention to turn left extend your left arm & hand straight out.
3. Turn Right: To signal to other motorist your intention to turn right, extend your left arm & position the hand upright.
Know the law
Ga. Code 40-6-291. All laws that apply to motorist on the roadway, except D.U.I, apply to all bicyclists.
Ga. Code 40-6-293. No person riding upon a bicycle shall attach himself to any vehicle upon the road way.
Ga. Code 40-6-294. Every person riding a bicycle upon the roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practical, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
Securing your bicycle
Locks are an effective tool for securing your bicycle.
When used properly locks are more than 99% effective.
Motorcycle / Moped Safety
Safe Vehicle
Check out your vehicle every time before riding
Perform TCLOCK Inspection
Tires
Controls
Lights
Oils and Fluids
Chassis and Chains
Kickstand
General Safety Tips
Fill your fuel tank slowly and do not overfill.
Allow your engine to run slowly for several minutes so the oil reaches all the surfaces it needs to lubricate.
Shift your transmission to neutral before starting your motorcycle or moped.
Read the owner's manual before operating your motorcycle or moped.
Safety Equipment
Required by law
Helmets that are properly worn (bicycle helmets are not good enough)
Eye protection or Windshield (motorcycle only)
Georgia laws related to motorcycles and mopeds
40-1-1 (28) Definition of a Moped
3.05 cubic inches (50 cubic centimeters) or less
Exceeds 30 mph on level road surface
Does not require clutching or shifting
If your vehicle exceeds any of these then it is a motorcycle.
40-2-20 Registration Requirements
Only motorcycles need to be registered and have tags
40-6-10 Insurance Requirements
40-6-11 Only motorcycles need insurance
40-6-351 License (permit) required to operate moped
In Georgia, you must have a valid motorcycle license to operate a motorcycle, and you must have some type of valid license to operate a moped
40-6-350 Motorcycle laws apply to mopeds
40-6-312 Operations motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic
(B) Do not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken
(C) Do not operate between lanes of traffic
40-6-144 Driving on Sidewalk
Do not drive on the sidewalk