As cities and towns across Texas increase their bicycle facilities by not only adding bike lanes but adding bike share programs in downtown areas, it has become more important than ever for Texans to be aware of cyclists on the road. In certain areas of Texas, bicycles are one of the chosen modes of transportation, and drivers have learned to navigate the roads with them; not so in other areas of our state. Share the Road, Texas is a statewide outreach campaign sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to inform and encourage cyclists and drivers about how to co-exist safely on Texas roadways.
Kickoff Event Details
Who: Share the Road, Texas
What: Bicycle Safety and Awareness Campaign Kick-Off
Where: Texas A&M University Campus, Memorial Student Center, Rudder Plaza
When: Date: July 30, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The outreach campaign focuses on increasing awareness of bicycle-related traffic laws among both cyclists and motorists, as well as promoting safe behaviors to reduce the risks of crashes.
Some key campaign safety messages for drivers include:
- looking for bicycles before turning at an intersection or driveway,
- looking for bicycles before opening the door of a car parked on the street and
- allowing plenty of room when passing a bicycle.
Cyclists are reminded to:
- observe all traffic signs and signals,
- follow right-of-way rules at intersections and
- use lights and bright colors to make themselves as visible as possible.
The campaign is online at sharetheroadtexas.org, Facebook, and Twitter.