<I>File photo</I><BR>Grant County's relatively low traffic volume and beautiful country roads are attracting more pedalers, and "due care" must certainly be exercised.

GRANT COUNTY – Watch out. With nicer weather, more and more two-wheeled vehicles will share the roadways with those having four or more.

A recent close call between a John Day bicyclist and a motor vehicle prompted a check with law enforcement on how bicyclists and motor vehicle drivers can more safely co-exist.

Fortunately, there aren’t many of these conflicts, said Senior Trooper Larry Johnson of Oregon State Police (OSP). But, Grant County’s relatively low traffic volume and beautiful country roads are attracting more pedalers, and “due care” must certainly be exercised.

With just a few exceptions, Oregon Vehicle Code considers bicyclists and motor vehicle drivers to all be vehicle drivers, following the same rules.

In a nutshell, bicyclists must maintain control of their “vehicle,” not under the influence of intoxicants. Bicyclists must travel on the right, with traffic, in a predictable manner. They must be visible, driven in an alert manner.

The biggest failure on the part of bicyclists, said Johnson, is not staying to the right of roadways, not “out too far,” and not traveling two abreast. “If you want to converse, use an in-helmet radio set-up like motorcyclists do,” he suggested.

State code states they must be ridden in a single lane and in a manner that does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

“Keep to the right, pass with due care, and unless encountering a significant hazard or obstacle, you need to stay to the right. Just because there’s gravel there doesn’t mean you can ride out in the highway, just because you don’t want to be there,” Johnson, who has been in law enforcement for 20 years, said.

Another common problem area is when bicyclists don’t travel in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic, as they should.

In the case of bicycles, headlights must be used after dark, which at a minimum, must be visible at least 500 feet to the front, and have a red light or reflector visible at least 600 feet to the rear. Cyclists must wear a helmet.

To share the road, all must have mutual respect and awareness, Johnson explained. All drivers must be able to respond to hazards, threats and other vehicles.

When Cycle Oregon comes through, noted Johnson, they contract with OSP for a motorcycle unit to avoid vehicle-bicycle conflicts.

The senior trooper summed up: “Be aware of your surroundings. Watch out for more than just deer and cows. Motor vehicle drivers, you may see hikers and bikers.”

For more information on bicycling rules, the Oregon Bicyclist Manual can be found at Department of Motor Vehicles offices.