Bike safety: Talk, listen and take care of others as you ride

by Gene Powell, Staff Writer

Photo by Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson on Unsplash

With spring in full swing, cyclists in the greater Reston area have no shortage of scenic routes—from the ever-popular, nationally recognized Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail to the intersecting Fairfax County Parkway Trail, and the many paths that weave through Reston and its neighboring communities. Whether you're riding on a trail, a neighborhood path, or a road with or without marked bike lanes, safety should be your top priority.

A survey of local safety organizations and biking groups revealed these recommendations for staying safe on two wheels:

Wear a helmet, and avoid ear coverings or headphones that could prevent you from hearing what’s around you, especially approaching riders or vehicles.

Always call out when passing, and sometimes even when approaching others. A simple “Passing on your left!” from behind a jogger or “Bike up!” when approaching a group can go a long way. Just make sure to give others enough time to react.

Slow down on multi-use trails. These paths are shared by slower cyclists, runners, dog walkers, and families with strollers. Be extra cautious where horseback riders are present.

Check your bike before riding. Make sure your tires are properly inflated—nothing spoils a ride like a flat miles from home—and test your brakes. Stopping is just as important as pedaling.

If your bike has been idle during the colder months, or you’re planning a longer ride, check for loose fittings and connections.

The W&OD Trail Patrol emphasizes that riders should move off the trail when stopped and remember the right-of-way rules: pedestrians have priority over bikes, and equestrians have priority over everyone.

NOVA Parks’ “In the Know, On the Go” campaign offers some easy-to-remember rhyming safety tips:

• “It’s not a race. We’re sharing space.”

• “Passing on left is always best.”

• “Need to stop? Leave the blacktop.”

• “Be polite. Slow on right.”

• “Be alert. Don’t get hurt.”

Reston Bike Club board member and experienced rider Gideon Schmidt says bike safety ultimately “comes down to communication.” Respecting all types of trail users, he says, is key to avoiding accidents. “Even on the open road, talking to others is the best approach,” says Schmidt, a self-described “fast rider.” With so many people sharing the paths, his advice is simple: don’t pass when there’s oncoming traffic, don’t pass side-by-side, and if you ride with earbuds, use only one so you can hear others.

For parents of young cyclists, Schmidt offers this tip: Teach kids to recognize the phrase “Passing on your left” and understand that it means stay to the right, keep riding straight, and don’t stop or swerve.

Reston Association officials point to their governing documents, which allow certain types of e-bikes on RA’s 55 miles of paved and natural surface trails, provided the maximum speed does not exceed 20 mph.

Fairfax County’s rules require helmet use for all riders under age 15, and Virginia law mandates that bicycles ridden between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with a white front light visible for at least 500 feet, as well as a red rear reflector visible from at least 600 feet. On roads with speed limits of 35 mph or higher, bikes must also have a red tail light—steady or flashing—visible for at least 500 feet.

Kelley Westenhoff, president of the nonprofit Friends of the W&OD, advises that group rides should be limited to no more than five riders. She also stresses the importance of calling out hazards and other users, a duty that starts with the lead cyclist and should be passed down the line. “Bike up!” or “Jogger ahead!” should echo through the group, especially when visibility is limited.

Westenhoff’s best advice? “Just practice what you learned in kindergarten: Take turns, don’t hurt anyone, and be nice.”