Cycle Arizona: your guide to cycling

              ROADWAY AND SAFETY TIPS
SELECTED ARIZONA BICYCLE LAWS
CYCLIST/ MOTORIST COOPERATION IS ESSENTIAL...
When cyclists remember to follow the same “ rules of the road†as motorists, both know what to expect of each other and can cooperate in sharing of the road.
Cyclinycling “ Layersayers of Saftey†( Oswaldswald, 2004)
Don’t CAUSE collision ( follow rules of road): About half of 1. bicycle crashes are the fault of the cyclist ( run red lights, no lights, wrong way).
Deter motorist mistakes: Motorists may underestimate your 2. speed or misjudge space for passing. If you take control, you can often prevent motorist mistakes.
Drive defensively to escape hazards: Anticipate problems and 3. leave room to escape.
Use safety equipment to prevent injury: A helmet may allow 4. you to walk away from a crash. Gloves protect hands.
CLOTHING...
Wear bright colored clothing to increase visibility to motorists. This will reduce your chance of being in a crash. Your body is
half the visible surface area of the rider/ bicycle unit.
Arizona’s climate is ideal for bicycling. However, certain weather conditions can be a deterrent to bicycling. Be prepared for
extreme high temperatures during the summer months in the lower desert areas. Dress appropriately.
POSITION FOR BEING SEEN...
The main idea of positioning yourself to be seen is to ride in the portion of the lane where it is most likely that you will be seen. Although the laws require a bicyclist to ride as far to the right as practicable, there will be cases where it is both legal and safer to move towards the center of the lane ( steep descents, curves with minimal or no sight distance, or “ blind†intersections).
MAINTAINING YOUR BIKE...
Make sure your bike can do what you want, when you want to! Brakes should grip the wheel firmly when activated. Wheels should be round and have no side- to- side wobble. Check spokes for tightness and have bent or missing ones replaced. Tires should be inflated to the pressure shown on the sidewall and have visible tread. Clean and lubricate the chain regularly. Make sure the handlebars, seat and other adjustable parts are tight so they will not slip.
CARRYING LOADS...
Loads can be carried safely if they are positioned and fastened properly. Use panniers ( saddlebags) if possible. Keep the load low, placing it high raises the bicycle’s center of gravity, making
it more difficult to safely handle the bicycle. Fasten panniers securely and make sure that there are no loose connections. Stop and check the load periodically to make sure it is secure.
G
ETTING OFF THE ROAD...
If you need to leave the road to check the bicycle or just to rest, be sure to get as far off the road as possible. It can be very
difficult for a motorist to spot a bicycle by the side of the road.
CATTLEGUARDS...
Cattle guards are a series of closely spaced iron rails perpendicular
to the road, covering a shallow pit. Always cross cattle guards straight on, not at an angle. Watch for gaps between the grates parallel to your direction of travel. These gaps are located where individual grates come together or where an individual grate meets the concrete or asphalt abutment and are a necessary feature of a cattle guard to allow for the expansion and contraction of metal during varied temperatures. Avoid these gaps at all times and always cross straight on a solid piece of grate. As you
approach, rise off of your saddle and be sure your elbows are bent slightly, in order to absorb any shock. Be especially careful if the cattle guard is wet.
Storm GratesGrates...
Storm grates are very similar to a cattle guard, however, much smaller and often more difficult to see. These grates are
supposed to be installed with full cross bars or with bars running perpendicular to your lane of travel. If you come across one that does not have these features, go around it. Other wise follow
all instructions for crossing a cattle guard to include avoiding
any gap where the grate meets the surrounding abutments of concrete or asphalt.
LOOKING FOR TROUBLE...
Don’t count on eye contact as a sign that a driver has seen you. All too often a motor vehicle operator looks right at a bicyclist and still fails to see him or her. A good rider is always “ looking
for troubleâ€, not to get into, but to stay out of. Experienced
riders make a practice of looking ahead. While scanning the road ahead, look at road and traffic conditions and “ escape†routes. Get a complete picture of the situation ahead and leave yourself plenty of time to adjust for problems.
DRINK WATER!!
Arizona’s dry and arid climate makes for excellent bicycling conditions. However, be prepared for high temperatures during the summer months in the lower desert areas. Carry lots of water, and drink regularly.
  Copyright 2004. Updated July 2009. All rights reserved by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Graphic design by Kimley- Horn and Associates, Inc. Reproduction in whole or any part is strictly prohibited. This map is intended for free distribution by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Printed in the U. S. A.
28- 735
When overtaking and passing a bicycle, drivers must leave a safe distance between the vehicle and the bicycle of at least 3 feet until the vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle.
28- 756
A person shall give all hand and arm signals required by this ar A.
ticle from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner, and the signals shall indicate as follows:
1. Left turn. Hand and arm extended horizontally.
2. Right turn. Hand and arm extended upward.
3. Stop or decrease speed. Hand and arm extended downward.
A person operating a bicycle may give a right turn signal by B. extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle.
28- 811
Parents are responsible for seeing that their children obey all traffic laws.
28- 812
Bicyclists have all the same rights and responsibilities of other operators except for the unique situations described below.
28- 813
Every person on a bicycle must have a regular seat to sit in.
28- 814
A person riding on a bicycle shall not attach the bicycle or that person to a vehicle on a roadway.
28- 815
Bicyclists, when traveling on a roadway at less than the normal A. speed of traffic, shall ride as close as practicable to the right- hand curb or edge of the roadway except when passing another bicycle or vehicle, when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or driveway, when necessary to avoid obstacles in the roadway such as potholes and other hazards, or when the travel lane is too
narrow for a vehicle and a bicycle to safely travel side by side.
Bicyclists should not ride more than two side- by- side except on B. paths or parts of roadway set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
28- 816
A person shall not carry a package, bundle or article while
operating a bicycle if the package, bundle or article prevents
the driver from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.
28- 817
Every bicycle used at night must have a white headlight visible A. from 500 feet away and a red reflector visible up to 300 feet away. Red tail lights may also be used in addition to the reflector.
Bicycles may not be equipped with sirens or whistles. B.
Every bicycle must have at least one brake in good working order. C.
Arizona Department of Transportation
206 S. 17th Ave., Mail Drop 310B
Phoenix, AZ 85007
email: azbikeped@ azdot. gov
website: http:// www. azbikeped. org
CYCLE
RIZONA
CYCLE
RIZONA
Bicycle
User Map
Your Guide
to Cycling
in Arizona
Published in the interest of bicycling in Arizona by the Arizona Department of Transportationof the highway system used by automobiles and trucks. The Department in no manner warrants the safety of the roads indicated on this map for use by bicyclists. Bicyclists assume the risk of their own safety when using the roads indicated on this map. There are no warranties made in connection with this map, and the Department shall not be responsible for any damages ( consequential, special or otherwise) arising from its use. Local area maps are intended to provide connections for routes into and out of the area. They are not meant to provide a comprehensive guide to bicycle routes in these communities. Future updates of this map can be found at
www. azbikeped. org. Contact the ADOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator at azbikeped@ azdot. gov with comments on route conditions.
CAUTION
At certain times of the year, severe blowing dust conditions may be encountered in the lower desert regions. Extreme caution should be taken. And
remember, the Arizona air is very dry. Drink often, and carry lots of water.
LITTERING IS UNLAWFUL
Please take your refuse home or deposit it in
receptacles provided for this purpose.
PLEASE NOTE
This map was prepared for the Arizona Department of Transportation as an aid to bicyclists. All ADOT highways not designated as bicycles prohibited are open to bicycle use. Roads shown are regular roads
Facilities conditions as shown on this map often vary from one side of the road to the other. Bicyclists should use extreme caution while riding on Arizona highways.
TRAFFIC VOLUMES
All traffic volumes on this map are Annual Average Daily Traffic ( AADT). AADT is the total number of vehicles passing a given point, in both directions, during a year, divided by 365 days, given in
vehicles per day ( vpd).
A typical hourly traffic volume in one direction is approximately equal to 6% of the AADT, so a 7,500 AADT is aproximately 450 vehicles per hour ( vph), and a 2,500 AADT is approximately 150 vph.
G
RADES
Arrows are shown in direction of grade ascent. Gradient information is provided as a general aid to cyclists in planning tours and is not intended to be all inclusive of grade conditions along the bicycle routes shown. Their purpose is merely to advise cyclists of some of the steeper climbs which may be encountered throughout the state.
Low Traffic Volume
< 2,500 vpd
Medium Traffic Volume
2,500- 7,500 vpd
High Traffic Volume
> 7,500 vpd
Legend
Stateline
County Line
Rivers & Streams
Lakes & Reservoirs
National Park
State Park
Campsite
Point of Interest
National Monument
Tourist Information
Rest Area
Population less than 1,000
Population greater than 1,000
Distance Between Points
Effective Shoulder Width = 4 ft or greater
Effective Shoulder Width < 4 ft
Rumble Strip with Effective Shoulder Width < 4 ft
Bridge with Effective Shoulder Width < 4 ft
Low Traffic Volumes
Medium Traffic Volumes
High Traffic Volumes
Bicycles Prohibited
Dirt Roads
Interstate Frontage Roads
Other Roads
Regionally Significant Routes ( Non- ADOT)
Extreme Grade
Moderate Grade
Varied Grade
Route Characteristics
The text of the selected Arizona Bicycle Laws are not included in their entirety. Please refer to Arizona Revised Statutes for complete text.
Available at http:// www. azleg. gov/
Arizona earned a Bronze Bicycle Friendly State rating from the League of American Bicyclists in April 2009