Pedestrian Bicycle Safety

May is Bicycle Safety Awareness Month

Lives lost in traffic crashes in 2019:

7051

That's how many Pedestrians and Cyclists died in traffic crashes in 2019. If you drive, walk, or bike to your destinations, you entitled to this life-saving information: Go with Care, and GET THERE!

  • As a cyclist, be visible and ride alert. Ride with the flow of traffic and obey all traffic laws. BIKE with Care--Get There!
  • As a motorist, commit to being alert and sharing the road with both pedestrians and bicycles. Watch for others and slow down. DRIVE with Care--Get There!
  • As a pedestrian, give extra attention to your surroundings on busy roadways and intersections. Keep your head up, eyes open, and use the crosswalk. WALk with Care - Get There!

Message brought to you by the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office and Arkansas Department of Transportation


What is Share The Road?

The goal of the Share the Road campaign is to provide travelers with information on laws, policies, maps, and resources to commute safely on Arkansas’ roadways, whether by walking, driving, or biking. Trending data shows an increase in pedestrian fatalities, and one is one too many. Help us create a safer environment by doing your part! GO with Care—Get There!

Learn more about our Share The Road campaign in our blog posted on the Arkansas Times.


What is a pedestrian?

Everyone is a pedestrian. People walking, jogging, using a wheelchair, or taking their pet for a stroll all count as pedestrians, even if they’re on the sidewalk. Of course, people crossing the street at an intersection or using a crosswalk are also pedestrians. A crosswalk exists at any public road intersection, whether marked or unmarked. WALK with Care—Get There!


Why can’t bicycles use the sidewalk?

Sidewalks are for walkers, not bicyclists. Bicycles share many of the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle users. Arkansas law states that bicycles must travel on the right with traffic, and on a safe area of the road. BIKE with Care—Get There!



What can I do?

As A Motorist

commit to being alert and sharing the road with both pedestrians and bicycles. Be patient at intersections or if a bicycle is using your lane. DRIVE with Care—Get There!

  • DRIVE ALERT. Avoid distractions and using devices.
  • WATCH OTHERS. Other travelers have the right to use the roadway.
  • SLOW DOWN. Give yourself time to react in case of an incident.

Did you know there is a Friendly Driver Certification Program in Little Rock?
Check it out here.

As A Cyclist

be visible and ride alert. Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and always maintain control of your bicycle.

  • OBEY TRAFFIC LAWS. A lack of a motor doesn’t exempt you from getting a ticket.
  • RIDE WITH TRAFFIC. It’s the law, plain and simple. Ride on the right for everyone’s safety.
  • STAY IN CONTROL. Never ride under the influence, unless you want a DUI.

As a Pedestrian

give extra attention to your surroundings on busy roadways and intersections. Just because you have the right of way does not protect you from danger.

  • USE THE CROSSWALK. It’s your safest option.
  • HEAD UP, EYES OPEN. Have visual confirmation from others that they see you.
  • BE VISIBLE. Avoid wearing black and wear reflective clothing when possible.
Don’t add to the statistics—Safely Share the Road.

Resources


Ready to roll? Click below to plan your ride!

Arkansas Bicycle Guide
Arkansas Bicycle Map (Front) / (Back)
Arkansas Traffic Laws for Cyclists
Arkansas E-Bike Laws
Arkansas “Stop-as-Yield” and “Red Light-as-Stop” Laws

More Helpful Info:

Campaign funded by the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office
and created by ARDOT.