Car accessories are an increasingly broad group of products used by drivers who are aware of the need to care for…
Switching from four to two wheels! Bicycle magic!
(photo Moje Auto)
This year, the calendar arrangement is favorable to us and, with a bit of luck, we have a chance to have a really long weekend. The weather is nice, so it's worth thinking about outdoor trips at this time. I choose the option of active rest by bike, although I can reach some places by car. First, a few words about preparations and a review of road traffic regulations.
Preparing the bike
The stores are full of different models of bicycles, and the choice, just like with a car, is an individual matter for each of us. However, for me it is a complete misunderstanding that there is no obligation to equip the bike with the elements required by Polish regulations! Therefore, if the manufacturer did not do it, we have to take care of it ourselves. Currently, these are: at least one white or selective yellow light at the front (even though we can, let's not dismantle it during the day), at least one red light at the rear, at least one working brake (of course, it's better to have two) and a bell or other signal (just like a horn, we use them in exceptional situations).
(photo: My Car)
For my part, I will also add a red position light at the rear, reflectors on the spokes, a mirror, a pannier mounted on the rear rack (choose a model with reflective elements), a water bottle with appropriate mounting and an anti-theft lock. And now the most important thing - a helmet, gloves, safety glasses (the best ones are with yellow lenses) and clothing (the brighter it is, the more visible we will be).
What should you remember about bicycles?
When going on a bike trip, I don't forget to take spare tubes, a basic set of tools, a pump, a charger (I have a recently popular power bank), a phone holder (don't listen to music while riding), a handy flashlight, a raincoat and a first aid kit.
Oh myself bike I take care of it the same way I take care of a car. This means that I regularly wash, lubricate, polish, etc. I use the same cosmetics and preparations as cockpit preparations, tire preparations (but not the tread) or bodywork.
(photo: My Car)
In fact, when I go to the May weekend by car, I have such a set in the trunk. What about transporting bicycles? The ideal solution for this are holders for traditional crossbars mounted on rails or feet. Depending on the width of the car, we can place two, three or even four bicycles on the roof. A folding stool or ladder is useful for these activities.
Other popular solutions include a rack mounted on the car's towbar (Polish regulations already allow for a third license plate). Some of us transport two-wheelers directly in the trunk. Opel offers a cool solution - the built-in bicycle rack slides out from the rear bumper.
Before loading your bikes on the roof, check the maximum load allowed by the manufacturer of the car and the rack. Moreover, we have to drive much slower than usual and avoid... entrances to garages. Idleness can cost us dearly!
Bicycle recipes
Currently, every person over the age of eighteen has the right to ride a bicycle without any license. However, this does not relieve you from the obligation to know and follow road regulations. Unfortunately, we see this in practice every day. From my own experience, I know that even drivers with many years of experience behind the wheel make mistakes.
Driving on the sidewalk and in the street arouses the most confusion and controversy. The regulations clearly regulate each of these situations. Let's start with the bicycle path (ddr), commonly known as the bicycle path. If it exists, and more and more of them are being created, we absolutely must use it. And here's a note: the direction of traffic may be marked on it, so moving in the opposite direction will be treated as driving against the flow. But on some one-way streets, the street manager may also designate a bicycle path in the other direction. Moreover, for several years now it has also been possible to ride a two-wheeler against traffic, provided that the speed limit on this road is 30 km/h. Therefore, caution, greater concentration and, above all, mutual respect will be useful.
(photo: My Car)
Bicycle path, sidewalk and street
A bicycle path may also be marked on the sidewalk. We then have pedestrian and bicycle routes on which traffic rules are regulated by compilations of mandatory signs C-13 and C16. These are blue shields with silhouettes of an adult with a child and a bicycle. Crossing them with a vertical line indicates the sides of movement for each of these groups. If the line is horizontal, we have mixed traffic, but pedestrians always have priority!
If there is no designated bicycle path or signs allowing riding on the sidewalk, we ride on the street. But only on those with a speed limit of 50 km/h. If it is higher, we can enter the sidewalk provided it is at least two meters wide. Outside the city (attention, it is forbidden to ride a bicycle on expressways and highways, as well as on those with prohibition signs), we keep to the right side of the road, and when riding in a group, we stand single file.
What do the regulations say about riding bicycles?
The regulations also allow driving on the sidewalk during bad weather conditions, such as fog or rain (or snow, but we don't think about it in May). In addition, also when we take care of a cyclist under 10 years of age. This is the age at which every child should pass the bicycle license exam at school. This document entitles you to drive this bike on the street until you are 18 years old.
There is another important provision relating to children. Up to the age of seven, he can ride a bike with us in an appropriate seat or trailer. The regulations already mentioned apply here - when driving with a child, we are its guardian and can move on the sidewalk, but when driving with a car seat but without a child, we are obliged to drive on the street.
The second controversy that we, as drivers, encounter most often is cyclists crossing pedestrian crossings. Information signs D-6, D6-a and D6-b inform us about the designated routes. In turn, for the drivers of two-wheelers, the determinant is the running of a bicycle path along the lanes, and additionally there may be a traffic light. If these elements are not there, we have to get down and move the bike to the other side. Although this does not directly apply to children under 10 years old, it is better to teach them "adult" behavior right away.
(photo: My Car)
Summary
Today's entry is longer than usual, and we still haven't covered all bicycle-related topics. Fortunately, the season is just starting, let's take advantage of the longer weekend and the weather, and threads about two-wheelers will appear in subsequent materials.
