Driving Safely around People Biking

Savannah’s level topography, dense urban form, and warm weather make it a great place to get around by bike. However, Savannah also has a high rate of traffic crashes involving people on bikes.

Tips for Safe Driving Near Bicyclists

React to bicyclists as you would any other vehicle. You wouldn’t drive inches next to another car, so why would you drive so close to a person on a bike?

Don’t park in bike lanes or blocking access to multiuse paths. It may just be “for a minute”, but that minute could be the difference in someone biking safely to their destination and being put in unnecessary conflict with another driver.

If there is oncoming traffic, slow down and wait to pass until traffic clears.

  • Check for bicyclists in your blind spots
  • When driving a larger vehicle, allow extra room for mirrors, extended wheel wells, trailers, etc.
  • Large profile vehicles can create a windblast, which can knock a bicyclist off the road
  • Return to your lane when the bicyclist is in your rearview mirror
  • Do not attempt to “squeeze by”

Do not past a bicyclist before a red light or stop sign, hill, or immediately before you make a right turn.

Give at least 3 feet of space! According to the updated 3 ft to pass law, updated July 2021:

  • A driver passing a person on a bike should change lanes if road and traffic conditions allow
    • Includes allowance to pass on a double yellow when conditions are safe to do so
    • No passing into blind turns, blind hills, or oncoming traffic
  • When it is not safe to change lanes, a driver is required to slow down to 25 mph or 10 mph below the posted speed limit, whichever is greater, to execute a safe pass within the lane and shared space
  • Violations of the law carry a maximum fine of $250 as a misdemeanor offense
  • Under Georgia law, a video recording of an act is valid as a witness for enforcement of violations

Don’t drive distracted or under the influence. Again, it’s the law!

Consider driving conditions. Whether it’s raining or sunny, there’s something happening that can influence your driving. Make sure to slow down or give yourself extra room if you need it, and consider pulling over rather than powering through if conditions are dangerous.

Avoid illegal courtesies, like encouraging someone to ride through a stop sign in front of you. They may be able to see further down the street than you, or may take more time to get rolling, which can cause everyone to get frustrated.

Know where kids are biking. Children may not know the rules of the road so slow down and pay extra attention when driving in areas where children can be expected.

Interested in learning more about being a Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly Driver? Sign up for an upcoming class or view our webinar here!

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Georgia DOT Holding Public Open House for Proposed Reconstruction of SR 17 Connector at I-16 Interchange

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) will host a Public Information Open House to discuss the proposed improvements to the interchange of State Route (SR) 17 Connector/Jimmy DeLoach at Interstate 16 (I-16) in Chatham County.

The public is encouraged to come view displays and discuss the details of the proposed interchange improvement project with Georgia DOT staff. The public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Bloomingdale City Hall, located at 8 West US Highway 80, Bloomingdale, GA 31302.

The proposed operational improvements and safety enhancements would replace the existing bridge with two new structures constructing a diverging diamond interchange with interchange lighting, sidewalks and bike lanes. In addition, construction of a roundabout at John Cater Road and DOT Barn Road.

There will be no formal presentation, so interested participants may stop by at any point during the meetings. The meeting site is accessible to persons with disabilities. 

Public statements concerning this project will be accepted after the public meeting until Friday, July 26, 2024, by the following methods:

  1. Visit the GDOT project page: 

Public Outreach and Community Engagement – Georgia DOT

  1. Mail in your comments to:

                        Mr. Eric Duff, Office of Environmental Services
                        Georgia Department of Transportation
                        16th Floor, One Georgia Center
                        600 West Peachtree Street N.W.
                        Atlanta, Georgia 30308

The project displays and plans will be available for review after this open house at the website noted above. Hard copies will also be available at the Georgia DOT Savannah Area Officelocated at 630 West Boundary Street, Savannah, GA 31401.

Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We’re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation. 

Signaling & Scanning

Signaling

  • Left Turn: Fully extend your left arm out to the side.
  • Right Turn: Fully extend your right arm out to the side or bend your left arm up at a right angle with your hand flat. Both are legal signals, and depend on your level of comfort with which arm you use.
  • Slowing or Stopping: Extend your left arm at a right angle with your hand open and pointing down towards the ground.

Scanning

Scanning is the act of looking over your shoulder, and is a key part of riding anywhere. It helps communicate your intentions to others and also shows you what is happening behind or around you.

Pro Tip: It may be difficult to scan and maintain a straight line while riding. Start by practicing scanning on a stationary bike to see your range of motion. You may want to purchase a mirror to help if you have limited range. Once you start practicing on a moving bike, if you have trouble maintaining a straight line you may want to try removing your hand (from the direction you are scanning) from the handlebars and place it on your lower back. This helps prevent your body from fully turning and pulling the handlebars. And make sure to keep peddling while scanning!

Scanning should be used in conjunction with signaling — you should scan before any turn and before making any signal.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Plan Your Route

Whether you’re commuting to work or school, getting some exercise, or riding to get your groceries, planning your route can be a difficult — but necessary — step. You don’t want to get to your destination and realize you have to cross a six-lane highway in order to get there, but you also don’t want to ride down a cul-de-sac and not be able to get out. Below are our tips on how to plan your perfect route.

Try planning out your own bike route this May!

Mapping Out a Safe Route

Use Google Maps

Google Maps has come a long way in helping plan bike routes! Visit Google Maps, click Layers at the bottom of your screen, and then click Biking to show trails, dedicated lanes, bicycle-friendly roads and dirt or unpaved trails.

You can input your starting point and destination and select biking, which will suggest routes that follow bike infrastructure or bike-friendly streets, if available. You can even select street view in order to see a photo of the street, which can help you in quickly identifying if that’s a route you’d like to take. Pro Tip: Under Layers click Traffic, which can help you identify if streets are closed or if traffic is moving slowly in certain areas. Also, the wider the street the more cars are likely to be on it — and moving quickly!

Use Strava, Map My Ride or Ride with GPS

The great thing about biking in Savannah is that we have a lot of people out biking with you! There’s a pretty good chance that someone has a route similar to the one you’re looking to create, which means that websites like Strava, Map My Ride or Ride with GPS can help you find a route that someone has already ridden. They can also have heat maps, which can show you where people are riding.

Image © Bikabout

Tips for Planning Your Route

Maybe you can find a route digitally, but you’re concerned about riding it in person. You don’t have to dive all in right away!

  • Talk with other bike riders: Check out local biking groups on social media or in person and ask for some tips! Check out Bike Walk Savannah’s events for some more details on our rides.
  • Scout the route: If your route is on streets and not on bike paths, try it out in your car first. While you won’t be able to get exactly the same feel for the road, you can easily see if there are areas that are blocked off, high volumes of other cars, or might not have a safe crossing for you to use.
  • Experiment with your route: If you know the area well enough, take some time to experiment with different possible routes. Make sure to leave around the same time you would be biking to or from your destination, but give yourself some extra time (like on your day off). This can help you find additional streets that might be a little more comfortable for you.
  • Be familiar with your map: What happens if the street you usually take is closed due to construction or a crash? Do you know what other streets you can take? We recommend knowing a few different alternate routes, as well as knowing what sections you can’t swap out. This can also be helpful for different times of day — maybe you go to work taking one route, but return home on another.
  • Don’t be afraid to go multi-modal: Maybe you can’t ride directly from your house, but you can pick up some safe
  • streets a mile or two away. Check out Chatham Area Transit and see if there’s a bus you can take for part of your trip!

Need some more help? Request some bike route assistance from the BWS team or check out our routes page.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Driving Safely around People Walking

It’s important to remember that we’re all people — and at some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian.

Unfortunately pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high, especially in Savannah. When you maintain safe speeds and practice other safe driving behaviors, our streets are safer for everyone!

Most at Risk

  • Seniors 65+
  • Kids ages 5-9
  • People under the influence

You never know who may cross your path unexpectedly, so by taking steps to be prepared and constantly paying attention, you can make sure everyone gets from where they are to where they need to be safely — including you!

Tips for how to avoid crashes involving pedestrians:

Know where people are. Does the street you’re on have sidewalks and activated crosswalks, or are people going to be forced to walk in the street or cross unexpectedly? Are there bus stops?

Do not pass stopped school buses. It’s not only the law, but stopped school buses create opportunities where kids or adults may be unexpectedly entering the roadway.

Slow down for crosswalks, regardless of if there are pedestrians. When you approach, give right-of-way to pedestrians who are waiting or in the crosswalk. Stop far enough away to indicate your intent. Scan the street before turning, as there may be someone waiting to cross on the street you’re turning onto. And remember, any intersection — whether marked or unmarked — is a space where pedestrians are legally allowed to cross.

Practice driveway safety. When we’re leaving our home or coming home is a very dangerous time for drivers. You may be distracted by opening your garage door, putting on your seatbelt, remembering your coffee, and might not be looking for kids or people walking behind your vehicle. Make sure to pay attention! Similarly, be aware when you’re in parking lots and pulling in or out of spaces.

Don’t drive distracted or under the influence. Again, it’s the law!

Consider driving conditions. Whether it’s raining or sunny, there’s something happening that can influence your driving. Make sure to slow down or give yourself extra room if you need it, and consider pulling over rather than powering through if conditions are dangerous.

Stay alert for pedestrians who may need more space. Did you notice that the street may not have sidewalks or ramps to get on those sidewalks? Do you see a pedestrian using a mobility device like a motorized wheelchair or cane, or maybe a family with small children? Make sure to give them some extra room!

Ultimately, SLOW DOWN.

Interested in learning more about being a Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly Driver? Sign up for an upcoming class or view our webinar here!

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Sharing the trail

  • Be courteous & know the rules of the trail you are using.
  • Give a clear, audible signal when passing — bells or your voice are great!
  • Be cautious and yield to crossing traffic.
  • Stay to the right.
  • If you’re moving faster than the people in front of you, slow and wait for an opportunity to pass — don’t thread the needle.
  • Always be predictable — ride in a straight line, don’t weave across the trail.
  • Stay on the designated path.
  • Travel at a speed that allows you to watch for hazards as well as your surroundings.
  • Don’t blast your music. If you’re listening on headphones, make sure you can hear your surroundings or use one earbud.
  • Yield to more vulnerable path users. Bicyclists and skaters yield to pedestrians, pedestrians yield to those with young children or assistive devices.
  • If you’re riding in a group, move to a single file to allow oncoming traffic to pass.
  • If you are riding or walking while it is dark, be sure to use lights.
  • If you’re on the trail with your dog, make sure to keep it on a short leash. Retractable leashes are not recommended, as they can cause cuts and burns to both pets and people.
  • Keep it clean — whatever you bring in, bring out! If you notice a lot of trash or debris, call 311 or come out for a trail cleanup!

Our friends at The League of American Bicyclists have put together a great video overview below.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

ADVOCACY ALERT: Submit comments on Tybee Island Project

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is seeking feedback about a proposed solution to reduce crash frequency and severity on US 80/SR 26 from Lazaretto Creek to Tybrisa Street on Tybee Island, Chatham County.

The proposed improvements, which can be seen on the GDOT website, would improve safety and accessibility and reduce the frequency and severity of vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle crashes along the corridor. They would also allow for improved emergency response times and provide better connections to the Bull River and Lazaretto Creek bridge replacements.

Bike Walk Savannah is in support of the project, with the following modifications to increase the safety of people walking and biking:

  • Instead of parking stops and flexible bollards, protect the cycletrack with a continuous curb and armadillo bumps at intersections.
  • 2nd Ave. is part of Tybee Island’s official bike route, but lacks a safe crossing at the intersection. Jones Ave. has a signal, but bicyclists have to go through a parking lot to get to it. This area needs better planning for safe travel.
  • People driving should not cross a cycletrack to back in to parking spaces. Additionally, the proposed design requires a two-phase crossing at N Campbell Ave., which is the main way to get to North Beach, and also has businesses on 3 corners that frequently see vehicles entering and exiting parking lots. During peak times this intersection sees many turning cars, which would reduce the opportunity for safe crossings for people walking and biking. Instead, the crossing should be moved closer to McKenzie Ave. or Byers St., which see a much lower number of turning vehicles.
  • If the crossing remains at Campbell Ave., parking should be parallel and be placed between the motor vehicle lane and the cycletrack as protection.
  • Recommend adding a crosswalk at 6th Ave. to facilitate safer pedestrian crossing opportunities.

GDOT is accepting public comments through April 8, 2024. View the project presentation and find out more information at us-80-tybee-safety-improvements-0019699-gdot.hub.arcgis.com, and click here to take the survey.

ADVOCACY ALERT: US80/SR26 Public Information Open House

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is seeking feedback about a proposed solution to reduce crash frequency and severity on US 80/SR 26 from Lazaretto Creek to Tybrisa Street on Tybee Island, Chatham County.

The Georgia Department of Transportation will host an in-person PIOH where the community will have the opportunity to view presentation materials regarding the US80/SR26 Project, engage with project team members, and submit comments. This project is proposed to improve safety and accessibility and to reduce the frequency and severity of vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle crashes along the corridor.

The Public Information Open House will take place on Thursday, March 28 from 4-8 p.m.

All materials are also available for view on GDOT’s website, including the detailed project presentation. A survey can be found at this link, as well as at the bottom of the page. Feedback must be provided by April 8.

All about helmets!

Fitting a Helmet

A bike helmet that fits you properly will feel better — and do its job in case of a crash. But how do you select the right size bike helmet?

To find your bike helmet size, measure the circumference of your head using a cloth tape measure or a piece of string and a ruler. Be sure to measure horizontally across your brow and over your ears. Most helmets come with a size guide (or you can find one online), so make sure to measure your head before you go to save some time!

You also want to look for a helmet that matches your style of riding. Road bike helmets are designed to be lightweight, well ventilated and aerodynamic. Mountain bike helmets often offer extended rear head coverage to account for collisions with objects on off-road trails. If you’re an everyday commuter or recreational rider, look for helmets that are well-ventilated with an adjustable tightening wheel and visor to help shield some sun.

Get the right fit

Put your helmet level on your head (not tilted back) with the front edge two fingers above your eyebrows. This helps protect your forehead.

If your helmet has one, tighten the rear adjustment dial until the helmet no longer wobbles or slips. It’s important to have your helmet properly positioned before tightening it.

Next buckle the chin strap. The straps should join right under your ear to form a “V”. Adjust the straps around both ears so they are not twisted and it’s comfortable. You can use your pointer and middle fingers to form a “V” around your ears to figure out the best position — snug but not too tight. Put those same two fingers together and put them between the strap and your chin. There should be enough room for two fingers. Any tighter and you may have trouble breathing, talking or drinking water while riding, any looser and your helmet can easily be knocked to the side.

A helmet that fits correctly should be comfortable and will not move forward (obscuring your vision) or backward (exposing your forehead.) A comfortable helmet is a helmet that you’ll actually wear!

Check out this video from our friends at Georgia Bikes.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Walking Safely in Savannah

The greater downtown area is known for its walkability – but do you know the rules of the road?

Below are our tips for walking safely in Savannah, as well as applicable laws.

Safety Tips

  • Be predictable, and follow the rules of the road.
  • Walk on sidewalks when available and passable.
  • If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
  • Be alert! Never assume a driver sees you.
  • Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions.
  • If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; if you are crossing a multi-lane road, use extra caution when crossing each lane.
  • Watch for drivers entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.

The Laws

Pedestrians crossing at any point other than a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles on the roadway.

When a pedestrian signal says WALK, you may proceed across the roadway. When it is flashing DON’T WALK, finish your crossing and do not start crossing if you have not entered the roadway. When it is steady DON’T WALK, do not start crossing.

“Crosswalk” means (A) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; or (B) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

Crosswalks exists at most intersections whether or not they are marked by painted lines.

“Jaywalking” is not a legal term and does not appear in the Georgia Code. Even so, people often use “jaywalking” to describe a pedestrian crossing outside of a crosswalk. In fact, crossing the street outside of a crosswalk is perfectly LEGAL in most places, as long as the pedestrians yield to traffic.

Do not suddenly leave a curb or sidewalk and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close it is impractical for the driver to yield.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.