Now that you know the problems
you can find the answers.

Improving your community's score…

1. Did you have a place to bicycle safely?

a) On the road?

• No space for bicyclists to ride (e.g. no bike lane or shoulder; narrow lanes) 
• Bicycle lane or paved shoulder disappeared 
• Heavy and/or fast-moving traffic 
• Too many trucks or buses 
• No space for bicyclists on bridges or in tunnels 
• Poorly lighted roadways

What you can do immediately

• pick another route for now 
• tell local transportation engineers or public works department about specific problems; provide a copy of your checklist 
• find a class to boost your confidence about riding in traffic

What you and your community can do with more time

• participate in local planning meetings 
• encourage your community to adopt a plan to improve conditions, including a network of bike lanes on major roads 
• ask your public works department to consider “Share the Road” signs at specific locations 
• ask your state department of transportation to include paved shoulders on all their rural highways 
• establish or join a local bicycle advocacy group

b) On an off-road path or trail?

• Path ended abruptly 
• Path didn't go where I wanted to go 
• Path intersected with roads that were difficult to cross 
• Path was crowded 
• Path was unsafe because of sharp turns or dangerous downhills 
• Path was uncomfortable because of too many hills 
• Path was poorly lighted

What you can do immediately

• slow down and take care when using the path 
• find an on-street route 
• use the path at less crowded times 
• tell the trail manager or agency about specific problems

What you and your community can do with more time

• ask the trail manager or agency to improve directional and warning signs 
• petition your local transportation agency to improve path/roadway crossings 
• ask for more trails in your community 
• establish or join a “Friends of the Trail” advocacy group
  

2. How was the surface that you rode on?

• Potholes 
• Cracked or broken pavement 
• Debris (e.g. broken glass, sand, gravel, etc.) 
• Dangerous drain grates, utility covers, or metal plates 
• Uneven surface or gaps 
• Slippery surfaces when wet (e.g. bridge decks, construction plates, road markings) 
• Bumpy or angled railroad tracks 
• Rumble strips

What you can do immediately

• report problems immediately to public works department or appropriate agency 
• keep your eye on the road/path 
• pick another route until the problem is fixed (and check to see that the problems are fixed) 
• organize a community effort to clean up the path

What you and your community can do with more time

• work with your public works and parks department to develop a pothole or hazard report card or online link to warn the agency of potential hazards 
• ask your public works department to gradually replace all dangerous drainage grates with more bicycle-friendly designs, and improve railroad crossings so cyclists can cross them at 90 degrees 
• petition your state DOT to adopt a bicycle-friendly rumble-strip policy
  

3. How were the intersections you rode through?

• Had to wait too long to cross intersection 
• Couldn't see crossing traffic 
• Signal didn't give me enough time to cross the road 
• The signal didn't change for a bicycle 
• Unsure where or how to ride through intersection

What you can do immediately

• pick another route for now 
• tell local transportation engineers or public works department about specific problems 
• take a class to improve your ridingconfidence and skills

What you and your community can do with more time

• ask the public works department to look at the timing of the specific traffic signals 
• ask the public works department to install loop-detectors that detect bicyclists 
• suggest improvements to sightlines that include cutting back vegetation; building out the path crossing; and moving parked cars that obstruct your view 
• organize community-wide, on-bike training on how to safely ride through intersections
  

4. Did drivers behave well?

Drivers:

• Drove too fast 
• Passed me too close 
• Did not signal 
• Harassed me 
• Cut me off 
• Ran red lights or stop signs

What you can do immediately

• report unsafe drivers to the police 
• set an example by riding responsibly; obey traffic laws; don't antagonize drivers 
• always expect the unexpected 
• work with your community to raise awareness to share the road

What you and your community can do with more time

• ask the police department to enforce speed limits and safe driving 
• encourage your department of motor vehicles to include “Share the Road” messages in driver tests and correspondence with drivers 
• ask city planners and traffic engineers for traffic calming ideas 
• encourage your community to use cameras to catch speeders and red light runners
  

5. Was is easy for you to use your bike?

• No maps, signs, or road markings to help me find my way 
• No safe or secure place to leave my bicycle at my destination 
• No way to take my bicycle with me on the bus or train 
• Scary dogs 
• Hard to find a direct route I liked 
• Route was too hilly

What you can do immediately

• plan your route ahead of time 
• find somewhere close by to lock your bike; never leave it unlocked 
• report scary dogs to the animal control department 
• learn to use all of your gears!

What you and your community can do with more time

• ask your community to publish a local bike map 
• ask your public works department to install bike parking racks at key destinations; work with them to identify locations 
• petition your transit agency to install bike racks on all their buses 
• plan your local route network to minimize the impact of steep hills 
• establish or join a bicycle user group (BUG) at your workplace
  

6. What did you do to make your ride safer?

• Wore a bicycle helmet 
• Obeyed traffic signals and signs 
• Rode in a straight line (didn't weave) 
• Signaled my turns 
• Rode with (not against) traffic 
• Used lights, if riding at night 
• Wore reflective materials and bright clothing 
• Was courteous to other travelers (motorists, skaters, pedestrians, etc.)

What you can do immediately

• go to your local bike shop and buy a helmet; get lights and reflectors if you are expecting to ride at night 
• always follow the rules of the road and set a good example 
• take a class to improve your riding skills and knowledge

What you and your community can do with more time

• ask the police to enforce bicycle laws 
• encourage your school or youth agencies to teach bicycle safety (on-bike) 
• start or join a local bicycle club 
• become a bicycle safety instructor
  

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