McKinney reminds drivers to share the road with new bike signs

by Anne Clark of Town Square Buzz

Bikes are not solely limited to bike lanes.

MCKINNEY — Signs going up in McKinney remind motor vehicle drivers that state laws give bicyclists the right to use a full lane on roads. The aim of the new signs is to help keep the roads safe for both riders and drivers.

The signage is in accordance with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a document issued by the Texas Department of Transportation to specify the standards by which traffic signs, markings and signals are designed, installed and used.

Funding for the signs was obtained through a federal grant in 2009 and cost less than $9,000. The signs are part of the On-Street Bicycle Transportation Master Plan, created to develop a vision and framework for an on-street bicycle network that provides safe and logical routes connecting residents and visitors to key destinations throughout the city. City staff members, residents and stakeholders worked together through a series of meetings to create a vision for on-street bicycling in the city.

Educational information on laws and safety tips on the city website help bicyclists understand how to integrate into traffic safely. Cyclists must follow the same rules as motor vehicles, ride as far to the right as practicable, wear visible clothing and use hand signals to turn, stop or merge.

Drivers of a motor vehicle should provide at least three feet when passing a bicyclist, look for cyclists whenever driving and especially on roads with signage, and treat cyclists as they would any slow moving vehicle operator.