Blog
Pedal Smart, Drive Safe: Essential Road Safety Tips for Bikers and Drivers on Campus
By Ellie Howard ’25
Furman’s biking community is growing every year. Biking is an eco-friendly, fun mode of transportation that Furman students are encouraged to use whenever possible. The growing bike community on campus calls for some essential safety tips, especially when you are sharing the road with cars.
Bikers are encouraged to utilize the roads and refrain from busy sidewalks.
When sharing the road with cars, it is important to remember that you are allowed to be there. An essential precaution is to stay visible to drivers. Always assume that drivers cannot see you so that you are riding your bike defensively. Communicating with drivers can be effective as well. Utilizing hand signals and eye contact can establish a clear indication of your next move and give drivers sufficient time to react.
It is not only on the shoulders of bikers to practice road safety. All the drivers on Furman’s campus must take precautions and remain alert while sharing the road. It is crucial for drivers to give bikers space, use turn signals and check blind spots. Drivers must practice patience, understand the perspective of bikers and respect the bike lanes on roads that have them.
By following these safety tips, drivers and bikers can contribute to a safer road environment for the entire Furman family. All of us have somewhere to be, and we want to make sure that everyone gets there safely.
Feel free to reach out [email protected] for specific bike safety questions and for bike rental inquiries.