Sharing the Road: Safety Tips for West Salem Drivers and Cyclists

Warmer, drier weather invites more bicyclists to pedal throughout West Salem for transportation and recreation. It also increases the chance of mishaps between bikes and cars.

Local police say that both riders and drivers can safely share the road by looking out for each other.

“Often problems are created by a lack of courtesy,” says Salem Police Sgt. Jonathan Hardy. “People often drive or ride with a sense of entitlement, and this type of behavior leads to conflict with other people on the roadway. If we move with a sense of courtesy and respect for each other, it often resolves many of the problems.”

Both riders and drivers can also avoid problems by keeping their eyes and thoughts on the road. Distracted driving and riding are “significant issues,” Sgt. Hardy says. “Distractions can come from various sources, not just cell phone use. Music, conversations, and even personal thoughts can divert our attention.

“We all experience moments when we focus on things other than the road which can lead to dangerous decisions,” he continues. “It's essential for everyone to remain mindful and minimize distractions to ensure safety for all road users.”

Bicycles are considered vehicles in Oregon and therefore follow many of the same traffic laws as cars and trucks. They also have equal rights to the road. But bikes are smaller, exposed, and more vulnerable, so riders should take precautions to protect themselves. Sgt. Hardy offers a few tips:

• Always Wear a Helmet. State law requires anyone under 16 to wear a helmet, but “regardless of age, wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet is essential for safety,” Sgt. Hardy says. “It protects your head in case of a fall or collision.”

• Properly adjusting and maintaining the bicycle. Before riding, adjust your bike to fit your body size with the seat and handlebars at the correct height. Also, check that tires are inflated and brakes are functioning properly, he says.

• Be Visible and Communicate. “Wear bright colors and reflective materials to increase visibility, especially in low-light conditions,” he says. “Use verbal and non-verbal signals to communicate with drivers and other cyclists and avoid riding at night when visibility is reduced.”

Here’s more advice.

Bicycle riders must travel in the same direction as vehicles, not on the opposite side of the road. Motorists, meanwhile, should add buffer space when passing. State law dictates that drivers must provide extra space – at least three feet – when overtaking a bike in case the rider falls into a vehicle’s path. 

There’s another rule both drivers and riders should know about. Oregon instituted a bicycle rolling stop or “Idaho Stop” law in 2019 that allows a cyclist to treat a stop sign as a yield. A rider can approach an intersection, assess whether it’s safe to proceed, and then continue at one's own risk without coming to a complete stop.

A 2024 study conducted at Oregon State University indicated the law, first adopted in 1982 by the state of Idaho, makes travel safer when both bike riders and motorists correctly understand the law and stay alert on the road.

“Oregon changed the law for cyclists allowing them to slow down at an intersection with a stop sign and proceed if it is clear, rather than coming to a complete stop,” Sgt. Hardy says. “When the law first came out, we saw cyclists riding at full speed through stop signs citing they could now do so. Even before and after the law changed, both motorists and cyclists disregarded traffic signals. In these cases, it is a lack of adherence to the law.”

Here are other ways motorists can also help make West Salem roads safe. 

• Focus on the task at hand, which is driving.

• Drive at safe speeds. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases injury severity.

• Obey traffic stop signs and signals but don’t assume the other vehicle will do the same. “This one is also key to cyclists,” Sgt. Hardy says. “Even if the car is supposed to stop, a cyclist should assume (the driver) may not see them or stop. It is much safer that way since they are vulnerable when in the roadway.”

• Don’t drive impaired due to alcohol or drugs.

West Salem’s hilly terrain is a draw for recreational cyclists who ride here for the uphill challenges and downhill thrills. Those hills also create a concern for bikes and motorists alike, especially in rural areas. “These hills can limit line of sight, making it harder for road users to perceive potential traffic issues from a distance.”

Everyone can contribute to bicycle safety, Sgt. Hardy says. “Overall, it requires the motorists to be paying attention to their surroundings and requires bicyclists to ride defensively and assume motorists do not see them.”