• far outnumber cyclists,
• comprise your readership, and
• are frequently ignorant of the laws concerning bicycle use on roads.

"Bicyclists on public streets have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers. Respect the right-of-way of bicyclists because they are entitled to share the road with other drivers. Here are some critical points for drivers and cyclists to remember:

• Drivers must:
  • look carefully for bicyclists before opening doors next to moving traffic or before turning right.
  • safely merge toward the curb or into the bike lane.
  • not overtake a bicyclist just before making a right turn. Merge first, then turn.
• Bicyclists:
  • are lawfully permitted to ride on certain sections of freeways. Be careful when approaching or passing a bicyclist on a freeway.
  • must ride in the same direction as other traffic, not against it.
  • must ride in a straight line as near to the right curb or edge of the roadway as practical—not on the sidewalk.
  • must ride single file on a busy or narrow street.
  • must make left and right turns in the same way that drivers do, using the same turn lanes.
  • must signal all their intentions to motorists and cyclists near them.
  • may legally move left to turn left, to pass a parked or moving vehicle, another bicycle, an animal, or to make a turn, avoid debris, or other hazards.
  • may choose to ride near the left curb or edge of a one-way street.
  • may use a left turn lane. If the bicyclist is traveling straight ahead, he or she should use a through traffic lane rather than ride next to the curb and block traffic making right turns."