Below are the main points of the road rules of the Republic of Belarus, directly related to cycling. It is worth noting that cyclists are also affected by other traffic rules that apply to all road users.
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
2.5. bicycle, velomobil (hereinafter referred to as the bicycle) is a vehicle, with the exception of wheelchairs, driven by the muscular power of the person (s) in it;
2.6. bicycle lane – a road element designated for the movement of bicycle drivers (hereinafter referred to as bicyclists) marked with a road sign “Bike path”;
2.46. pedestrian – an individual who participates in road traffic outside the vehicle, including a wheelchair, skating, skiing, other sports equipment, a driving bike, a moped or a motorcycle carrying a sled or a stroller and not performing in the prescribed manner repair and other works on the road;
2.48. pedestrian zone – a territory intended for the movement of pedestrians and cyclists, the entrances to and departures from which are indicated by the road signs “Pedestrian zone” and “End of the pedestrian zone”;
2.72. pavement – an element of the road adjacent to the carriageway or separated from it by a lawn, intended for the movement of pedestrians and cyclists in accordance with these Rules;
CHAPTER 4
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF PEDESTRIANS
19. In the dark and (or) when the road is not visually visible, if a pedestrian, a leading bicycle, a moped, a motorbike without a side trailer, indicated by headlights, signal lights or retroreflectors (retroreflective ribbons), is walking along the roadside or along the roadway edge, should move along the motion of vehicles.
CHAPTER 9
MANEUVERING
58. After a stop or stop, the driver of the vehicle starting the traffic must give way to moving vehicles, except in the case provided for in paragraph 125 of these Rules. When leaving the road, the driver must give way to pedestrians, riders and cyclists, the path of which he crosses.
CHAPTER 17
TRAFFIC MOVEMENT
131. The motorway is indicated by the traffic sign “Motorway”. On motorways it is forbidden:
131.1. movement of pedestrians, horse-drawn vehicles, riders, cattle riders, movement on bicycles, mopeds, wheeled tractors, self-propelled vehicles and vehicles, which for technical reasons can not develop a speed of more than 40 km / h;
CHAPTER 18
MOVEMENT IN THE RESIDENTIAL AND PEDESTRIAN AREAS, IN THE APPROACHING TERRITORY
136. When leaving the residential and pedestrian areas, the adjacent territory, drivers must give way to vehicles moving along it, as well as pedestrians, cyclists and riders, the path of which they cross.
CHAPTER 19
STOPPING AND STANDING OF VEHICLES
142. Vehicles, with the exception of a bicycle, moped, motorcycle without a side trailer, are not allowed to be pushed on the carriageway (except for removing them from the carriageway).
CHAPTER 20
MOVEMENT ON BICYCLE AND MOPEDS
148. Movement on a bicycle should be carried out on a bicycle path, and in its absence – along the roadside, sidewalk or a footpath, without creating obstacles for the safe movement of pedestrians. In the absence of these elements of the road or the impossibility of movement on them, it is permissible for cyclists to move along the carriageway in one row not more than 1 meter from its right edge.
Wherein:
148.1. exit beyond 1 meter from the right edge of the carriageway is allowed only to avoid obstacles and in permitted cases to turn left or turn;
148.2. Cyclists’ columns when driving along the roadway should be divided into groups of no more than 10 cyclists. The distance between groups must be at least 100 meters;
148.3. if there is a line of horizontal road marking 1.2 on the roadway marking its edge, this line should be on the left of the bicyclist.
149. When driving on the road in the dark and (or) when it is not visible enough, a bicycle or moped should include: a light (light) emitting white light at the front, and a red light from behind.
150. Outside the intersections at the unregulated intersection of the bike path with the road, the cyclist is obliged to give way to vehicles moving along this road.
151. When crossing the carriageway on a pedestrian crossing, the cyclist must drive the bicycle next to him and follow the requirements provided for in this Regulation for pedestrian traffic.
152. Movement on the moped should be carried out along the roadside or the roadway of the road not further than 1 meter from the right edge of the carriageway. In this case, the exit beyond 1 meter from its right edge is allowed only to avoid obstacles and, in the permitted cases, to turn left or turn.
153. A bicyclist and a moped driver are prohibited from:
153.1. use technically faulty bicycles and mopeds, as well as those equipped in violation of the requirements of technical regulations;
153.2. Do not hold on to the wheel and (or) without keeping your feet on the pedals (footboards);
153.3. Turn left or turn on the road, which has a tramway, and on the road, which has more than one lane for traffic in this direction;
153.4. move on the road in conditions of snow and (or) icy conditions;
153.5. transport passengers, except for the carriage of children under the age of seven on an additional specially equipped seat;
153.6. transport goods that protrude more than 0.5 meters in length or width beyond the dimensions of the vehicle, as well as loads that interfere with the management of this vehicle.
154. It is forbidden to manage persons on the road without supervision of an adult:
154.1. fourteen years old – by bicycle (except pedestrian and residential areas, sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian paths);
154.2. sixteen years – a moped (except for pedestrian and residential areas).
155. The driver of a moped is prohibited to ride on sidewalks, bicycle and foot paths, paths for riders.
156. It is forbidden to tow a bicycle and a bicycle, except for a bicycle trailer of industrial production.
CHAPTER 26
BASIC PROVISIONS ON TOLERANCE OF VEHICLES TO PARTICIPATE IN ROAD TRAFFIC, THEIR TECHNICAL CONDITION, EQUIPMENT
200. The bicycle must have a working brake system, steering and sound signal, be equipped with a rear-view mirror, in front with a white retroreflector, rear – with a retroreflector (retroreflectors) of red color, and with orange retroreflectors on each side.
Rules for safe behavior during mass bicycle actions
Critical mass, Curb Friday, A day without cars – any mass bicycle actions held on the streets of the city, this is a bright and spectacular sight. However, it is not so easy to achieve the well-coordinated movement of a large group of cyclists.
If you think that the organization and holding of the shares, this is completely the concern of the organizers – you can not read further, as well, and come to the shares.
If you think that the shares turn out “by themselves” – forget about it.
If you are sure that nothing depends on your behavior during the action – you are wrong.
Each new action is the work and care of volunteers and participants. Yes, yes – participants! Each of us, taking part in the action, assumes responsibility for ensuring that everything went smoothly and without incident.
Every cyclist must know and observe the “Rules of the Road”, at least the part that concerns the movement of cyclists.
In addition, there are a number of simple rules for movement in a large group of cyclists. By observing these rules, each of us makes a useful contribution to the organization of the shares. The rules are formulated as simply as possible so that they can understand and comprehend any slow-wittedness (well, you’re not that kind, right?).
Rules of movement in a group of cyclists:
1. Observe the distance! Especially before going to you. Always watch the situation ahead of you.
2. Move straight! Do not wiggle in the sides and do not move inside the column. If you want to go next to a friend (girlfriend, mom, etc.), get close to him at the start.
3. Go where everyone is! If the action passes along the roadway – do not jump to the sidewalk, if the column moves along the sidewalk – you have nothing to do on the roadway.
4. Do not talk on the phone! It distracts your attention, and sharp braking with one hand leads to a drop
5. Do not smoke! Enough and without you exhaust.
6. Turn on the light! When driving in the dark, the cyclist should be marked with a white lantern in front and red in the back.
7. Brake and turn smoothly! Warn the rest with special gestures:
– to indicate the turn, take the hand corresponding to the direction of rotation, horizontally to the side;
– Before you slow down, raise your arm vertically up;
– if you see an obstacle in front of you (open hatch, pothole), when driving around, always point at it with your hand;
– gestures can be duplicated by voice, loudly uttering “Stop!”, “Warning!”, “Caution!”, Etc .;
– Always watch the gestures of others, especially those who are moving ahead.
8. Leave the ponies at home! Jumping, riding on the rear wheel, drift and other freaks here are not appropriate and not safe for the people around you.
9. No alcohol! Do not take alcohol before and during the action. After – it’s already a private matter for everyone.
Breaking these rules, you endanger your safety and the safety of others
Also, I specifically focus on this “risk group” as beginners. It’s always nice to see that the number of shares is growing, but new people are often not familiar with the goals of the actions held, nor, moreover, with these rules. I ask all experienced participants not to remain indifferent and to work hard to explain these simple rules to beginners.
A little about the organization of the movement of the column and volunteers
Volunteers are active cyclists who provide voluntary assistance in organizing and conducting actions. Volunteers are provided with retroreflective vests, which helps to distinguish them from the participants in the column. By nature of duties, volunteers are divided in this way:
1. Guides:
– set the necessary speed of the column, which will make it possible to move participants of the column with different physical preparation equally comfortably;
– control the speed on the descents, lowering it to avoid “blockages”;
– “hold” the column after a prolonged ascent, waiting for the closing;
– ensure that the participants of the column do not overtake the guide (as a rule, the escort vehicle is guided by the first participants of the column);
– warns the column about approaching obstacles.
2. The attendants:
– when moving along the carriageway, they are built along the left edge of the column to increase the visibility of the column and prevent movement of participants outside the right lane;
– follow the general order in the column, not allowing gross violations of rules during the movement.
3. Closing:
– monitor the tail of the column, make sure that the column is not strongly stretched and not torn, in the presence of radio communication with the guides can adjust the speed of the column;
– When lagging behind or stopping individual participants find out the reasons, if necessary, “hold” the column or allocate the participant for technical, medical or other assistance (closing does not leave the column to the finish).
material prepared by votodef