By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
School's out and there's a lot more bicycle traffic on the streets and sidewalks of Hays.
For many riders, it's been a while since they were on their bikes. They may be out of practice and their bicycles likely need a once-over to make sure they're in good condition.
"Make sure you have air in your tires and your brakes are working," said Sgt. David Vilaysing, Hays Police Department, who is also a bicycle officer. "We definitely want to keep everybody safe out there."
"The most important thing is to follow the rules of the road."
That means going the correct direction on a one-way street, coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, and obeying other traffic rules, just as if you were driving a car.
Appropriate hand and arm signals should be given when turning, changing lanes, or coming to a stop.
Bicyclists should ride single file unless the path or roadway they're on is of sufficient width to ride two abreast.
Vilaysing said most of the multi-use paths in Hays are just wide enough to ride single file.
In Hays, it is lawful to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk.
"It's preferred that you ride on the city streets because of the nature of the bicycle. It's a little bit faster and readily visible. Sidewalks are for pedestrians and for people who want to use their rollerblades or skateboards instead of bicycles."
In addition to wearing a safety helmet, other safety equipment for bicycle riders includes a front-mounted white light and a red reflector on the back of the bike, which are required in Hays when riding after sunset or before sunrise.
There are designated bike lanes across the city.
"Ride single file and follow the directional arrows that are on the lanes. You can ride safely from one point to another or just get out and get some exercise."
Drivers near bike lanes must respect that "riders are afforded the same rights and duties as motor vehicles are.
"So [drivers] have got to yield to [bicyclists] if they come up at the same time to a stop sign [at a four-way stop], the person on the right is going to have the right-of-way, whether a bicycle or motorist. ... They have to stay on the right side of the road until they move over to make a left turn. It's the same [traffic rules.]"
Vilaysing finds being a Hays bicycle officer "affords us more mobility and allows us to get out more and interact with the public." He particularly enjoys visiting with children.
"If we see kids out and about, we definitely stop and talk with them. That's the point of the bicycle program is to have more interaction with the public."
The bicycle officers prefer riding in the warmer temperatures but can be out in all weather, Vilaysing said.
Bicyclists must obey traffic rules just like motorists, and if they don't, they can be ticketed just like motorists.
"For example, if a bicyclist runs a stop sign, they can get pulled over and cited for disobeying the stop sign. If they're not using appropriate lighting equipment at night, they're going to get stopped and talked to by an officer.
"All those rights and privileges that are applicable to them, they can be held accountable for," Vilaysing said.