Ride Smart this Summer: Avoid the 5 Most Common Bike-Car Collisions Bicycle safety guidelines urge cyclists of all ages to wear a helmet and to follow the rules of the road. But wearing a helmet won’t prevent a cyclist from getting hit by a car. Sure, helmets will help if the cyclist gets hit, but the #1 goal should be to avoid getting hit in the first place. Unfortunately, many cyclists are killed by cars even though they were wearing helmets. Of the more than 33,000 people killed in car crashes each year, 1 in 41 is a bicyclist. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they start biking is to take the exact same routes used when driving. Actually, it’s usually better to take different streets with fewer and slower cars. Sure, cyclists have a right to the road but thats a small consolation if they are hit by a car. Learn routes well enough to pedal through slower-speed residential neighborhoods, only crossing the busiest streets rather than traveling on them. Remember, bikers are not trying to BE invisible. It’s simply important to ride with the assumption that cars cant see them. If you’re a cyclist of any age, you certainly want them to see you and you should help them with that. Wave to motorists who you think might be about to pull out in front of you. Make sure you’re lit up like a Christmas tree at night wearing reflective clothing along with front and rear lights on your bike. Here are the most common bike-car collisions: 1. The Left Cross A motorist fails to see a cyclist and makes a left turn--this accounts for almost half of all bike-car crashes, according to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC). AVOID IT: If you see a car turning into your path, turn right into the lane with the vehicle. Dont creep into the intersection at red lights to get a head start. 2. The Right Hook A motorist passes a cyclist on the left and turns right into the bikes path. AVOID IT: Passing stopped or slow-moving cars on the right places you in a drivers blind spot. Take the lane--its your right in all 50 states. If youre in the lane, the driver will slow down and stay behind you and wait to make the turn. 3. Doored A cyclist traveling next to parked cars lined up on the street strikes a car door opened by the driver. AVOID IT: Always look several cars ahead. Ride at least 3 feet from parked cars, taking the lane if necessary. Be prepared to stop suddenly. 4. Parking Lotted A motorist exits a driveway or parking lot into the path of a bicyclist. AVOID IT: No bike-handling tricks can overcome the danger of riding on a road with numerous parking-lot exits. Take a less-direct route. If you dont change routes, follow the law and ride fully in the road, not on the sidewalk where bikers are less likely to be seen by drivers. 5. The Overtaking A motorist hits a cyclist from behind. AVOID IT: Make yourself as visible as possible and ride predictably. Use reflectors and lights at night. When moving to the left, signal with your arm. Go in a straight line while checking traffic over your shoulder because even the most diligent driver could hit a swerving bike. *Source of Information: Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center, Highway Safety Research Center, US Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:56:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015