Did you know
Most car/bike collisions involving child cyclists are caused by the child.
Most car/bike collisions involving adult cyclists are caused by the motorist.
For both child and adult bicyclists, riding safely in traffic doesn't have to be
a hit or miss (pun intended) situation. There are preventative measures which
can be taken to reduce the likelihood of a crash and avoidance techniques
which can be employed if a crash is imminent.
As a cyclist, you are likely to encounter the following motorist errors at intersections:
1. MOTORIST LEFT TURN WITHOUT YIELDING TO STRAIGHT THROUGH CYCLISTS.
Prevention:
Be visible - wear bright-colored clothing, establish eye contact, use lights at night;
Be predictable - maintain proper lane position, ride a straight line;
Be assertive - plan to take your appropriate right-of-way, and act accordingly;
Be alert - assess the situation, and be prepared to take evasive action.
Avoidance:
quick stop*
instant turn.*
2. MOTORIST RIGHT TURN, CUTTING IN FRONT OF STRAIGHT THROUGH CYCLIST
Prevention:
Be visible - wear bright-colored clothing, establish eye contact, don't ride in motorist's blind spot;
Be predictable - maintain proper lane position, ride a straight line, do not pass motorist on right;
Be assertive - plan to take your appropriate right-of-way, and act accordingly;
Be alert - assess the situation, look for a turn signal or watch the front wheel of the car, be prepared to take evasive action.
Avoidance:
quick stop*
instant turn.*
3. MOTORIST PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM CROSS STREET
WITHOUT YIELDING TO THROUGH WAY CYCLIST
Prevention:
Be visible - establish eye contact or use sound to make the motorist aware of you;
Be predictable - maintain just-to-the-right-of-center lane position so you are where motorists
expect to see traffic and so you are not blocked from view by any parked cars, ride a straight line;
Be assertive - plan to take your appropriate right-of-way, and act accordingly;
Be alert - assess the situation, and be prepared to take evasive action.
Avoidance:
quick stop*
instant turn.*
* For information about these maneuvers, see Bicycle USA, March/April '93 for Quick Stop
and May '93 for Instant Turn.
Use of a bicycle helmet and gloves will reduce the severity of any injuries sustained
in a crash that can't be avoided.
Reprinted from "Bicycle USA", magazine of the League of American Bicyclists.
For more information about the League of American Bicyclists, visit
their web site, www.bikeleague.org,
or e-mail them at bikeleague@aol.com.
