TIPS on bike safety
HOW NOT TO GET HIT BY CARS
Important Lessons on Bicycle Safety
By: Michael Bluejay
Most bicycle advice consists of telling cyclists to wear an helmet and follow the laws of the road. While this advice should always be followed, it won’t help cyclists to avoid accidents. According to Michael Bluejay “your #1 goal should be to avoid getting hit in the first place. Plenty of cyclists are killed by cars even though they were wearing helmets. Ironically, if they had ridden without helmets, yet followed the guidelines listed below, they might still be alive today.â€� The author outlines ten ways cyclists can avoid accidents.
Accident #1 — The Right Cross. A vehicle is making a right turn from a side street , parking lot or driveway and apparently does not see the approaching cyclist. Ways to avoid this accident: (1) get a headlight; (2) honk; (3) slow down; or (4) ride further to the left.
Accident #2 — The Door Prize. A driver opens his/her vehicle door and the cyclists runs into the door. Way to avoid this accident: (1) ride further to the left.
Accident #3 — The Crosswalk Slam. A cyclist is riding on the sidewalk, crosses the street at the crosswalk and is hit by a vehicle making a right turn. Ways to avoid this accident: (1) get a headlight; (2) slow down; and (3) don’t ride on the sidewalk in the first place.
Accident #4 — The Wrong Way Wreck. A cyclists is riding facing traffic, a driver is making a right turn and collides with the cyclist. Way to avoid this accident: (1) Don’t ride against traffic.
Accident #5 — Red Light of Death. A cyclists comes to a stop at a stop sign or red light next to a vehicle that is already stopped. When the light turns green, the cyclist proceeds and collides with the vehicle making a right turn. Way to avoid this accident: (1) don’t sit in the blind spot.
Accident #6 — The Right Hook. A vehicle passes a cyclist and makes a right turn in front of the cyclist, thus causing the cyclist to collide with the vehicle. Ways to avoid this accident: (1) don’t ride on the sidewalks; (2) ride to the left; and (3) glance in a mirror before approaching an intersection.
Accident #7 — The Right Hook, Part II. A cyclist passes a slow moving vehicle or cyclist on the right when the other vehicle or bike makes an unexpected right, colliding with the cyclist. Ways to avoid this accident: (1) don’t pass on the right; and (2) look behind before turning right. (Note: if you must pass on the right, be sure not to sit in the vehicle’s blind spot.)
Accident #8 — The Left Cross. A vehicle is traveling in opposing traffic and makes a left turn right in front of or into the cyclist. Ways to avoid this accident: (1) don’t ride on the sidewalk; (2) get a headlight; (3) wear something bright, especially during the day; (4) don’t pass on the right; and (5) slow down.
Accident #9 — The Rear End. A cyclist moves to the left to avoid an obstruction (such as parked car or road-kill) and is rear-ended by a vehicle coming from behind the cyclist. Ways to avoid this accident: (1) never, ever move to the left without checking behind first; (2) don’t swerve in and out of the parking lane if it contains any parked vehicles; and (3) use a mirror.
Accident #10 — The Rear-End, Part II. A vehicle traveling behind a cyclist collides with the bicycle from behind. Ways to avoid this accident: (1) get a rear light; (2) wear a reflective vest or a safety triangle; (3) choose wide streets; (4) choose slow streets; (5) use back streets on weekends; (6) get a mirror; and (7) don’t hug the curb.
Here a few more General Tips:
· Avoid busy streets
· Light up (with bicycle lights — not cigarettes!)
· Take up the entire lane when appropriate
· Ride as if you were invisible
