Cycling is a great way to stay healthy, protect the environment and avoid traffic. However, cyclists must protect themselves on the road. Whether you’re a seasoned bike commuter or just starting out, there are a few tips you should keep in mind. That’s why Goodman Acker has put together a list of nine ways cyclists can stay safe.
1. Follow pedestrians.
To avoid trouble, most pedestrians prefer to move forward rather than stop and retreat. If you try to shoot pedestrians before moving on, you’ll end up in a vulnerable spot. However, if you always pass the space behind the pedestrians, there is no doubt which side will give way. You can always avoid a collision by running after passing pedestrians. No doubt you’ve moved past the moment you ran into someone, but it was an awkward back-and-forth dance where two people try to get past each other. When you’re on foot, your natural instinct is to play it safe (albeit a little self-consciously), but when you’re on a bike and encounter a pedestrian, things can immediately become dangerous. People often do unexpected things, but there is good news. This unpredictability is predictable.
2. Stay away from car doors.
Car doors pose a great danger to cyclists on the road. Passengers in cars open their car doors just as a bicycle passes by, making it very difficult for drivers (or passengers) to predict how the car will behave.
So what can a bike commuter do? The best way to avoid being hit by an open door is to move away from the space it could be occupying. Do this every time you pass a stationary car while keeping the car door open. However, it is a good idea to take these precautions for any vehicle that is not being actively driven, not just parked vehicles.
Please use extreme caution if you must pass through this fenced area. Slow down and pay attention to warning signs that the gate may be open. This can include brake lights or the sight of the passenger swaying back and forth as they exit the vehicle.
3. Plan your route in advance.
Familiarize yourself with bike paths and the routes you typically take. It’s not a bad idea to take a test drive before work to make sure you’re not in a rush and don’t have to sacrifice safety to make time for the commute. You should also have a contingency plan in place so you can easily make adjustments in the event of unexpected construction or traffic situations.
The ideal cycle path uses both streets with cycle paths and paved sidewalks. Safety is further increased when bicycle-specific infrastructure is in place. Using bike paths can save you time in the long run by avoiding red lights, even if it means you’re slightly off the route to your final destination. You can also save minutes on your overall commute by taking routes designed to keep cyclists safe.
4. Look over your left shoulder.
We assume that you know how to navigate the flow of traffic. That’s right. We understand that some cyclists may choose to ride against the flow to avoid traffic jams or find a more direct route to their destination. However, riding against traffic can be very dangerous and can result in a head-on collision with another cyclist, pedestrian or vehicle.
In other words, get used to looking over your left shoulder when driving on the right side of the road. Do this when approaching a ramp, intersection, or exit. Looking over your left shoulder can help you avoid a common problem for cyclists: when a car traveling in the same direction veers off the road and overtakes you before coming into your path.
If you get in early, you can cross the turning lane and weave through traffic. This way, when the car in front of you slows down to make a turn, you can move to the outside of the car instead of staying between it and the turn.
5. Exaggerate to stand out from the crowd.
Assume that drivers or pedestrians cannot see you. Then take a few steps to let them know you exist.
First, go beyond hand gestures and communicate with other people traveling with you. If you plan to change lanes or turn, look over your shoulder, stop pedaling, and slowly move toward the car behind you, signaling to it with your whole body. You can feel the people behind you react to make room for you. If you feel it’s safe to move, you can use hand signals.
Excessive eye contact can also help attract attention. So do not wear glasses with dark lenses! If you can make eye contact with pedestrians or drivers, you can more easily communicate with your target.
You can also use some useful tools to make yourself stand out more. Think of: headlights, taillights, high visibility clothing and accessories. The more a driver sees, the less likely it is that an accident will occur.
6. Use hand signals.
Regardless of whether you are on the highway or on a bike path, show the people around you the way with appropriate signs. This is to communicate efficiently and effectively with other members of your team and other people on the road and can help you avoid unnecessary mistakes that can lead to harmful and fatal accidents.
7. Avoid distractions.
Cycling can be a meditative exercise, but it’s not without its risks. Listening to music through headphones should be avoided. This can affect your ability to hear and react to sounds around you. For example, if your car spins out of control and enters a bike path, you may not hear tire squealing or the horn honking through your headphones. Avoid distractions like this to keep all your senses focused on safety.
Avoid texting and cycling, video messaging and cycling. Like other drivers, cyclists need to concentrate on the road.
8. Plan your itinerary.
When every driver on the road sees you, accidents are less likely to occur. It goes without saying that daylight hours are a safe time for cycling. Of course, the days get shorter in Michigan during the fall and winter, so you’ll likely have to move at night.
If you must ride at night, always use bright lights on the front and back of your bike to alert others to your presence. You should also wear reflective gear on your bike and clothing. Many stores sell reflective jerseys, cycling shorts, shoes, vests and jackets to better protect cyclists in low light conditions and at night. If you’re driving during the day, try wearing light-colored clothing instead of dark, muted colors to help you blend in with your surroundings.
9. Wear a helmet.
Needless to say, it’s worth repeating. A helmet can mean the difference between life and death if you have an accident while riding your bike. Studies show that motorcyclists without helmets are about 14 times more likely to suffer fatal head injuries than those wearing helmets. If you’re concerned that your helmet will compromise your style, leave a little extra time between rides so you have time to cool down at your destination.
What injuries are common in bicycle accidents?
We hope our list of safety measures helps you stay safe while cycling. But we know that accidents happen. There is an increased risk of injury simply because you are not wearing a seatbelt or the airbag is not deployed. The most common injuries in bicycle accidents include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Road rash
- Lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal hemorrhaging
