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Bicycle
safety statistics reveal a number of interesting
points...
- Most bicycle accidents
involve relatively inexperienced riders.
On average, it seems to take cyclists about
10,000 miles (16,000 km) of riding experience
to develop sufficient skill and defensive
technique to ride accident-free for many
years.
- Bicyclists are much
more likely to be involved in accidents while
riding bikeways or multi-use paths than while
riding on motorways. Probably the
main reason for this is that bikeways are
often crowded with inattentive pedestrians
and inexperienced cyclists, who make the
mistake of treating a bikeway as a long,
narrow playground, instead of as a roadway. They wander aimlessly and make unexpected
moves without looking or signaling, and such
activity spells trouble if there are cyclists
clicking along at 20 mph (30 km/hr) in the
vicinity.
- A cycling accident on
a motorway is much more likely to be
crippling or fatal than an accident on a
bikeway. No surprise here. The
reason for this is obvious: unlike the driver
of a car protected by his massive shell of
steel and glass, the cyclist is exposed and
vulnerable. Even the combined mass of human and
bicycle are simply no match in a collision
with a multi-ton motor vehicle.
In short, it's a dangerous and
scary world out there, wherever you choose to ride—especially if you don't know what you're
doing. But by taking a few prudent steps you can even
the odds considerably.
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Learn and
Obey the Rules of the Road
NOTE:
Nothing on this web site should be construed as
superseding the laws of the area(s) where you ride!
Laws pertaining to
bicycles vary from state to state. However, in most
states bicycles are considered vehicles by law. Where
this is the case, cyclists are expected to obey all
vehicle laws (except those expressly pertaining only
to motor vehicles), and cyclists have the
same rights on the road as the operators of other
vehicles. In addition, some localities have special
ordinances concerning bicycles. Learn and obey the
bicycle laws of your state and community.
Ride on the
right. In most parts of the world outside
Japan and the United Kingdom, vehicles are required
to be operated on the right-hand side of the roadway. Bicycles are no exception. As vehicles, bicycles
should be operated in the same direction as other
vehicular traffic. Riding on the left, against motor
traffic, causes traffic flow to be disrupted each
time a bicycle meets another vehicle. In addition, it
places the cyclist at extreme risk at intersections,
where drivers waiting at traffic lights or stop signs
are usually not watching for other vehicles
approaching on the "wrong" side of the
road.
Bicycles should be
ridden in the right-most traffic lane. In some states
it is legal for cyclists to ride two abreast in a
single traffic lane. Bicycles should not be ridden in
the parking lane or on the shoulder; these areas are
not designed for moving traffic, and are often
obstructed by parked vehicles or debris, making it
necessary for the cyclist to dodge into the traffic
lane anyway. It is much safer for the cyclist to ride
smoothly and predictably with traffic, than to weave
in and out of traffic erratically. Develop the habit
of riding in the traffic lane, and use the parking
lane or shoulder only as an emergency
"bail-out" area.
The "ride on
the right" rule also applies to bikeways, which
are actually roads. Cyclists should ride to the right
of the center line except when passing, and
pedestrians should walk on the left, as they would on
the side of a motorway with no sidewalk.
Obey all
traffic controls. All vehicles, including
bicycles, must comply fully with traffic signs and
lights. It is illegal for a cyclist to exceed the
speed limit, to run a stop sign or a red light, to
ride the wrong way on a one-way street, to cross a
railroad track for which a warning device is
operating, or to operate his vehicle on any walkway
not specifically designated as a bicycle route. (If
you must take your bike onto a pedestrian walkway,
dismount and walk it.)
Signal your
intentions. Operators of all vehicles,
including bicycles, must signal all stops, turns, and
lane changes. Wandering aimlessly from lane to lane,
or making unexpected turns or stops, is both
dangerous and illegal, regardless of the number of
tires your vehicle has. Cyclists are required to use
approved hand signals whenever appropriate. A braking
maneuver is indicated by extending the left arm
downward. A left turn or lane-change is signaled by
extending the left arm straight to the left. A right
turn or lane-change is signaled by extending the
left arm and bending it upward at the elbow. In some
states it is also legal to signal a right turn by
extending the right arm to the right.
Use the
proper lane. Because they are usually slower
than other traffic, bicycles should ordinarily be
ridden in the right-most traffic lane. However, when
approaching intersections with separate lanes for
turning and through traffic, the cyclist must signal
his intention and (after checking for traffic) enter
the appropriate lane for the direction he wants to
go.
Be aware of
the exceptions to the vehicle code as applied to
bicycles. In most states bicycles need not
be registered and bicyclists need not be licensed;
however some communities require cyclists to purchase
permits to ride within the town limits. In some
states it is legal to ride a bike on a sidewalk; in
others it is illegal. In most states bicyclists are
forbidden to ride on expressways—highways
which cross other roads by means of over- or
under-passes, and access to which is primarily by way
of entrance and exit ramps rather than via
intersections at-grade. Know and comply with the laws
of your state and of the communities in which you
ride.
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See and Be
Seen
Unlike a motor
vehicle driver, whose view of traffic and the road is
obstructed at many points by parts of his own
vehicle, the bicyclist has a clear field of view in
all directions. The wise cyclist learns to use this
advantage to its utmost.
Watch
traffic. The sine qua non of
cyclist survival is being alert to constantly
changing traffic conditions. Know at all times what
vehicles are on all sides of you, including behind
you. Use your ears as well as your eyes to alert you
to vehicles in your vicinity. If you can, learn to
turn your head to glance behind every few seconds
without swerving. If not, use a rear-view mirror;
there are various types, mountable to handlebars,
helmets, or eyeglasses. Also get into the habit of
watching for "holes" in traffic—"escape routes"—that you can use in
case of emergency.
Watch the
road. The cyclist must be extremely watchful
of road conditions, since even minor pavement
irregularities or debris can make it necessary to
swerve or stop to avoid blowing a tire or skidding.
While sand, gravel, and grooved pavement pose little
problem for motorists, they can spell disaster for a
rider balanced precariously on two skinny
high-pressure tires, even at a modest speed of 15
mph.
Watch for
special hazards. Be alert for hazards which
can trap narrow bicycle tires. Steer clear of slotted
storm drains (yet another reason to avoid riding in
the parking lane or on the shoulder). Railroad (or streetcar)
tracks should be crossed at as close to a right-angle as possible;
crossing tracks at a shallow angle (less than 45 degrees) can allow
bike tires to drop into the flangeway between rail and
road, throwing the rider and often trashing the wheel. Beware of metal- or
wooden-floored bridges; metal grids are not only hard
on bike tires, but can also become very slick with oil or moisture;
wooden planks running perpendicular to traffic might be rough enough to cause loss of control,
while planks running parallel to traffic may have
tire-trapping gaps between them; in either case,
exposed bolt and nail heads can puncture tires. Also
be wary of metal maintenance hole covers, which can
become dangerously slick from just a thin film of oil
or a few drops of rainwater.
Be visible
to others. The narrow profile of a bicycle
rider tends to make him less noticeable than other
vehicles. To compensate, wear reflective clothing. After dark or at other times of reduced visibility,
use a headlight and taillight. Reflectors help, but
only when they are in the direct headlight beam of
another vehicle; on curves, hills, or at
intersections that is simply not adequate. (I have
heard it said that dressing to look like a police
officer on bike patrol is the only sure way to get
noticed. However, the semblance should not be
overdone; you don't want to be arrested for
impersonating an officer!)
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Ride
Smoothly and Predictably
Riding straight and
true, and in compliance with traffic laws, serves two
purposes.
Smooth riding gives
the cyclist an edge in maintaining control when the
unexpected occurs. If a cyclist habitually engages in
hazardous practices which consume most of his
attention, an emergency situation can catch him
completely off his guard and with nowhere to go. If a
cyclist should suddenly encounter broken pavement, a
gust of wind, a pursuing dog, a horn-happy motorist,
a mouthful of flying insects, or sweat dripping into
his eyes, he is in a much better position to
compensate and maintain control if he is riding
smooth and straight, than if he is bobbing and
weaving about.
Smooth, predictable
riding also radiates an image of competence and
confidence. It commands the attention of the
operators of other vehicles, and helps to keep the
cyclist permanently in their view. Predictability not
only makes the cyclist more visible to motorists, but
also makes him more credible as a responsible and
legitimate user of the road.
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Ride
Assertively, but Courteously and Defensively
Claim your
space—but be ready to yield it if necessary. There is a tendency for cyclists, especially the inexperienced, to ride adjacent to the very
edge of the roadway. This presents a problem, in that
it encourages overtaking motorists to try to
squeeze by in the same lane, and also
leaves the cyclist with nowhere to go when this
happens. Instead of riding on the edge line, make a
habit of riding well into your lane, about 20-40
inches (50-100 cm) from the edge, which should place
you about half-way from the edge to the center of the
lane. This has the psychological effect of
"marking" half the traffic lane as
"yours" in the eyes of following traffic. It forces motorists to notice you and to give you
adequate space, and discourages them from trying to
pass when there is insufficient room to do so safely. And it also gives you, the cyclist, a
"cushion," room to duck out of the way, if
an oncoming vehicle or an unexpected hazard appears,
or if an aggressive motorist attempts to crowd you.
(Note that
"assertive" riding is a defensive measure.
It should not be confused with "aggressive"
riding, which is not only dangerous, but also tends
to breed disrespect for bicyclists among the motoring
public.)
Be
courteous. Look for openings in traffic and
signal your intentions before making lane changes or
turns. If you are holding up traffic behind you on a
road with no passing lane, periodically pull off the
road and stop (after signaling) to let faster
traffic go by. When cresting a hill or rounding a
curve, signal drivers behind you whether it is or is
not safe to pass.
Ride
defensively. Wear an approved helmet, with
straps snuggly tightened, and far enough forward to
protect your forehead. Keep your eyes and ears open,
and your full attention focused on traffic and the
road. Expect the unexpected. Give audible warning
when passing. Be alert for drivers making right turns
immediately after having passed you. Especially at
intersections, watch for drivers who might not see
you, or who might not realize how fast you are
approaching. Remember that drivers are human, and
humans often do goofy things, whether intentionally
or accidentally. And remember that in any physical
contest between a bicycle and a motor vehicle, the
bicycle always comes in dead last. Even if the
motorist is at fault and is successfully sued for
everything he owns, that is still poor consolation to
a crippled cyclist who must spend the rest of his
life in a wheelchair.
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Choose
Bicycle-Friendly Roads
If you have a
choice of more than one way to get to where you're
going, select a route with minimal hazards. There are
many factors which affect a road's
bicycle-friendliness, including traffic density and
speed, heavy trucks, road surface and hazards, number
and width of traffic lanes, paved shoulders, curbs,
debris, construction and detours, steep hills,
crosswinds, stop signs and traffic lights, railroad
crossings, pedestrians, and dogs or other animals.
Naturally, each person has his own perception of how
bothersome each of these things is, so different
people may have very different evaluations of the
same road.
A bikeway, if one is available,
might turn out to be your most desirable choice—or it might not, depending on how
congested it is and how fast you ride. Just remember,
there is no law which says that cyclists must always
use bikeways, just as there is no law which says that
motorists must always use expressways.
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Know a Good
Bike Lawyer
Believe it or not,
there are still many law enforcement officers, and
even judges, who are partially or wholly ignorant of
bicycle law, not to mention the mechanics of bicycle
design and the physics of riding and handling.
Therefore, if you are ever unfortunate enough to find
yourself involved in a point of legal contention
regarding your operation of a bicycle, it would be
well worth your time and effort to seek out an
attorney who is well versed in the bicycle laws of
your state—preferably one who rides a bicycle
himself / herself.
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