by Danny Feldman

Bicycling is a great way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors, but like virtually any activity, there are risks. And, one of the biggest risks is getting hit by a car. So, other than not riding your bicycle, what are some things you can do to avoid getting hit while riding?

First, be seen. Larger objects like trucks are easier to see than smaller objects like cars, and similarly, cars are more visible than people riding bicycles. So, the very first thing you want to do when cycling is you want to be seen. How to do this?

  • Run lights, front and rear, when riding day or night. Simply put, even during daylight, using a front light makes you more visible than not using one. And, of course, the same is true regarding a red taillight. These devices are relatively inexpensive and using them may save you from a crash.
  • Wear bright and/or reflective clothing. Same premise, bright colors generally are easier to see and especially if you ride when it’s dark, reflective clothing is a must.
  • Don’t ride where you are not expected to be – (more about this below) so, do not ride against traffic. A motorist pulling up to a “T” intersection getting ready to make a right-hand turn may only look to their left to make sure there is no traffic coming from that direction. If you are approaching this intersection against traffic from the right of the motorist, then the motorist may never see you until he/she turns right into you.

Second – be predictable. As the above example illustrates, you want to ride where motorized traffic expects you to be. So, remember, “you are traffic” and thus you have all the rights and obligations as a motorist (with very limited exceptions). Hence, don’t ride against traffic because a motorist is not going to expect you to be there. Signal—let a motorist know before you stop or make a turn or otherwise reposition yourself on the roadway. At a stop light or stop sign, get in line with the motorists, and don’t slide by on the right side of stopped traffic. In short, ride like the traffic you are and let motorists know what you are going to do before you do it.

Third – be aware. So, don’t ride with headphones in, getting lost in the music. Don’t be looking at your cell phone. Pay attention to the sights and sounds of the road. Know the most common places where crashes occur—at intersections—and how crashes occur so that you can be in a position to take evasive action if necessary. Two of the most common types of bicycle vs. motor vehicle collisions are the “right hook” and the “left cross.” In the former, a car behind you attempts to pass you and then makes a right in front of you. Often the overtaking motorist underestimates the cyclist’s speed, thus resulting in a crash. And, the left hook occurs when an oncoming motorist attempts to make a left directly in front of the cyclist—again, underestimating the cyclist’s speed and causing a crash. Although the motorist clearly is “at fault” in both these scenarios, as a cyclist, you’d rather avoid the crash as opposed to getting injured and having a case.

No matter how carefully you ride, sometimes a crash is unavoidable. However, taking the simple steps outlined above can greatly reduce your risk of being involved in an accident with a car.