Sharing The Road with Cyclists

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More people are choosing to strap on their helmet and hop on a bike to get around. It has also become a popular choice for exercise. As a driver, you should be on the lookout for bike riders, and bikers should be aware too. Knowing how to share the road can prevent accidents from happening.

Sharing The Road

If you are a driver, it is important to know that bicyclists have the same rights to the road as you do. You should:

• Be aware of bicyclists as they are sometimes harder to spot on the road.
• Give cyclists room on the road and know that they are allowed to use a full lane if needed.
• Maintain a safe following distance from cyclists which will provide both you and the cyclist with more reaction time in case of unexpected stops.

If you need to pass a bicyclist, be patient even if you need to follow the cyclist for a little while. Use the same process as you would with a vehicle and pass when it is safe to do so.  Checking your blind spot is also very important in case a cyclist is coming up behind you.

Paying Attention

As a driver being attentive on the road is one of the most important things you can do to prevent accidents. Here are some things you can do if you see a cyclist:

• Yield to bicyclists like you would to other vehicles on the road.
• Don’t cut cyclists off as their ability to control the speed they are going is different than if they were in a vehicle.
• Stop and look both ways to ensure that there are no bikes coming your way and proceed when it is safe.
• Before opening your door to get out of your vehicle, check to see if there are any cyclists coming your way before stepping out.

Using Cycling Hand Signals

Communication is important when you are on the road. Cars can communicate with each other using the vehicle’s built in turn signals, but cyclists should use the appropriate hand signs to communicate their directional intent. Here are some common hand signals used by cyclists:

• Left Turn: Having the left arm fully extended to the left side
• Right Turn: Having the right arm fully extended to the right side
• Slowing & Stopping: Having the arm bent down at a 90-degree angle with the palm open

Cycling On the Road

Many casual bike riders aren’t aware that the same traffic laws that apply to driver also apply to them when riding a bike. Although cyclists usually have the right of way, they should still be cautious and bike defensively to protect themselves.

• If biking at night, use the proper equipment to make sure your are visible.
• Use hand signals to communicate with others on the road to signal what your intentions are.
• Always ride with traffic, never against it.
• Keep a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles so you have enough time to react to unexpected events.

Whether you are riding a bike or driving a vehicle, knowing how to share the road and communicate with each other can prevent accidents from happening.

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