Avoiding Bicycle Accidents

  Posted in Accidents

As a bicycle accident attorney, I am seeing more bicyclist-motor vehicle collisions in 2012 than previous years. I hope this is an anomaly and not a trend. There does not seem to be any discernible pattern.

So what can you, as a cyclist, do to reduce the risk of a collision with a motor vehicle?

One of the most fundamental things is to ride WITH, not against traffic. Cyclists are generally subject to the same rules of the road as motor vehicles and are considered “traffic.” We cyclists should, to the greatest extent possible, behave like traffic.

Something we should all do – especially in the fall with darkness coming earlier than we are accustomed to – is be vigilant about making eye contact with motorists and anticipating potential hazards. Intersections are a frequent location of collisions as well as motorists making a left-hand-turn in front of cyclists.

A final thing we can do is increase our conspicuity, or ability to be seen. There are a number of ways to do this.

First, wear brightly colored clothing. And wear clothing which contains reflective patches. The earlier you can be seen, the longer the reaction time for a driver.

Second, use lights if you will be riding early or late in the day when the sun is low. A white light should be used in front and a red light in the rear. If the light blinks this will increase your chances of being seen.

Third, use proper lane position. Most state laws have language requiring cyclists to ride “as close as is safe to the right-hand curb” or similar language. Experts seem to agree that the safest position is somewhere between the center of the lane and the curb. Some describe this position as roughly the right-hand tire track of automobiles. This not only avoids hazardous debris which tends to gather close to the curb, but also increases your visibility to motor vehicles which may be approaching at a faster speed from the rear.

Be seen and be safe.