As a cyclist, you know that much of the time, your life is in your own hands. Drivers don’t always make way for you, and they can speed past or not give you enough room to get by safely. Sometimes they tailgate or throw open their doors in your lane.
Fortunately, there are tips that can help keep you safer on the roads. It’s a driver’s responsibility to make sure no one is in his or her path when he or she opens a door and that no cyclist is going to be impacted by his or her driving. If you are hit, you can seek compensation from a negligent driver.
What can you do to avoid an accident in the first place? Start by riding with traffic as far to the right as possible in the lane. Common knowledge says to travel against traffic, but that may be illegal, just as riding on a sidewalk can be illegal. The best option is to stay in the correct lane and to use correct hand signals if you need to make a turn. If there is a biking lane, always use it.
If you’re traveling quickly, another option is to ride with traffic. You have the right to use the road, and you may use the entire lane if you need to. If you’re going to be riding at night, put lights on your bicycle and wear reflective clothing. This helps you stand out and keeps drivers from approaching you too quickly.
These are just a couple tips to help you stay safer on the road. Take precautions, and you can enjoy your ride.
Source: Yield to Life, “10 Safety Tips for Cyclists,” accessed April 13, 2017