Sharing the Road: Motorists and Cyclists

Our public road system is meant to be shared by all types of vehicles. Some of our roads are shared with: emergency vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, small scooters, bicycles and pedestrians. In order to co-exist together on our roadways everyone must blend together to form a smooth transition; although this blending is sometimes more chaotic than peaceful.

Any given year there is an estimated 800 -1000 cyclists who die on the roadway. Another 500,000 cyclists will also be treated for injuries and released. In fact, "the first automobile accident in the United States occurred when a motor vehicle crashed into a pedal cycle rider in New York City in 1896."

Although automobiles and cyclists are both allowed to share the same roadway, this can cause a safety hazard in some situations. Many different cities have proposed building bike lanes and extending road shoulders for the cyclists, but most of these ideas are still in the planning stages. The debate rages on exactly where these bicycle lanes should be proposed. Common theory is that bicycle lanes should be in a high traffic area of cyclists where the speed differential is very high, compared to the neighborhood streets which have lower speed limits.

Passing cyclists on two lane roads can create havoc, and sometimes injury. Head on collisions are imminent when an impatient driver passes unaware of a car in the opposing lane of traffic. Many experienced cyclists help the motorist to pass with hand signals in this situation, letting the motorist know when it's safe to pass.

Cyclists should ride on the right side of the lane on two lane roads, as this provides more room for the motorist to pass in this situation. Always give the cyclist plenty of room when passing and remember; cyclists are subject to road conditions such as: holes in the road, pavement differential, and railroad tracks.

Most accidents involving cyclists in suburban streets are caused by "mid-block ride outs," which are when the young cyclist enters the roadway from driveways alleys or curbs without: slowing, stopping, or checking the traffic. Always be aware when driving on suburban streets, and be prepared for the unexpected. Parked cars and other objects obscure your vision, and are obstacles for both the cyclist and the motorist to go around.

Cycling is one of the top most recreational activities in the United States. There are over 90,000,000 cyclists in the U.S, and 30,000,000 of these are adult riders. Motorists need to be aware of the cyclists, and get use to sharing the road because their numbers are growing every year.

Showing some respect for the cyclists, and having a little patience goes a long way in avoiding an altercation between the two. Here are few accidents situations which can help you to be aware of the risks present when sharing the road with cyclists, and how to avoid an unnecessary injury. Additional statistics on these accidents can also be found at: www.massbike.org/info/statistics.htm .

Motorists failure to yield

30% of cyclists accidents are caused by the motorists who have failed to yield the right of way to the cyclist. Most of these accidents are done when the motorist pulls out from a stop sign, and fails to yield to the cyclists. Other accidents are caused when the motorist turns left in front of the cyclists. Always be aware of all traffic in this situation; never slide through the stop.

Cyclists failure to yield

Again 30% of these accidents are also when the cyclist fail to yield the right of way to the motorist. Most of these accidents are done by the young and inexperienced cyclists who come out of driveways and alleys, and fail to stop or observe the traffic when they enter the street.

Poor visibility at night

18% of these accidents are cars which have overtaken the cyclists due to poor visibility. Some of these cases have been due to drunk driving. Stop signs and turning cars are also the culprit in these cases. When cycling at night, always look over your shoulder to be aware of up and coming traffic.

Wrong way riding

10% of these accidents are caused by the motorist who overtakes the cyclists when the motorist enters the road from a side street. Poor observation skills by both parties are what injures most of these cyclists.

Rear end collisions

Motor vehicles who overtakes slower moving cyclists causes 7% of these types of accidents. This is either due to poor driving habits or limited visibility. Cycling at night time on two lane roads is especially dangerous for the cyclists. Motorists should always be aware of the un-expected on two lane roads, especially suburban neighborhood roads.

Car doors

Over 5% of cyclists are injured by this very procedure. Motorists who are totally unaware when they exit their car injure hundreds of cyclists each year in this type of accident. Always check before you exit your car, especially if you're parked on a street. This is by the way illegal, and the motorist is always at fault when this happens. It's also recommended that cyclists keep at least three feet away from a parked car.

A little common courtesy can go along way in helping to keep our highways and streets safe. Give the cyclists a few extra seconds of your day when you meet them on the road. And don't think just because you're bigger than the cyclists, that they don't deserve the same respect you'd show a Mack truck who was sharing the road with you.

Sources of information:

www.massbike.org/info/statistics.htm
www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/traffic