Avoiding Accidents

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Read enough bicycle accident statistics and you might think twice about hopping on your two-wheeler. Fear not, there are ways to avoid becoming a statistic.

Sure, it’s critical to wear a helmet and follow all the laws, but those preventative tacks must be coupled with proactive riding, realizing that even though bicyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, not everybody is on the same page.

It is up to you to keep yourself safe. Anticipate what motorists may do that could be dangerous to you as a bicyclist and do your best to avoid it.

The following are some ways to avert common maneuvers by motorists that could spell disaster for bicyclists.

	Keep alert of your surroundings, particularly where there are side streets, driveways, parking lots, etc. from which motorists can emerge. Make eye contact with motorists in these situations so they know you are there. Also, slow down a bit so that if you have to stop abruptly, you can without slamming into the car.
	Alertness is also particularly imperative when you are riding past parked cars; you never know when the driver will exit the vehicle. Running into an open car door can be deadly. To avoid such an incident, ride further to the left; chances are much greater of getting "doored" than being hit by a motorist who’s behind you and has you in clear view.
	Stopping for red lights—A perfect example of how obeying the law does not preclude the chances of an accident. Don’t stop in the blind spot—to the right of the car(s). A driver turning right at the green light may not see you as you proceed forward. You should either stop in front of the first car (so the driver can see you) or behind the car so you’re in plain view of the second motorist. If you choose the first position, make sure that you cross the intersection swiftly. If you choose the latter position, always assume that the car in front of you is going to turn right.
	There are several ways to dodge trouble when a motorist makes a right-hand turn. First, riding to the left (taking the lane) makes it more difficult for motorists to cut you off or turn into you. Secondly, never ride on the sidewalk because motorists are not aware of you; if you suddenly pop up in the intersection, chances are good that you’re going to get hit. Thirdly, never pass on the right.
	Being hit from behind is one of the most feared collisions among bicyclists. You can steer clear of such an accident by looking behind you when you move to the left; a mirror also comes in handy. And, don’t swerve in and out of the parking lane; pick a course and stick to it. Taking the lane is often the safest way to ride.
	Being hit from behind is one of the most feared collisions among bicyclists. You can steer clear of such an accident by looking behind you when you move to the left; a mirror also comes in handy. And, don’t swerve in and out of the parking lane; pick a course and stick to it. Taking the lane is often the safest way to ride.
	When on the road, behave as though you’re in a car—in other words, take the lane. When there is no designated bike lane, assert your equal right to the road by riding just to the right of the grease lane, and not in the gutter.
	When riding in a bike lane, use the outer one-third of the lane; this will reduce your chances of getting "doored" when a motorist opens the driver's-side door to exit a vehicle.

Whenever you ride, be sure to have some form of identification on your body—a bracelet, anklet, necklace. Depending on the type of accident, a cyclist’s clothes may have to be removed by an emergency crew, thus separating the cyclist from the ID he or she may have in a jersey pocket. And, always ride with a cell phone that has a camera; you never know when you have to document something.

In addition to avoiding accidents, bicyclists must also know how to avoid confrontations. These can happen when motorists don’t understand that bicyclists have a legal right to share the road with them or when bicyclists abuse that right by thinking the same rules (laws) of the road don’t apply to them. Whatever the cause of the clash, you can keep a conflict from escalating into road rage by keeping your cool. If a discussion ensues, do the smart thing and keep it at that—even if you agree to disagree. Raised voices, threatening stances or worse can’t lead to anything positive.