There’s a lot more people these days who opt to ride their bikes rather than drive. Riding your bike can sometimes be a dangerous choice. But, it doesn’t have to be. To put it simply, practicing good cyclist safety as a driver is extremely important. That way, you can all share the road and be safe…
Cyclist Safety: Sharing The Road
Slow it down
It’s a good idea to watch your speed as part of cyclist safety. Not surprisingly, cyclists can’t go as fast as your car. Some drivers might get frustrated and just want to speed past the slower bikes. However, this is an easy way to potentially end up in an accident, either with them or another car.
Instead, slow down when you approach someone on a bike. Not only are you keeping them safe, you’re also letting those behind you they need to slow down as well. Once it’s safe, you can then try to pass by them.
Keep your eyes open
Awareness is also an important part of cyclist safety. Bikes not only are slower than your car, but they’re also much smaller. This makes them harder to spot while on the road. Plus, it can be easy for a bike to come up through your blind spots, especially in a city or town.
That’s why you always want to keep your eyes open for bikes. Check not only in front of your car, but also in your blind spots as well. That way, you can be aware of if there are any bike riders around you. Even when parking, be sure to double-check for cyclists before you open your door!
Understand the signals
Hand signals aren’t something that many drivers think that they need to know. However, it’s pretty important for good cyclist safety. As bikes don’t have turn signals, their riders have to use their hands to let others know what they’re doing. Not understanding these signals could lead to an accident.
The three main signals to understand are right turns, left turns, and stopping. A right turn signal is when a rider points their arm upwards at a 90-degree angle. For left turns, the signal is when they stick their arm straight out at the side. Finally, stopping is signaled when they point their arm downwards at a 90-degree angle.