Mike Ford notes that “common” solutions are needed to ensure bicycle safety these days. “Common” as in common sense and common courtesy.
Common courtesy makes travel safer for everyone, in a car or on a bike, said Ford, community resource officer with the Iola Police Department, and frequently makes more sense than strictly following the law.
In some instances, strictly obeying the law may even complicate matters, such as the one mandating bicyclists remain as far to the right side of a roadway as possible.
Staying so far to the right on a city street puts the bike rider in danger of colliding with vehicles pulling onto the street from a driveway or another street, Ford said.
Or, it could make it more difficult for motorists to see the bike, he added.
Ford has a number of tips to keep bicyclists — and motorists — safe. He spoke about a number of potentially deadly car-bike accidents:
The Rear End — You merge to the left to go around a parked car or some other obstruction, only to get nailed by a car coming from the rear.
How to avoid:
1. Never move left without looking behind first. Some motorists like to pass cyclists within mere inches, so even the slightest change could have disastrous consequences.
2. Practice holding a straight line on your bicycle while looking over your shoulder until you can do it perfectly. Most new cyclists tend to move left when they look behind.
3. Use a mirror.
4. Signal. Never turn or change lanes without signaling.
5. Use a rear light.
6. Wear a reflective vest.
7. Choose wide streets with slower traffic. Avoid busy thoroughfares.
THE WRONG-WAY WRECK — You’re riding the wrong way — against traffic, on the left-hand side of the street. A car makes a right turn from a side street. The motorist may not see you because they were looking for traffic only to their left. Police can cite bicyclists for traveling the wrong way.
How to avoid:
1. Always ride with the flow of traffic.
Traveling on a bike at 15 mph and getting hit by an oncoming car traveling 30 mph would provide the same blow as getting hit at 45 mph if the bicycle were stationary.
THE RIGHT CROSS — The most common way to get hit by a car. A car is pulling out of a side street, parking lot or driveway to the right. The driver is most often is focused on traffic to his left and is less apt to notice a nearby bicycle.
How to avoid:
1. Use a headlight. A headlight is required by law when riding a bike at night. Lights also make a bicycle rider more visible during the day. Helmets or mounted lights work best, Ford said.
2. Slow down. If you can’t make eye contact with a driver, slow down to be sure you can come to a complete stop if necessary. It’s inconvenient, but beats getting hit.
3. Ride farther left. When a motorist is looking down the road for traffic, he is probably looking toward the middle of the road for oncoming traffic and is likely to miss the bike lane or area closest to the curb.
THE LEFT CROSS — An oncoming car makes a left turn in the bicyclist’s path.
How to avoid:
1. Use a headlight to be seen.
2. Slow down.
3. Wear something bright, even during the day. Yellow or orange reflective vests are effective. Reflective leg bands also are inexpensive and conspicuous.
4. Never pass on the right, and never overtake slow-moving vehicles on the right.
5. Do not ride on sidewalks. When you come off the sidewalk to cross the street, you’re practically invisible to turning motorists.
THE CROSSWALK SLAM — You’re riding on the sidewalk, cross at a crosswalk and a car turns into you.
How to avoid:
Cars aren’t expecting bikes in the crosswalk.
1. Use a headlight to be seen.
2. Slow down.
3. Don’t ride on the sidewalk. Riding on sidewalks can be a hazard to pedestrians as well.
THE RED LIGHT OF DEATH — You stop to the right of a car in front of you that’s also waiting at a red light or stop sign. If the car is turning right, the bicyclist is in danger of getting hit.
How to avoid:
1. Never stop in a motorist’s blind spot. Stop behind the car, instead of to its right. This also makes the bicycle more visible to motorists approaching from the rear.
THE DOOR PRIZE— A driver opens his door, creating a hazard for bicyclists.
How to avoid:
1. Ride to the left. A bicycle is more apt to be hit by a parked car door than a car approaching from behind. Being closer to the center of the road makes the bike more visible to motorists.
BICYCLISTS should use common hand signals to signal lane changes or turns. Motorists should learn these signals, too, and be aware of them when driving near bicyclists.
* A left arm extended straight out indicates intent to turn left.
* A left arm bent upward at the elbow, forming a right angle, signals intent of the bicyclist to turn right.
* A left arm, bent down at the elbow, indicates intent to stop.
For safety’s sake, use a headlight, taillight and wear a helmet.
