3 Tips To Allow Drivers To Be More Cautious Of Bikes On The Road
With the United States Census Bureau reporting that the number of bike commuters doubling from 2006 to 2014, it is important vehicle drivers, as well as bicyclers, learn how to be more cautious of one another while out on the road. Otherwise, it can lead to unfortunate, and dangerous, situations for both individuals. This article will focus on several different tips that will teach vehicle drivers on how to more safely and better share the road with bike commuters.
Tip #1: Realize That They're Allowed to Be There
One of the main problems vehicle drivers have with bicyclists is that they don't understand that they have a right to be on the street or highway. However, bicyclists have the exact same right as you do as a driver behind the wheel of a car, SUV, truck or van. In addition, they are required to follow the exact same laws as you are. So, try to treat them the respect they deserve when they are riding beside you on the road.
Tip #2: Educate Yourself on Biking Hand Signals
Have you ever seen the hand movements that bicyclists use when they are riding? You've probably thought that they have lost their mind, but they are actually trying to communicate with you regarding their next move. If you are unfamiliar with them, you may want to take some time to learn them. There are many hand signals that bicyclists use, so you may want to focus on the most common ones. These signals include turning, changing lanes, slowing down, stopping, etc.
Tip #3: Allow Adequate Space When Passing
There will come a time when you need to pass a bicyclist on the road. To help prevent a collision, you need to make sure there is plenty of space between your vehicle and the bicyclist when making the pass. When passing, consider the bicyclist as a driver in another vehicle. Therefore, do not make the pass until you have room to move over in the other lane. This ensures you are nowhere near the bicyclists when making the pass.
The aforementioned tips can really help prevent an unnecessary collision between drivers and bicyclists and ensure that the road can be shared between the two safely. This ensures that everyone can enjoy the road together and have a pleasurable ride. In the event that a collision does occur, make sure to have your insurance information on-hand and call the police, after checking to ensure that everyone involved is alright. Contact a company, like Allstar Insurance, for more help.