A List of Measures You Can Take to Prevent Yourself From Running Into Bike Traffic

There are few things more terrifying for a cyclist than getting hit from behind by a car. But there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of this occurring to you.

One simple but effective measure is to make it a habit of always looking over your shoulder before moving left. This is especially important when passing cars that are stopped or parked.

1. Wear a Helmet

A helmet is the most important piece of equipment you can wear when riding a bike. Head injuries are the most common type of bicycle accident injury, and a helmet can help protect your brain in the event of a crash.

Look over your shoulder before moving left, even just to pass a stopped car. Drivers may open their doors right into your path without seeing you. It’s also a good idea to wear reflective clothing at dawn and dusk, or when traveling through areas with poor lighting.

2. Wear a Visibility Vest

It is important to wear a vest while riding, especially in areas with low lighting. This will signal to other pedestrians and cyclists that you are visible. This will give them confidence that they can count on you to watch out for them.

When riding on fast roads, it is a good idea to practice the habit of constantly glancing over your shoulder. This will help you avoid getting run into by a car driver who was looking at something else but failed to see you.

3. Wear a Visibility Jersey

Every cyclist has a story about the time a driver failed to see them, leading to a close call or even a crash. Drivers are often distracted and fail to expect that a bike is in their blind spot.

One of the most common types of collisions occurs when a car turns right into you from a side street, driveway or parking lot. This is more common at night, when you’re harder to see. Ensure you’re visible by wearing bright clothing or a reflective vest. Also, ride far enough left that you won’t run into a door opened by another vehicle.

4. Wear a Visibility Helmet

Drivers who are turning right at intersections often don’t see a biker. This happens because they are looking for traffic on their left and the cars ahead and to the right when they turn.

It’s hard to anticipate how a car occupant will open their door, so it’s important for cyclists to leave space the size of an opening door when passing parked cars. A mirror on your helmet or handlebars can help you see this. You can also use a headlight. These are all simple and inexpensive measures.

5. Wear a Visibility Vest

While many cyclists assume that cars will see them, this is not always the case. Drivers often overlook cyclists, especially when they are on straight, continuing roads. They also tend to overestimate their own visibility at night.

When approaching an intersection, be sure to glance in your mirror well before turning. You should also avoid listening to music through headphones, since this can hinder your ability to hear screeching tires or a car’s horn. This may sound obvious, but it’s a crucial tip. Drivers who pull out without seeing you can easily hit you.

6. Wear a Visibility Jersey

A cyclist who is able to be seen by drivers is a safer one. This can be done by wearing bright-colored clothing and using lights on your bike, especially at night.

It’s best to avoid wearing headphones while cycling. Doing so can hinder your ability to hear the noises around you, which could make it harder to react quickly in a dangerous situation.

Many bicycle collisions are caused by motorists turning right in front of the rider. This can be avoided if the cyclist is careful not to hug the curb too tightly, and gives motorists space to see them.

7. Wear a Visibility Vest

If you ride your bike very close to the curb, cars turning left will probably miss you. They are looking for traffic in the middle of the road and cannot see you on the extreme edge of the lane. Move further left.

Never move left without looking behind you first, especially on fast roads. A mirror can help you avoid this mistake. You can get one that fits on your helmet, handlebars, or even your sunglasses. Make sure you use it, especially at night. It can really save your life.

8. Wear a Visibility Jersey

Every cyclist has a story of a time when a driver failed to see them, leading to a close call or crash. This type of collision is especially dangerous because it often occurs when the rider is not expecting a car to turn in front of them.

Look over your shoulder and signal before changing lanes or making a turn. Stay away from parked cars, and leave yourself plenty of space to avoid running into open doors. Consider wearing reflective clothing, especially when riding at night.

9. Wear a Visibility Vest

Motor vehicle drivers can be distracted, on the phone, intoxicated, or just reckless. This makes them more likely to ignore a bicyclist or miss him altogether.

Ride on roads that are extremely wide or have dedicated bike lanes, and obey roadway rules as if you were driving a car. Never pass a vehicle on the right. This makes you invisible to a driver making a left turn, and they may turn directly into you. Also, don’t ride two abreast unless allowed by the roadway. This is more visible to pedestrians.

10. Wear a Visibility Vest

It is a good idea to wear a reflective vest. It will help other road users see you, especially in low-light conditions or during bad weather.

Avoid listening to music through headphones when biking. This can prevent you from hearing approaching cars, which could cause you to swerve.

Be careful around parked vehicles and train tracks. Also, be mindful of other road hazards, such as loose gravel, potholes, drainage grates, and puddles that you can’t see through. Plan your route ahead of time to avoid these pitfalls.

Author: sonal gupta

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