How to Share the Road With Cyclists
Look for bike traffic., Yield to cyclists on sidewalks., Use caution around kids on sidewalks., Respect cyclists in the middle of the lane., Pass safely., Execute safe right hand turns., Be careful at stop signs., Be safe when performing left hand...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look for bike traffic.
The first step to sharing the road with a cyclist is to know that they're there.
When you are backing up, look for someone of a bike.
When passing another car, look for a bicycle.
They have a right to be on the road, so look for them. -
Step 2: Yield to cyclists on sidewalks.
If a cyclist is on the sidewalk, be careful.
Before you pull out of an ally, driveway, or parking lot; yield to a cyclist on the sidewalk. , Kids really are unpredictable.
Especially kids who are learning to ride a bike.
They may swerve out into traffic, try to pop a wheelie, fall, or a number of other unexpected things.
Drive slowly, and be prepared to stop! , Why would a cyclist be in the middle of the lane? Aren't they supposed to stay to the side? Yes, but there may be hazards on their part of the road.
Broken glass, construction barricades, parked cars, pile of dirt or leaves; all these things that motorists don't have to worry about, will make cyclists get into the middle of the lane.
Don't follow them too closely, and watch for hazards on the side of the road.
If a cyclists needs to get into the lane to avoid these dangers, or make a left-hand turn, let them do so. , When passing a bike, you have to keep at least three feet in between your car and the cyclist.
When moving at high speeds, slow down and give them more room when you pass.
The wind draft off of your vehicle can suck them towards you.
One more situation where a bike needs more room would be going up a hill.
Cyclists have to pump harder to get up a hill, and this usually means the bike rocks back-and-forth a little.
Give them more than three feet. , Don't cut in front of bikes.
Sometimes, when cars want to make a right turn, they speed up to get in front of the bike, only to hit the brakes when they turn.
Be patient.
Slow down, wait for the bike to pass, and then make the turn. , When a car stops at a four-way stop, they usually look for other cars.
However, cyclists have just as much right to use the road as a car.
If the bike came to the intersection first, it gets to go first.
If it's on the right, and both the car and the bike arrived at the same time, the cyclist has the right of way. , Again, patience is key.
Bikes are smaller and thus are harder to spot.
Before you make a left-hand turn, scan the area closely for cars and bikes.
Also, because they are smaller they look farther away, and most motorists think cyclists move fairly slowly. (However, bikes can easily be traveling at 25–30 mph (40–48 km/h).) So be patient, and be careful when judging the distance and speed of oncoming bikes. , Because bikes are smaller, they are harder to see than a car.
Blind spots can completely hide a bike.
Make sure you check over your shoulder for bikes in particular, before turning, passing, or merging. , Would you believe that some of the worst car-bike incidents are conflicts between cyclists and car doors? It's true.
Many cyclists are injured each year by either having a car door hit their bike from the side, from behind, or by running into it as it's opened.
Look for cyclists before you open the door. -
Step 3: Use caution around kids on sidewalks.
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Step 4: Respect cyclists in the middle of the lane.
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Step 5: Pass safely.
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Step 6: Execute safe right hand turns.
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Step 7: Be careful at stop signs.
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Step 8: Be safe when performing left hand turns.
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Step 9: Watch for bikes in your blind spots.
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Step 10: Open car doors with caution.
Detailed Guide
The first step to sharing the road with a cyclist is to know that they're there.
When you are backing up, look for someone of a bike.
When passing another car, look for a bicycle.
They have a right to be on the road, so look for them.
If a cyclist is on the sidewalk, be careful.
Before you pull out of an ally, driveway, or parking lot; yield to a cyclist on the sidewalk. , Kids really are unpredictable.
Especially kids who are learning to ride a bike.
They may swerve out into traffic, try to pop a wheelie, fall, or a number of other unexpected things.
Drive slowly, and be prepared to stop! , Why would a cyclist be in the middle of the lane? Aren't they supposed to stay to the side? Yes, but there may be hazards on their part of the road.
Broken glass, construction barricades, parked cars, pile of dirt or leaves; all these things that motorists don't have to worry about, will make cyclists get into the middle of the lane.
Don't follow them too closely, and watch for hazards on the side of the road.
If a cyclists needs to get into the lane to avoid these dangers, or make a left-hand turn, let them do so. , When passing a bike, you have to keep at least three feet in between your car and the cyclist.
When moving at high speeds, slow down and give them more room when you pass.
The wind draft off of your vehicle can suck them towards you.
One more situation where a bike needs more room would be going up a hill.
Cyclists have to pump harder to get up a hill, and this usually means the bike rocks back-and-forth a little.
Give them more than three feet. , Don't cut in front of bikes.
Sometimes, when cars want to make a right turn, they speed up to get in front of the bike, only to hit the brakes when they turn.
Be patient.
Slow down, wait for the bike to pass, and then make the turn. , When a car stops at a four-way stop, they usually look for other cars.
However, cyclists have just as much right to use the road as a car.
If the bike came to the intersection first, it gets to go first.
If it's on the right, and both the car and the bike arrived at the same time, the cyclist has the right of way. , Again, patience is key.
Bikes are smaller and thus are harder to spot.
Before you make a left-hand turn, scan the area closely for cars and bikes.
Also, because they are smaller they look farther away, and most motorists think cyclists move fairly slowly. (However, bikes can easily be traveling at 25–30 mph (40–48 km/h).) So be patient, and be careful when judging the distance and speed of oncoming bikes. , Because bikes are smaller, they are harder to see than a car.
Blind spots can completely hide a bike.
Make sure you check over your shoulder for bikes in particular, before turning, passing, or merging. , Would you believe that some of the worst car-bike incidents are conflicts between cyclists and car doors? It's true.
Many cyclists are injured each year by either having a car door hit their bike from the side, from behind, or by running into it as it's opened.
Look for cyclists before you open the door.
About the Author
Laura Jimenez
Creates helpful guides on creative arts to inspire and educate readers.
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