How to Not Get Hit by Cars

Bike safe logo Source: Bicyclesafe.com Note, this refers to American roads, thus riding on the right-hand side

This page shows you real ways you can get hit and real ways to avoid getting hit

This is a far cry from normal bicycle safety guides, which usually tell you little more than to wear your helmet and to follow the law. But consider this for a moment: Wearing a helmet will do absolutely nothing to prevent you from getting hit by a car. Sure, helmets might help you if you get hit, but your #1 goal should be to avoid getting hit in the first place. Plenty of cyclists are killed by carseven though they were wearing helmets. Ironically, if they had ridden without helmets, yet followed the guidelines listed below, they might still be alive today. Don't fall for the myth that wearing a helmet is the first and last word in biking safety. In truth, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It's better to not get hit. That's what real bicycle safety is about.

The next most common bike safety advice after "wear a helmet" is "follow the law," but most people are already aware that it's stupid to race through a red light when there's cross traffic. So the "follow the law" advice isn't that helpful because it's too obvious. What you'll find here are several scenarios that maybe aren't that obvious.

The other problem with the "follow the law" message is that people may think
that's all they need to do. But following the law is not enough to keep you safe, not by a long shot. Here's an example: The law tells you to ride as far to the right as is practicable. But if you ride too far to the right, someone exiting a parked car could open their door right in front of you, and you'll be less visible to motorists pulling out of driveways and parking lots, and motorists coming from behind may pass you way too closely in the same lane because you didn't make them change lanes. In each of these cases you were following the law, but could still have been hit. This page doesn't focus on the law, it focuses on how to not get hit by cars. Now let's see how to do so. 
 
More here.

Comments

Submitted by Mary Solero on 17 July, 2023 - 14:00

Plenty of cyclists are killed by carseven though they were wearing helmets. wedding photo booth rental charlotte nc              www.evansvilleconcretepros.com/

Submitted by Mary Solero on 28 September, 2023 - 19:18

Don't fall for the myth that wearing a helmet is the first and last word in biking safety. Bradford Benefits of Spray Foam   pressure washing Jackson MS commercial cleaning

Submitted by GinnyMiller on 5 January, 2024 - 12:54

The passage you provided emphasizes a crucial perspective on bicycle safety, moving beyond the common advice of simply wearing a helmet and following traffic laws. It underscores the importance of proactive measures to avoid potential accidents with cars. Commercial general contractors Cincinnati

Submitted by Mary Solero on 11 January, 2024 - 18:44

The law tells you to ride as far to the right as is practicable. stump removal hamiltonphoto booth rental