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| In accidents involving collision of motor vehicles with bicycles, the motorist is usually found to be at fault. There are several reasons: poor judgment, inattention, aggression, ignorance, or downright stupidity. Most motorists' errors fall into one of two general categories: unsafe passing and failure to yield. However, many inexperienced cyclists are no less dangerous: they either don't know traffic laws or mistakenly believe those laws don't apply to them. Neophyte cyclists make a variety of errors; but the one that causes the most accidents is riding on the wrong side of the roadway, in the direction opposing other vehicular traffic. | ||
| DUMB THINGS CYCLISTS DO | DUMB THINGS MOTORISTS DO | |
| Riding on a public road
without a properly fitting and secured helmet.
(suicidal stupidity) #1 CONTRIBUTNG FACTOR IN BIKE FATALITIES! |
Passing a cyclist with the intent to turn right immediately afterward. (failure to allow assured clear distance) | |
| Riding on the wrong side of
the roadway, against the normal flow of vehicular
traffic. (illegal operation left of center) #1 CYCLIST VIOLATION IN BIKE-CAR ACCIDENTS! |
Turning left in front of a cyclist entering the intersection from the opposite direction. (failure to yield to oncoming traffic) | |
| Failing to observe traffic laws, signs, and lights. (illegal operation) | Passing a cyclist without adequate time or distance to allow for the bicycle's forward movement. (passing when unsafe) | |
| Weaving between the traffic lane and the parking lane or shoulder. (erratic and reckless operation) | "Threading the needle," attempting to squeeze past a cyclist in the same lane when there is traffic in the adjacent lane. (failure to allow assured clear distance) | |
| Riding too close to the edge of the lane or pavement. (no room to maneuver in case of emergency or crosswind) | Attempting to startle or threaten a cyclist by shouting or blasting the horn. (great way to get sued) | |
| Riding without lights in rain, fog, or after dark. (illegal operation) | Pulling out from a stop sign into the path of an approaching cyclist. (failure to yield right of way) | |
| Going straight or turning left from a right-turn lane. (improper maneuvering) | Passing a cyclist on a blind curve or when cresting a hill. (passing when unsafe) | |
| Turning or changing lanes without signaling. (failure to signal intent) | Crowding a cyclist into less than half the width of his lane. (failure to yield right of way) | |
| Riding over 10 mph on a pedestrian walk. (reckless operation) | Tailgating a cyclist. (failure to allow assured clear distance) | |
| Bicycles are considered
vehicles by law in all states. Bicyclists are
expected to operate their vehicles upon the vehicular
roadway except where specifically prohibited. As legal
users of public streets and roads, bicyclists are
required to know and obey all applicable traffic laws,
and are accorded the same rights as operators of other
vehicles. In altercations between bicycles and motor vehicles, most cyclists' mistakes have to do with negligent or deliberate violation of traffic law, while most motorists' mistakes involve improper passing or failure to yield right of way. |
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