These days, there is a large number of bicyclists on the roads, mostly due to a struggling economy and continuous emphasis on reducing carbon dioxide output.
Since bicycles are considered to be moving vehicles, the riders will oftentimes ride directly on the road with cars and other motorized vehicles.
Many cities have not built bike-specific lanes, so these bicycles intermingle directly alongside much heavier, faster-moving automobiles.
Obviously, bicycle accidents involving other moving vehicles are likely to occur.
Why do these accidents happen? As is the case with most motor vehicle accidents, these incidents involving bicycles and other moving vehicles are resultant from a lack of care or attention from one or both of the involved parties.
In 2000, the Institute for Road Safety Research (SWOV) performed a study that indicated that 40% of all bicycle accidents involve other users of the roads -- cars, trucks, motorcycles, or even other bikes.
Typically, bike riders who opt to travel via the roads are very alert.
They realize that they are putting themselves in a dangerous situation, and therefore take extra special care when making turning, acceleration, and braking decisions.
Most people have the perception that incidents between bicyclists and cars are typically the driver's fault.
Operators of motor vehicles often times are not watching for smaller modes of transportation on the road, such as bikes.
The same study by SWOV showed that the majority of these accidents occur in urban area, and 65% of these particular incidents happen at intersections.
This indicates that many motorists may fail to see cyclists when making a turn -- a maneuver that limits vision and during which motor vehicle drivers are watching for larger objects, like cars.
What can I do to prevent these incidents from occurring? As a cyclist, there are several steps that you can take in order to lessen the number of these accidents that occur on the roads.
First, it is important to ensure that you have properly-mounted, decently bright lights on the bike while riding at night.
Reflectors on the front and back of the bike also make a large difference in being noticed during the daylight hours.
Wear bright, noticeable clothing.
And, as mentioned above, it is very important that cyclists exhibit constant watchfulness when joining the motorized traffic on roads.
As a driver, be aware of the fact that bicyclists do have a right to the road as well, and no matter what the area, they might choose to utilize this right.
Make sure to watch for objects in motion, no matter what size.
Cyclists may be moving faster than they seem, so it is always wise to err on the side of caution when yielding to their presence.
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