Bicycle Accident Prevention Avoiding the 12 Most Common Types of Bicycle/Vehicle Accidents

01

Drive out at controlled intersection

What Happens

Motorist and bicycle collide even though bicyclist had the right of way.

75% of collisions happen because bicyclist missed stop sign these type of accidents occur in the 10-19 age demographic
How to Avoid

motorist should

  • slow down as they come up to intersections
  • look carefully for traffic or cyclist
  • check out for signs (i.e. stop, yield)
  • pay attention to traffic lights

bicyclist should

  • slow down as they come up to intersections
  • look carefully for traffic or cyclist
  • check out for signs (i.e. stop, yield)
  • pay attention to traffic lights

02

Motorist Overtaking Bicyclist

What Happens

Car gets too close and sideswipes bicyclist causing them to overcorrect the bike to avoid getting hit by vehicle.

accounts for 8.6% of crashes
How to Avoid

motorist should

  • enforce the 3 feet passing law which means the vehicle is no less than 3 feet safely past the overtaken bicycle
  • be on alert for bicyclist

bicyclist should

  • avoid riding in narrow rural roads after dark
  • should carry a rear reflector

03

Dooring - The Door Zone

What Happens

A driver opens their door in front of bicyclist and the bike can’t stop in time. The bicyclist is either knocked down, knocked into or forced to swerve into traffic, often being struck or runover by another vehicle.

How to Avoid

motorist should

  • open their side door with right hand (it forces you to look back)
  • don't fling door open
  • don’t leave door wide open (close it as quickly as possible)

bicyclist should

  • ride on the far left aprox.4 feet away from car
  • use your mirror to check for traffic behind you in case you have to swerve
  • peek inside parked cars to make sure they are empty

04

Motorist Left Turn Into Oncoming Bicyclist

What Happens

Car coming towards bicyclist makes a left turn right in front or right into the bike.

accounts for 5.9% of accidents
How to Avoid

motorist should

  • be prepared to lookout for bicyclist in your blindspot

bicyclist should

  • not ride on sidewalk or pass on the right because you become invisible to motorist
  • wear reflective bright colors (i.e. yellow, orange) day or night
  • use front headlight while riding in the dark
  • go at a speed where you are able to make a complete stop if you have to

05

Motorist Right Turn Into Path of Cyclist

What Happens

Car passes bicyclist and then tries to make a right turn directly in front or right into the bike.

accounts for 4.7% of accidents
How to Avoid

motorist should

  • be prepared to lookout for bicyclist in your blindspot

bicyclist should

  • glance in your mirror when approaching intersection
  • take a whole lane on the left
  • do not ride on the sidewalk

06

Motorist Right Turn at Red Light

What Happens

Bicyclist stops at a red light on the right of stopped vehicle; when the light turns green bicyclist moves forward and the car drives right into the bike.

80% of accidents occur during daylight
How to Avoid

motorist should

  • avoid excess speed
  • always assume there are oncoming bicyclist

bicyclist should

  • not stop side by side to the car (considered blindspot)
  • stop in front of the car if on the right
  • stop in back of the car
  • never assume motorist will signal
  • always be aware of unexpected turns

07

Bicyclist Ride Out At Driveway

What Happens

Bicyclist enters the roadway out of a driveway or an alley and has little to no time to stop or avoid vehicle coming straight for bike.

1 in 5 crashes involve vision obstruction from motorist 55% of accidents involve children 10 & under
How to Avoid

motorist should

  • always go at a slow speed
  • look left & right for traffic

bicyclist should

  • always go at a slow speed
  • look left & right for traffic

08

Bicyclist Ride Out at Controlled Intersection

What Happens

The bicyclist proceeds to cross the intersection before it is safe and collides with oncoming motorist.

62% of accidents are caused by bicyclist ignoring stop sign 34% not paying attention to traffic signalsmost common demographics to be involved in this type of accident were children under 15 and seniors over 65
How to Avoid

motorist should

  • yield when needed
  • stop to look at all signs
  • watch our for left & right traffic

bicyclist should

  • yield when needed
  • stop to look at all signs
  • watch our for left & right traffic

09

Wrong Way Bicyclist

What Happens

Bicyclist rides the wrong way of oncoming traffic and is struck by motorist.

riding the wrong way is 3X more dangerous than riding the right way & for kids it is 7X dangerous.
How to Avoid

motorist should

  • try and swerve if possible to avoid impact

bicyclist should

  • ride in the same direction as traffic always

10

Drive out at Midblock

What Happens

Bicyclist rides out into enters the roadway from a driveway, alley or curb without slowing, stopping, or looking for traffic and is hit by a passing car.

20% of accidents cause fatal injuries
How to Avoid

motorist should

  • gage speed of motorist
  • go at a moderate speed where it’s possible to come to a complete stop if needed
  • lookout for traffic

bicyclist should

  • gage speed of motorist
  • go at a moderate speed where it’s possible to come to a complete stop if needed
  • lookout for traffic

11

Unexpected Left Turn by Bicyclist

What Happens

Bicyclist make a left-hand turn without looking to the rear or signaling and and collides with an overtaking motor vehicle.

These accidents account for nearly 5.1 percent of all crashes with motor vehicles.
How to Avoid

bicyclist should

  • scan for traffic to the rear
  • signal when turning
  • do not wear headphones as it impairs sound of vehicles approaching
  • recognize roads hazards to be able to respond appropriately
  • take up entire lane

12

Sidewalk to Crosswalk

What Happens

Bicyclist is riding on sidewalk and rides out onto the crosswalk where he or she is struck by a vehicle.

The crash rate per mile is 1.8 times higher for bicyclists riding on the sidewalk than the rate of riding on adjacent roadways.
How to Avoid

motorist should

  • scan for both pedestrians and cyclists at all intersections.

bicyclist should

  • avoid riding on the sidewalks. Not only is it illegal in many cities, it’s downright dangerous. When you come of the sidewalk into the street or a crosswalk you are nearly invisible to motorists.
  • if you must ride on the sidewalk, be sure to stop and look for traffic before you enter a crosswalk or the street.