1. A Ten-Minute Training Topic Presentation
Driving Near Bicycles
A Ten-Minute Training Topic Presentation

2. Statistics
“A total of 741 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles.
84 percent of bicyclist deaths were age 20 or older.
Deaths among bicyclists younger than 20 have declined 86 percent since 1975, while deaths among bicyclists 20 and older have increased 195 percent.”
(IIHS, Fatality Facts 2015)

3. Statistics
“Bicyclist deaths are highest during the months of June, August and September and tend to peak during the hours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
68 percent of bicyclists were killed in urban areas, compared with 32 percent in rural areas.”
(IIHS, Fatality Facts 2015)

4. Introduction
While bicycle riders are subject to the same rules as motor vehicle operators, it can be a challenge to drive safely near cyclists.
Why?

5. Introduction
Riders present a very small target to notice – the mass of person on a bike is much smaller than another car or truck, and even smaller than a rider on a motorcycle.
Because of this factor many motor vehicle operators come upon them suddenly, with a great difference in speed and very little time to react.

6. Introduction
As motor vehicle operators we need to anticipate encountering cyclists on the road at any time of day or evening.
This should be part of our “defensive driving” plan…to constantly update a safe escape route in case of a surprise in our travel lane.
If we have a place to go (other than overtaking the cyclist and hitting them) we are a little better prepared than having no escape route at all.

7. Introduction
While it would be easy to write an article about what riders can do to increase their visibility (and many such articles already exist on the internet), we must make time to think about our responsibility to prevent crashes as operators of larger and faster, motorized vehicles.

8. Consequences?
The consequences of hitting a cyclist include the obvious (the pain and suffering of striking a relatively unprotected rider) to the less obvious (carrying the emotional stress and trauma of the event for a long time following the crash).

9. Consequences?
Hitting a cyclist (like a pedestrian) is a very personal and traumatic event.
You will need to talk to the injured rider while waiting for an ambulance or the police to show up and you may see them again in court if litigation follows the event.
It is far better to avoid any crashes, don’t you think?

10. Contributing Factors
There are a number of reasons why motor vehicles and cyclists collide.
As noted in the introduction, the visibility of the rider is one issue.
Not expecting to encounter cyclists and not having a plan to avoid a collision are other factors.

11. Contributing Factors Inexperience:
drivers with less experience are more likely to be unable to adequately and consistently judge their clearances when making turns or navigating through tight areas such as alleys or along rows of parked cars.
Add a difficult to see cyclist and it can be a recipe for disaster – the inexperienced (nervous) driver may overcompensate and bump the rider or drift into the rider, especially if the rider ends up in a blind zone.

12. Contributing Factors Inattention:
distraction plays a very large role in most crashes, and it’s a very common contributing factor in both pedestrian and cyclist crashes.
Sometimes the pedestrian or cyclist themselves are on the phone and looking away!

13. Contributing Factors Inadequate illumination or vision:
collisions at dusk/dawn or during nighttime hours are common due to the inability to spot and recognize the other operator.
About 21% of all cyclist collisions occur between 8 PM and Midnight.

14. Contributing Factors Impairment:
Slightly less than a third of cyclists killed in their collision had positive Blood Alcohol Content readings of 0.08 (legally intoxicated) following their crash.

15. Contributing Factors Intersections:
A great share of collisions with motor vehicles occur at intersections and roundabouts (45% of the total).
Some key factors include:
the motor vehicle driver’s inability to accurately judge the speed of the cyclist (bad timing on crossing each other’s path);
either party failing to follow the proper rules of the road for intersections or roundabouts;
cross traffic (left turn) maneuvers,
right hand turn squeeze plays, and
simple aggressive behavior (“I’m going first!”).

16. Tips to avoid cyclists?
Leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist – if you’re not sure you’ll have adequate clearance, don’t pass – wait for an appropriate opportunity.

17. Tips to avoid cyclists?
Clean windows and test headlights (and any auxiliary lighting) before setting out on a trip. It’s important to be able to see around your vehicle in all types of lighting conditions.

18. Tips to avoid cyclists?
Adjust mirrors before leaving to minimize your blind areas. Note your blind areas so that you will know when you need to get out and look instead of trusting mirrors alone.
Expect to encounter cyclists everywhere your normally drive a motorized vehicle. Cycling is popular as an alternative to commuting and for athletic exercise.

19. Tips to avoid cyclists?
At intersections where you plan to turn, use signals early and check your blind areas before moving.
Also take care in estimating the closing speed of cyclists who are approaching – if you mistake their speed they may enter the intersection at the same time as when you execute your turn!

20. Tips to avoid cyclists?
Slow down and adjust your cruising speed between dusk and dawn.
It can be hard to see during the transition from daylight to darkness – contrast is lost and it’s harder to distinguish detail.
At night, you can only see what is directly illuminated by streetlights and your own vehicle’s head lights.
Speed robs you of reaction time during these conditions.

21. Tips to avoid cyclists?
Eliminate distractions – keep your focus solely on the road.
Whenever possible, park to avoid any back up moves.
If you must back up, take extra time to look around the vehicle while backing up.
It is difficult to avoid fixed objects when pulling forward – doubly difficult when backing up!

22. Summary
Striking a cyclist is very scary and very personal event that can be avoided with basic precautions and a heightened sense of vigilance.

23. Summary
Remember to slow down, be alert and increase your visual scanning of everything going on around your vehicle.

24. Summary
Cyclists are hard to see, and it can be very difficult to judge their relative speed when approaching intersections.

25. Summary
Urban areas, especially at intersections, are the places where you are most likely to encounter cyclists of all ages, but you may find them on any road at any time!

26. Summary Traffic Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility.
Both cyclists/riders and operators of cars/trucks need to make time to drive with care and exhibit courtesy towards each other.
Traffic Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility.

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