While there is a lot of animosity toward cyclists from some quarters, most drivers are reasonable people and the last thing they would want to do is hurt another road user, be that a cyclist or anyone else.
One complaint you sometimes hear from drivers is that cyclists are hard to see. Another is that some cyclists ride irresponsibly. As we will see, the two are sometimes connected. Nevertheless, improving safety relies on both parties doing their bit.
What can drivers do?
Drivers can do one very obvious thing to increase the chance they spot cyclists. They can stay focused on the road. Their failure to do that is often a factor in crashes of all sorts.
Another thing drivers can do is to remember to look out for cyclists. That means checking their mirrors sufficiently as well as looking in front and to the sides. Anticipating where cyclists are likely to be also helps. For example, you may see more cyclists on the roads on sunny weekends or near schools and coffee shops than you do at other times and places.
What can cyclists do?
Cyclists can also take steps to aid their visibility. Bright or reflective elements can help, be that clothing, stickers on the bicycle or luggage. Lights are also important. Careful road positioning can aid visibility. For example, avoiding riding in the shadow cast on the edge of a particular stretch of road or avoiding sitting between taller vehicles.
Riding predictably is also key to being seen. That means not switching lanes without warning, not cutting up on the wrong side to overtake in heavy traffic and so forth.
While cyclist safety should be a joint effort (and one that involves town planners, too), it’s important to remember who the most vulnerable party is here. Drivers who injure cyclists through a moment’s carelessness or negligence should expect to he held responsible. Injured cyclists may want experienced legal help to best protect their interests.