But this number is likely to increase as gas prices continue to skyrocket. Across the country, bicycle shops have seen a dramatic spike in business as thousands of Americans are parking their cars and taking up cycling as a cheap, healthy, alternative mode of transportation.
Still, many Americans remain reluctant to become bicycle commuters because of a belief that cycling, especially on the road, is dangerous. That's not the case. Consider the following statistics:
The number of cyclists killed in the U.S. in 2000 was: 693. --Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
The number of people killed in automobile crashes on the highway in 2000: 41,945. --United Justice.com.
Furthermore, the most common types of car/bike accidents are preventable. Statistics compiled in the Crash-Type Manual for Bicyclists, by Carol Tan, show that the top two types of accidents occur:
- When a bicyclist pulls out of a driveway in front of an on-coming vehicle.
- When a bicyclist makes a left turn in front of a vehicle.
Simply taking a little more time to look for cars before pulling out or turning can save a cyclist's life. How Not to Get Hit by a Car, by Michael Bluejay is a great resource containing a list of the most common bicycle versus car accidents and how to avoid them.
Bicycle Safety Tips:
- Ride a well-maintained bicycle.
- Always wear a helmet.
- Use a side view mirror or a helmet mirror.
- Follow all vehicle traffic laws.
- Always use hand signals.
- Do not ride on the sidewalk. Statistics show sidewalk riding increases a cyclist's risk of death by two to four times.
- Slow down for intersections and watch for vehicles pulling out of driveways and side streets.
- Ride far enough away from parked cars so as not to get "doored."
- When riding through any intersection, always make eye contact with all drivers in or near the intersection to ensure they have seen you. When in doubt, SHOUT.
- Wear bright, reflective clothing.
- When riding at night, always use a red taillight and a bright headlight.
Group Riding:
- NEVER take up an entire lane or block traffic.
- When riding on the road and in traffic, ALWAYS ride single file and obey all traffic laws.
When riding in a bicycle lane, it is legal to ride double (in most states), however, both riders should stay entirely in the bicycle lane and have plenty of room to maneuver around potential obstacles. Also, it's important to be considerate of other riders who may want to pass and should be able to do so without having to leave the bicycle lane.
NEVER rely on other riders to tell you when an intersection is safe to cross. An intersection may be clear when the first rider goes through it, but it may not be clear by the time you get there. Slow down or stop and look both directions before crossing.
- Pay attention.
- Never ride directly behind another rider. Stagger yourself.
- Point out obstacles to other riders in the group.
- Use hand signals to signal other riders when you want to stop or turn.
Build Confidence
The best way to overcome any fears of riding a bicycle on the road is to attend a bicycle safety class, which are offered at local bicycle shops, retailers such as REI, and city and county parks and recreation departments. Bicycling is extremely safe provided cyclists obey traffic rules and always pay attention.
For more information on how to become a bicycle commuter, check out Tips for Commuting by Bicycle.
