Riding a bicycle is an incredibly fun activity and a perfect low-impact aerobic exercise for all ages as it offers several short and long-term health benefits. Whether you do it for leisure, ride to school, work, or the grocery store, this enjoyable activity is an easy fit into your daily routine and an environmentally friendly way to commute.

With that said, riding a bike does not come without its perils. While it is not inherently dangerous, cycling-related injuries and fatalities are commonplace in the United States.

However, do not let that discourage you! Cycling is only as risky as you make it. Armed with the understanding of how bicycling accidents occur and what you can do to prevent them will help you avoid being a victim to one. Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of bicycle accidents and how you can enjoy safe rides.

Some Statistics

Nearly 700 cyclists were killed in accidents on U.S. roads in 2020, with most of the crashes occurring with motor vehicles. With 871 bicyclist fatalities, 2018 recorded the highest death count since 1988. Thousands of others suffer debilitating injuries each year, leading to permanent disability. As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bicycle accident deaths make up 2 percent of traffic-related fatalities.

Most Common Causes 

Bicycle accidents most commonly occur due to collisions with motorized vehicles or falls. The resulting injuries can be severe and extremely expensive to treat. Any financial woes will only magnify the pain and suffering that come with such as traumatic experience.

Accordingly, it is pertinent to mention that if you are ever involved in a bicycle accident and suffer a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, claiming compensation for your losses should be an essential part of the recovery process.

Distracted Driving

One of the significant contributing factors to fatal collisions involving bicycles is distracted driving. Cell phone use is a prime example of such poor behavior while behind the wheel. Other common forms include conversing with passengers, grooming, eating/drinking, or adjusting vehicle features like the radio or AC.

Distracted driving takes the driver’s mind and attention away from the road, and it is only a matter of a split second until disaster strikes.

Poor Road Conditions

 Potholes, bumpy roads, poor lighting, and sand and gravel all create safety hazards for cyclists. Due to their lightweight, cycles can lose balance easily, resulting in serious accidents and injuries.

Rider Error

 Cyclists are often responsible for critical errors or engaging in behaviors that result in dangerous accidents by falling off the bike. That includes not remaining alert and colliding with fixed objects like street signs, poles, parked cars, or road construction materials. Besides, poor seat adjustment and braking too hard on a corner can also result in losing control of the bike and causing an accident.

Speeding/Reckless Driving

It is common knowledge that speeding and driving with little regard to traffic rules is one of the leading causes of accidents. Speeding makes it difficult to control the vehicle and come to a complete stop. That can have severe consequences, especially for cyclists.

Failure to Yield

There are various locations on the road where vehicle drivers are obliged to yield onto oncoming traffic, including bicycles. These most commonly include intersections or any other junction where bicycle paths and motor vehicle paths meet.

Not giving the right of way often leads to fatal accidents. More than half of all vehicle and bicycle collisions take place at intersections.

Vehicle Turning Into the Cyclist’s Path 

This is where a driver overtakes a cyclist to turn and suddenly slows down, bringing the vehicle directly into the cyclist’s path. In almost all such scenarios, drivers assume that there would be enough space and time for the rider to slow down and avoid colliding with them.

Right Hook and Left Hook Accidents

These occur when a vehicle and cyclist are riding in the same lane, and the driver fails to spot the cyclist when turning or changing lanes, especially at high speeds, resulting in a collision.

Effective Preventive Measures

While cyclists possess the same rights and privileges as those driving motorize vehicles, it is common knowledge that many drivers view cyclists as second-class citizens. Cyclists are at a natural disadvantage to motor vehicles on the road because of their size and lack of protection, and drivers routinely put them in dangerous scenarios.

Accordingly, they must exercise some vital safety precautions to keep out of harm’s way. They are as follows:

Ride Defensively

Riding your bicycle defensively involves being alert of your surroundings at all times and expecting the unexpected. Always assume that you are invisible to drivers in other vehicles. That means taking extra few seconds to cross traffic even if you have the right-of-way.

Maintain a safe distance between your bicycle and other vehicles sharing the road with you. Avoid blind spots of vehicles and keep a careful watch over any hazards and other objects on the road which may cause you to lose control of the bicycle.

Wear a Helmet

No matter how cautious you are, there is always some risk when you are out on the road due to others’ negligence. While a helmet may not prevent an accident from taking place, it can go a long way in saving your life and reducing the severity, or entirely preventing traumatic brain injuries.

Make Yourself Visible

You must take extra measures to enhance your visibility on the road after sunset, such as by wearing bright clothing and using reflectors and lights that other road users can see from a distance.

Make Eye Contact and Use Hand Signals

Where possible, communicate your intentions with other drivers by using hand signals and making eye contact at intersections and other important junctions. That informs the driver what move you are about to make, helping avoid accidents and injuries.

Obey Traffic Rules

The law treats cyclists the same as motorists, so you must follow all rules of the road. Ride in the direction of traffic, do not jump through red lights and ride on a bike trail or dedicated path for cyclists when possible.

From riding for pleasure to commuting to run errands, cycling is becoming an increasingly popular mode of getting about. On the flip side, it is not without its fair share of disadvantages. As a cyclist, you are at a greater risk of crash-related injury and death than those in motor vehicles as there are no barriers to offer protection from physical harm. That means you have an elevated responsibility of avoiding dangerous riding errors on your part while keeping a careful watch on others’ negligence.

While there is no sure shot way to avoid a crash, bicycle accidents are easily preventable. A defensive approach that prioritizes bicycle safety and using some preventive techniques can significantly reduce the risks of going through the horrific experience of a bicycle accident.