Bike Safety
Bicycle safety is not just for kids, nor is just for cyclists.
Ensuring the safety of bicyclists requires a commitment from cyclists and motorists alike, as well as the City and the Police Department. Cyclists and motorists need to ride/drive safely, the City needs to plan for, design and engineer roadways that meet the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians, and the Police Department needs to ensure a safe environment for biking.
Here’s what you as a cyclist can do to improve your safety:
Ride on the Road: Although you may think you're safer riding on the sidewalk, you’re actually safer riding on the road. A number of studies have examined bike/car collisions & while the results have varied, each study has come to the same conclusion. It is safer to ride on the road than on the sidewalk. The reason is simple, motorists aren’t looking for bikes on sidewalks, if they’re looking for anything, they’re looking for pedestrians.
Be visible: Wear bright clothing, use headlights and tail lights at night, and ride where motorists will be watching for traffic.
Be predictable: You have the same legal rights and responsibilities as other vehicles on the road, and you will be safest if you behave in the same way as other road users.
Ride on the right: If you ride against the flow of traffic, then cars crossing your path will be looking in the opposite direction and will not see you.
Ride at least 3 feet from parked cars: Otherwise you risk a nasty crash if a car door opens suddenly in front of you.
Obey Traffic Rules: Practices such as running red lights or making left turns from the right edge of the road are dangerous and illegal.
Wear a helmet: They may look dorky and ruin your hair, but they can help prevent serious head injury if you are hit by a car or fall.
Study and practice safe cycling techniques: Think about how much practice it took you to learn to drive a car in traffic with confidence, and make a similar commitment to learning to cycle in traffic. John Allen's manual, Bicycling Street Smarts, is a good starting point. Also, the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society welcomes beginners to many of their rides, and the getDowntown program offers instruction by individuals who are certified by the League of American Cyclists.
Report bad encounters with motorists to the Police Department: If you are encountering unsafe motorist behavior, please report it to the police department. The police department can do “targeted enforcement” at bad intersections or along a bad section of the road, if they are aware that bicyclists are consistently encountering unsafe motorists. Let the getDowntown Program know as well, so we can serve as your advocate and use our contacts to help improve an area for cyclists.
Other Resources
