Tips on Staying Visible When Cycling Alongside Heavy Traffic
If you are a cyclist, you are a member of a growing group who enjoy an economical, healthy, fun and environmentally-friendly form of transportation. Today, many people use cycling as their main form of transportation. You must be responsible for your own safety and stay proactive about your visibility when cycling alongside traffic. It can often be challenging for a driver to notice a cyclist because of the smaller size of a cyclist and his bicycle in comparison to the traditional passenger vehicle drivers are accustomed to watching for. Staying alert and making yourself visible are detrimental to your safety when you are out on the roads. Here are some ways to make sure you are more visible.
Fluorescent Clothing
The traditional colors just blend in to the landscaping and your surroundings. When you wear blue, green, black, brown, or even white you can just be camouflaged by things around you. Instead, you should deck yourself out in brighter fluorescent colors so you will be noticed. By wearing a jacket, vest or jersey that is hot pink, bright orange, lime green, or neon yellow, you are going to get much more attention.
Prominent Placement
Placing yourself prominently in the lane will also make you stand out. Ride in the center of your lane so cars will have to move to the other lane in order to pass you. When you ride at least four feet over in the lane, you are avoiding the doors of parked cars. After all, being doored is a real risk when passing parked vehicles. In the center of the lane, drivers have to see you and they are more likely to watch out for you.
Assume You Aren't Noticed
When cyclists assume they are noticed by drivers, they are setting themselves up for an accident. You should always stay alert and be attentive to your surroundings. When it is necessary, take defensive action to avoid a crash. Make sure you make eye contact with drivers at intersections so you can rest assured that they have seen you.
Wear A Helmet
Wear a helmet to reduce your risk of a serious head injury in the event of a crash. You can also brighten up your helmet with stickers and designs to make it stand out and be more personalized. You can use this to help make you more visible as well.
Night Visibility
If you are cycling before dawn or after dusk, you must take extra precautions. While traffic regulations require a white headlight and a red taillight that are visible for several hundred feet, those aren’t enough to get you noticed. Add reflectors to your bike. Reflectors should be placed on spokes, fenders, pedals, and anywhere else you can put them. Make sure you get a flashing LED light to place on you to help you stand out. Get some reflective tape and strategically place it on the front and back of your clothing. Pick up reflective bands for your ankles and wrists.
Ride Predictably
Ride in a predictable manner so drivers will notice you. This means don’t make sudden stops, turn without signaling, or swerve in and out of traffic or around cars. Don’t stop in the blind spot. Even if there is a bike lane, you don’t pull up at a traffic light or stop sign on the right-hand side of a vehicle. You are in the blind spot and especially larger vehicles might run into you or over you because you aren’t visible.
With the proper precautions in place, you can decrease your chances of a crash with a vehicle. Always take responsibility for your visibility and be alert when riding. With the right precautions in place, you can enjoy years of safe cycling. Regardless of whether you ride daily or just a couple of times a month, you should understand the importance of visibility and know what to do to make yourself stand out.
This article was provided by www.personalinjury-law.com, an organization dedicated to providing the public with information about personal injury and safety information. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, and it is intended for informational use only. Be sure to review your local cycling ordinances to ensure you ride safe and legally.
