5 Common Causes of Bike Crashes And How to Avoid Them Summer means many people throughout Massachusetts will take the opportunity to get out on their bikes and ride. If you’re one of these people, then you need to be aware and safe while on your bike. You don’t have the same protection you would have in a car, so accidents can become much more serious. Here are five common causes of bike crashes in Massachusetts and how to avoid them. The Right Pull Out Crash This accident occurs when a driver pulls onto the road to make a right turn without seeing an oncoming cyclist. To avoid this accident, make yourself as visible as possible. Wear bright-colored clothing and utilize lights. Always try to slow down before entering an intersection. The Right Hook Bicycle Crash This is one of the deadliest accidents involving cyclists that we see in our office. It happens when a car passes a cyclist on their left and then makes a right-hand turn in front of the cyclist. To reduce the risk of being involved in this type of accident, ride on the far left of the bike lane to make cars more aware of your presence. This will also leave you more room to swerve if a car does cut you off. Getting ‘Doored’ Getting “doored” happens when a parked driver opens their driver’s side door right as a cyclist approaches. In serious cases, the cyclist will run into the door and fly over their handlebars and the door, causing them to land on the road. There’s not much you can do as a cyclist to avoid this accident other than riding on the far left of the bike lane. Rear-End Bicycle Crash This accident occurs when a car rear-ends a bike. To avoid this type of accident, you need to be as visible as possible. It might seem safer to ride on the right side of the bike lane, but you’ll be more visible on the left side. The Left Cross Collision This accident happens when a cyclist is riding straight through an intersection and a car driving in the opposite direction takes a left turn. The best way to prevent this accident is to slow down or stop at all intersections.
Share the Roa As we mentioned on Page 2, cyclists have to pay attention to the road in order to avoid collisions, but it’s equally as important for vehicle drivers to do their part in accident prevention as well. To help keep the roads safe, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has provided some tips. Follow traffic laws. Drive the speed limit and use turn signals to help cyclists anticipate your next move. Driving the speed limit helps ensure that you can stop quickly if needed, which could save the lives of both cyclists and drivers. Drive with respect.
Be mindful and patient while on the road. Aggressive drivers often create dangerous scenarios for cyclists. Prevent collisions at intersections. Bicyclists have the same right of way rights as drivers at intersections, so drivers
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