Bicycles have been steadily gaining in popularity over the last few years — especially among urban commuters. In fact, Pittsburgh is eighth in the nation when it comes to the number of commuters who travel by bike. This means that commuters in cars and other vehicles need to exercise some care when they see a bike on the road or they approach a bike lane.
Here are some tips that can help drivers share the road with bicyclists a bit more easily:
1. Observe bike lanes carefully.
Many drivers are still unfamiliar with bike lanes. Usually, they’re small lanes marked with a bicycle symbol down the middle and bordered by a white line. You need to treat bike lanes as if they were a lane for another car, as the consequences for driving in a bike lane can be just as serious.
2. Check your blind spot before you turn.
A quick check over your right shoulder before you hang a right will keep you from hitting a cyclist who is in your blind spot. It’s easy to overlook a cyclist on the road and it’s never safe to assume that one’s not approaching.
3. Don’t blow your horn unless you must.
That horn is loud and terrifying when you’re not riding inside a vehicle with the windows up. Take it easy on your horn so that you don’t unnecessarily scare a cyclist. Otherwise, you might cause a wreck.
4. Don’t be a distracted driver.
Keep your phone off. Don’t use a hands-free headset and think that you’re safe, either. No matter what, talking on the phone while you’re driving is distracting.
No matter how hard a cyclist tries to stay safe on the road, accidents can happen that leave you laid up for a very long time. If you or your loved one is in an accident with a motor vehicle while biking, it’s time to find out more about your right to compensation.