Bike and Pedestrian Safety

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Warmer weather means more people are out and about. Whether it’s for health reasons, being more environmentally friendly or simply enjoying the weather, there are more pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and now, even scooter riders on the roads—and drivers need to  watch for them. According to 2018 NHTSA data 6,283 pedestrians died in traffic crashes, 857 bicyclists were killed in collisions with vehicles and 4,985 motorcyclists were killed in traffic accidents.

You might think that pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists are taking extra precautions when they are on the road instead of on a trail, and that may be true for some. However, it’s easy to become distracted. Kids ride their bikes in neighborhoods, not thinking about vehicle traffic (even though their parents remind them constantly). Any bicyclist, pedestrian or motorcyclist could hit something or trip and fall into traffic without warning, and with no exterior means of protection, the potential for injury or death is much higher.

As a driver, you would feel terrible if you injured someone in an accident like this. In addition, you may be held legally liable. To avoid this situation, be extra-alert when driving during warmer seasons. Remember, not all pedestrians and bicyclists will wear brightly-colored or reflective clothing, and they won’t all be paying attention. They can be difficult to see, even in broad daylight. Some motorcyclists even take unnecessary risks by weaving in and out of traffic or riding on just the back wheel with the front wheel up. This type of reckless behavior is dangerous enough on its own, but sometimes it can startle drivers of vehicles—and that can be a lethal combination. Here are some tips  to avoid a terrible accident:

• Before you back up or change lanes, check and double-check your blind spots and always signal.
• Always yield to a pedestrian, bicyclist or scooter rider. (Motorcycle riders will be more likely to know the rules of the road.)
• Don’t drive in bicycle lanes.
• Keep a 4-second following distance behind motorcycles.
• If possible, stay as far away from pedestrian and bicycle lanes as possible.
• Be careful when you open your door.
• Be careful when passing stopped vehicles.

Most of the time, using common sense and awareness will help you keep pedestrians, bicyclists, scooter riders and motorcyclists safe, and if you are in one of these groups—be careful and aware yourself!