There is no doubt that the UK’s roads have seen a huge increase in cyclists over the past decade. It is true that road accidents involving cyclists are steadily dropping, however, over 3,000 cyclists were seriously injured or killed in road accidents in 2015, according to information from the Department of Transport.
While many vehicle owners can be frustrated by cyclists on the road, it is important that you drive in a manner that prevents potentially fatal accidents. Trust A Garage takes a look at what you can do to prevent accidents with cyclists.
Leave a Wide Gap
We are all aware of the frustration of following a cyclist on the road, and generally look to overtake as soon as possible. However, overtaking on a bend or too close to a cyclist can have fatal consequences. In 2016, West Midlands Police launched a campaign using undercover cyclists to catch drivers who overtook too closely, an initiative that highlighted the dangers of close overtaking: people who overtake a bike leaving a space of less than 1.5m, now face prosecution. Whilst the minimum overtaking space is 1.5m, a good general rule is to treat a cyclist as though it was a car, and leave as wide a gap between you and them as possible. If you can’t leave a gap, it’s not safe to overtake.
Be Vigilant at Junctions
The majority of accidents happen when a cyclist is at a junction. At junctions, roundabouts and traffic lights, be vigilant for bikes coming up on your near side, and don’t cut them up. Cyclists, like all road users, should do their best to let you know of their actions. If you are sharing the road with a cyclist, keep an eye on them to see what they plan to do next – they ought to use hand signals to indicate any change of direction. If a cyclist looks over their shoulder behind them, they could be pulling out or turning; slow down and give them space.
Dip Your Headlights
At night, and in limited visibility, treat cyclists as you would a car; if you see a cyclist in front, or oncoming, dim your headlights to allow them to keep visibility.
Make Allowances for Road Conditions
Just like cars, vans and lorries, cyclists are affected by weather and road conditions. If it is wet or icy, or road conditions are poor, allow cyclists extra space, both when following and when overtaking.
Following cyclists can be stressful, particularly if you are in a rush! However, it is important to remember that bikes have as much right to be on the road as vehicles; by respecting each other you can stay safe and keep your insurance premiums down!
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