Only 1 percent of trips taken by United States residents are by bicycle, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But even that low total creates enormous problems for the bicycling set.
In statistics from 2013, the last year available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 490,000 emergency room visits were bicycle-related injuries. More than 900 bicyclists were killed on the roads, and totals from 2010 show the combined costs of fatal and non-fatal crashes totaled $10 billion in lifetime medical and lost productivity costs.
In short, that means bicycling carries a high risk of injury. Sadly, most of it is not because the bicyclist did something wrong. It’s because an automobile driver did something to cause the crash, and because the bicyclist often has only a helmet and their clothing between them and disaster, there’s little protection from some serious issues.
Part of the problem is the profile of the bicycle. Like motorcycles, bicycles present a unique vertical profile that may be hard to see because drivers are not trained to look for something narrow. The other issue is that bicyclists have to share the road with drivers who may not be aware of their right of way. Most bicyclists travel slower than automobiles or trucks, so they wind up being edged out of position on the roadway, which can lead to problems.
Adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 20 and adults age 45 and older have the highest rates of bicycle deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As for non-fatal bicycle accidents, children ages 5 to 14, adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 24 have the highest injury rates, accounting for 52 percent of all bicycle-related injuries treated in United States emergency rooms. Most are male and most occur in an urban area at non-intersection locations.
SOME PROTECTIONS
Bicycling as a means of locomotion is gaining ground in many large cities because urban planners have come to realize that accommodating more automobile traffic is not practical. Thus, bicycle lanes have sprouted, which is great for the environment and ambiance of the city but creates more possibilities for serious injury or death because of the great number of cars and trucks on the crowded roads.
There are some steps bike riders can take to protect themselves and help minimize the risks. Here are a few — some obvious, some that may surprise.
1) Helmets – By not wearing a bicycle helmet, riders put themselves in mortal danger. It can’t be stated more clearly. Helmets reduce the risk of head and brain injuries, and because most accidents occur when a vehicle driver does something unexpected, the chances of a bike rider being caught by surprise and knocked over or ejected from the bicycle are high. The helmet should fit properly for maximum protection. Some locations have laws mandating helmets.
2) Anticipation – Keep in mind that even those wearing a helmet can be injured seriously and sometimes fatally. The first goal is to be aware of road conditions, including other vehicles, and anticipating what can happen. Is that car slowing to make a right turn? Does the driver making a left see the bike? All considerations when navigating on the roadway should be made with the idea that the “other guy” can’t see the bicycle.
3) Lighting – Fluorescent colors are eye-catching and help increase visibility. Wear a light vest that’s orange or yellow over regular bicycle clothing, and make sure it’s light reflective if traveling at dusk or night. It helps if the bicycle has white and red lights, and if they move and flash, all the better.
4) Follow the Law – Riding through stop signs and lights is against the law for bicycles. While that’s not a foolproof way to prevent accidents, it certainly increases the odds in many cases. Cyclists are held to the same road rules as vehicle drivers.
Although those are the top four tips, there are other steps that can be taken to avoid road incidents and accidents. Here are a few more:
5) Wave at the driver – If eye contact is not possible, move your arm to get their attention. This helps because most drivers are looking for a horizontal profile.
6) Get a loud horn – There are air horns and other blasters that can let drivers know a bicyclist is in the area. A bell is nice, but most are too low frequency to cut through the radio or rolled-up windows. If a bicyclist has to use a horn, it should be loud enough to be heard.
7) Ride to the left – This seems counter-intuitive because most riders are worried about being hit from behind. But it has several benefits, including being able to avoid door openings (which is a leading cause of cyclist accidents) or cars emerging from driveways or parking spots. Most are looking for a horizontal profile and can miss a cyclist who rides too close to the curb.
8) Slow down – Bicyclists who are uncertain of a vehicle’s position should be able to stop. It’s not fun and may be inconvenient, but it can save a life. Statistics have shown that bicyclists are far more likely to be hit by oncoming or turning vehicles than from behind.
9) Don’t ride against traffic – This may seem like a good way to avoid traffic because it is directly in the bicyclist’s field of vision. But cars pulling out of driveways or side streets are not looking for traffic coming from the right, and oncoming traffic also is not looking for cyclists coming directly at them. One study has shown that riding into oncoming traffic may be three times more dangerous than going with the flow.
10) Ride as if invisible – Don’t think that drivers can see you. If you react to them as though you are invisible, you’ll usually be right and can avoid bad decisions that motorized vehicle drivers can make.
Bicycling is becoming more and more popular in urban areas, so it’s a great time to brush up on tips that can help keep riders alive. No one rides a bicycle looking for trouble, but it’s a good habit to anticipate that the other vehicles on the road are dangerous. That’s the best tip any cyclist can take to heart.
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