Drivers and Cyclist

The statistics of the number of cyclists injured or killed on the road can paint a devastating mental picture. In 2013, 109 cyclists cost their lives, 3,143 were seriously injured, and 16,186 were slightly injured. Even worse, 25% of those injured were children. Sadly these cannot be changed, however, knowing how to respond best to cyclists on the road can help to reduce the number of injuries on the road.

Cyclist needs Space

The most important rule to remember is giving cyclists as much room as physically possible without risking your safety or the safety of other road users. You should be aware that:

• cyclists riding on uneven roads may swerve out to avoid potholes.
• They may give parked cars extra room in case they suddenly open their doors, therefore avoid trying to force your way through if the road is narrow
• They may be planning to turn or move to the other side of the road, so look out for any signs such as them looking over their shoulder or arm signals.
• Strong winds affect cyclists far more than any vehicle, by impacting their steering, vision and general control. Therefore, extra caution should be given when trying to pass them during these weather conditions

Places to be extra careful

There are certain hotspots where it’s especially dangerous to for cyclists, therefore drivers should take extra care. The first being emerging from a junction, as a cyclist could be hidden by turning vehicles or emerge from your blind spot. Approaching a junction is equally dangerous, as cyclists have less control at lower speeds. Therefore, they’re more likely to swerve side to side and this should be anticipated by drivers.  The second place is at roundabouts when a cyclist is alongside you or looking to change lanes in front of you.  Another final place is on a narrow road as there are usually parked cars, reducing the space for vehicles and cyclists. Furthermore, these roads rarely have cycle lanes. Meaningless space for you to overtake and increasing the risk of getting too close.

Sharing the Road with Cyclists

Always remember to use your indicators. This benefits all road users, but especially cyclists. As they will not be able to infer your intentions from your road position alone, therefore signalling can greatly help them understand what your vehicle is planning on doing. It’s often extremely difficult to see cyclists, especially in awkward positions such as out of junctions, making their way around a roundabout, overtaking you or filtering through traffic. You should always look out for them before you emerge out of a junction, you may misjudge their speed and they could be approaching faster than you think.

Overtaking Cyclist

When overtaking cyclists, it’s important to give them the most room possible. The Highway Code (rule 163) says to give them the same amount of room you’d give a car. This may seem excessive, however, they often do not travel in straight lines and could be swerving due to the road surface or weather conditions. If there isn’t enough room to pass them safely, do not attempt to overtake. Cyclists retain the right to “take the road” and move to the centre of the road if they believe there isn’t enough room to overtake.

No Protection

With no cover or method to protect themselves, cyclists are far more exposed to the elements than drivers. Therefore, never drive too close to them as they can be very unpredictable. Always check for cyclists passing you before you open your car door. Some traffic lights have advanced stop lines to allow cyclists to get to the front of traffic and increase their visibility. If the lights red or amber, you should stop at the first line you reach and give cyclists time and space to move off when the lights turn green.

In conclusion, drivers must have cyclists in consideration whilst driving. As long you remember to give them plenty of room, take extra caution when overtaking, and remember they’re in a vulnerable position, you’ll be in a good place to reduce the number of collisions with cyclists on the road. Try attempt to put these tips into practice and hopefully feel more confident when you next approach a cyclist.