Because bicycles are smaller than cars and bicyclists lack metal cages surrounding them in the event of a crash, cyclists are much more likely to be seriously injured or killed when colliding with a vehicle. Evidence for this comes from a recent incident in which the third bicyclist this year in Sarasota and Manatee Counties was killed by a negligent driver.
It is important that we attempt to prevent these types of accidents in our community. For this reason, it is essential that drivers of cars and bicyclists alike maintain awareness of their surroundings when sharing the road.
There are several ways in which we can reduce these types of fatal crashes from happening. Drivers can do the following:
- Be alert
- Maintain awareness
- Have patience when approaching bicycles
- Pass cyclists only when it is safe to do so
- Use common sense
- Follow the rules of the road
Bicyclists can do the following:
- Be visible with bright clothing and proper lights
- Wear a properly fitting bicycle helmet
- Ride with traffic and not against it
- Use bicycle-friendly routes
- Avoid roads with speeds over 40 miles per hour
- Obey traffic laws
- Be attentive
Florida is a popular destination for tourists due to our nice weather. As a consequence, there are more bicycle accidents here than in northern states, because many locals and tourists alike decide to travel by bicycle year-round. In order to keep cyclists safe and prevent more fatal bike crashes from occurring, we encourage all motorists to follow these tips and maintain awareness of their surroundings.
Do you find these tips useful? Share them with your friends on social media to help keep everyone safe!