Bike Accident Prevention Tips for Cyclists: Ways to Avoid a Bicycle Accident #roadcycingtips

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In this video attorney Jim Dodson, (aka The Florida Bike Guy) talks about bike accident prevention tips. He talks about important things that cyclists can do on their bike that will decrease the chances of a bike accident.

1) Wear Cycling Gear that is Highly Visible & Use Bright Flashing Lights
This is the first thing that cyclists can do everyday before they start a ride. Simply put on something that you know is visible to drivers. Remember, drivers are cruising down the road, thinking about 15 things beside watching for you. Which is why cyclists need to make sure to capture their attention when they glance up. You need to be in their field of view and they need to recognize that you're a cyclist, so they avoid hitting you. Be sure to wear high visibility clothing. Jim usually wears high visibility fluorescent yellow. His helmet and his jersey are both fluorescent yellow. He also recommends high visibility on your legs and ankles, especially on the ankles and around the feet.

Use a bright white, flashing light on the front of your bike and a bright red pulsing, flashing light on the rear and use them both day and night. Clearly you would never ride without one at night, it's illegal, but during the daytime they're not required, but they are very highly recommended.

2) Lane Position
Lane position is very critical. If you have a bike lane, of course in Florida we're required to ride in the bike lane. But Jim prefaces this by saying every cyclist has a responsibility to make the decision for their place on the road, which is safest for them at the time and under those conditions. Cyclists have the right to take the lane if there is no bike lane and they are riding on a substandard road, meaning that it is less than 14 feet wide.

3) Signal Every Move
If you're in a group ride, this is mandatory. Using hand signals is extremely important in a group ride, but also very important to drivers. Jim is very demonstrative when he rides and will point to a position where he's going. You want to be as predictable as possible so the drivers know what you're doing next. So signal every move, be clear with your signaling be timely with your signaling, don't be bashful about it, be demonstrative.

4) Avoid Arterial Roads Whenever Possible
Arterial roads are those that are, are moving high volumes of traffic generally through commercial areas. The problem with these roads are that they have many commercial centers and opportunities for cars to turn in or drivers to pull out. They create a tremendous number of contact points between you and a driver.

5) Never Assume the Driver Sees You
Attorney Jim Dodson has cases all the time of miscommunication between the cyclist and driver. The cyclist thinks the car is stopping for him and goes, but the car goes. Don't always assume because you're in a place to be seen, that the driver sees you or if their at a stop sign or light don't assume they are going to stop. Just assume that you need to communicate clearly what you're doing.

6) Ride with a Mirror
Jim feels it's necessary to ride with a mirror when you're riding in a group because you need to see who's coming up beside you. The least likely way that you're going to get hurt on your bike is from a car approaching from the rear. But he feels much more comfortable personally, riding with a mirror because he wants to know what's coming up from behind.

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