Bike and Pedestrian safety

Jenny Holt, Freelance Writer
Cycle Smart, Cycle Safe: Tips and Kit to Make You Safer on the Roads

Cycling is an excellent method of transport for many reasons: it’s healthier for you, better for the environment, and can reduce commute times in cities with heavy traffic.  However, with reported bicycle related injury crashes some of which are fatal, It’s important to make sure that you are cycling safely.  

What Does the Law Say?
It’s your legal obligation under state law to ensure you have a front white light, back red light and back red reflector. You can be fined for not having these - but it’s not some arbitrary decision designed to catch people out.  A common type of bicycle crash is drivers pulling out in front of cyclists at intersections because they didn’t see them. Cyclists are smaller, positioned on the outside of vehicles at the side of the road, and therefore, not as noticeable. You need to make yourself more obvious to other road users, so don’t necessarily stop at the required front and rear lights - add extra lights and bright and reflective clothing.

For as little as $40 you can make yourself seen and safer on the roads.

• Lights: a simple pair of white and red lights can set you back as little as $15. LED lights are ideal for bicycles as they can be a little more expensive, but smaller, and don’t require much power. They provide increasingly more powerful beans, improving cyclist visibility. 
• Helmet: vital to protect your head in case of a collision, a basic helmet will cost you around $25-30, but could save your life. Make sure it fits down on your forehead, just above your eyebrows, snugly around your head without giving you a headache, and the chin straps attach under the chin touching your skin all the way around.
• High Vis: consider adding a high-vis belt or socks to your cycling gear to make you really stand out on the road. Or wear light weight, sun protective shirts in bright neon colors!

How to Cycle More Safely
Unlike driving a car, there’s no license or test for riding a bicycle on the roads. You might not think much of hopping on your bike and setting off down the street, but a little education can go a long way. Make sure you know the laws of the road, and be aware of how to cycle safely and sensibly in traffic.

• Obey traffic signs, signals and lights—and slow approaching intersections, looking all directions before crossing
• Always cycle in the same direction as the traffic on the same side of the road or path or sidewalk
• Ride where you can be seen, but don’t hug the curb too closely. Debris and sand can flatten tires and change your balance.
• Signal clearly to other road users when you are turning, and make eye contact with others at intersections so you know they have seen you.
• When turning left, take the traffic lane as a motor vehicle, still watching as you approach the intersection to be certain motor vehicles see your approach and throughout your turn. Then return back to the right side of the road traveling the same direction as motor vehicle traffic.