Study: Cyclists more apt to be hit from behind
By Paul Rauber, Sierra
A major study by the League of American Bicyclists finds that the most likely type of fatal bicycle crash is “motorist overtaking bicycle” — that is, being struck from behind.
Such collisions account for 40 percent of cyclist fatalities — far more than the T-bone (10 percent), head-on (8 percent), or right hook (6 percent).
The most likely reason is that the driver was texting/Web browsing/eating/talking on the phone: 42 percent of drivers involved in fatal collisions with cyclists (in cases where driver behavior was noted) were “reported to be operating their vehicle in a careless or inattentive manner.”
The League of American Bicyclists researched as many of the 726 cyclist deaths in 2012 as they could, mostly through reports from newspapers, TV, and blogs; they were able to find information in three quarters of the cases.
Please wear bright colors and have lights at night. I passed a cyclist today that blended in completely with the forest on the side of the road. Older drivers and younger ones as well may not see someone who has no outstanding color. Don’t make it a challenge for drivers to see you!
Agreed! The more obnoxious my garb, the more likely I will be seen!
The environment on the road has changed. I no longer ride my road bike on busy roads. Drivers are distracted by their phones. Period.
I love my mountain bike.
Captioned photo shows a cyclist riding against traffic which is what was taught when I was a kid back in the 50s. At some point, laws were changed to now ride with traffic. According to this article, 40% of fatalities were hit from behind, 23% were hit head on. Seems to indicate to me that the old way was actually the safer way. At least a cyclist has an opportunity to avoid a collision if he/she sees a car coming toward them.
That’s right Dan back in the (good old days) we were taught to ride our bikes against the traffic so you could who was going to try and hit you when did that law change? Well you can see how long it’s been since I rode a bike But it makes more sence to see what’s coming at you and not fear that someone is going to hit you from the back
What the hell has happened to common sence today?
kidding’s comment highlights the inherent problem of democracy
One reason we ride with the traffic is so that when drivers are turning right onto the roadway from a driveway or cross street we can be seen. Typically drivers making a right turn only look left since that is where the oncoming traffic is coming from, of course drivers should also look left for pedestrians, but most do not look both ways. Additionally, in California where bicycle use on the road way is under the vehicle code (the 20212 section if I remember correctly) the rules for cyclists are mostly the same as cars. Nevada has a separate code for bicycles but it very closely mirrors the rules for cars. One of the biggest differences between cars and bikes is that a cyclist can become a pedestrian at any time by simply walking their bike and therefore gain the right of way that pedestrians have. There is much education needed by both cyclists and drivers, there plenty of examples of individuals doing lame things behind the wheel or behind the handlebars. What I think would make a positive change is to remember that all users of the roadway have a responsibility to be attentive and respectful.
I had a kid on a bike with no helmet and wearing earphones ride across hwy 50 traffic between stop lights with a very small margin of space between cars. I about had a heart attack as I narrowly missed hitting him from behind. So many bicycle riders do so irresponsably.