As National Bicycle Safety Month in May kicks the riding season into gear, the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is reminding riders and drivers that everyone shares the responsibility of sharing the road safely.
Remember, bicyclists are some of the most vulnerable roadway users. Preliminary numbers compiled by the Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research show more than 6,100 bicycle crashes and 38 fatalities in 2024 following 8,268 crashes and 52 fatalities in 2023.
“Riding a bike is one of the most enjoyable ways to get outside or to get to work or school,” said NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder, who chairs the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. “But a crash can turn enjoyment into heartbreak in an instant, so we want to help riders and drivers alike prepare to be safe on our roads.”
Tips for bicyclists:
- Ride your bicycle with traffic, not against it.
- Use the shoulder or the bike lane rather than the road whenever it is safe to do so.
- Use hand signals when preparing to make a turn.
- Obey traffic signs and signals.
- Don’t assume a driver has seen you. Establish eye contact or adjust your activity to make sure they are aware of your presence.
- Use a headlight and taillight when riding at night. Use front and rear reflectors, spoke reflectors and pedal reflectors.
- Wear light-colored clothing and add reflective material to increase your visibility at night.
- Use your horn, bell and/or voice to communicate your presence to other drivers sharing the road with you.
- Keep your bicycle’s tires, brakes and safety equipment in good working order.
- Look behind you and all around. The more you observe other vehicles and pedestrians around you the safer you will be.
- Wear a helmet! It’s required for ages 14 and under but beneficial for all.
- Avoid distractions. Don’t bike and use a cellphone.
The DMV offers advice for bicyclists in the driver manual, and GTSC offers bicycle safety information on its website. You can learn about bike rodeos, helmet-fitting events and find educational material and resources.
Tips for drivers:
- Passing bicyclists can be very dangerous. Bicycles sometimes must swerve to avoid obstacles such as a pothole, debris or a car opening a door. If you are too close, you might collide with the bicyclist.
- Bicyclists are also susceptible to wind. Crosswinds may cause a cyclist to swerve into the lane of traffic unexpectedly. Also, when a vehicle drives past a cyclist, the passing vehicle may create a wake that draws the cyclist from their intended path. This could cause the cyclist to suddenly swerve into the traffic lane.
- When you approach a pedestrian or cyclist, don’t assume they are aware of you. If you are approaching from behind, they may not hear you. Whenever possible, slow down and give them some extra room.
- Driving defensively applies not just when you are driving, but also when you are parked. When parked or getting ready to pull out, be aware that bicyclists may come within three to five feet of your door. One technique that can help with this is to Reach, Swivel and Look:
Reach – Use your right hand (not the left hand) to reach for the handle to open the driver’s door.
Swivel – By reaching for the driver’s door handle with your right hand, this will cause your body to turn to the left, and help you look for a bicycle that may be overtaking you.
Look – Look alongside and to the rear of your car to search for hazards.
For more information about GTSC, visit https://trafficsafety.ny.gov.
