As a cyclist, you bear an equal share of the burden of remaining safe. As such, knowing the most common places cyclists and vehicles collide may help you get into the healthy routine of remaining even more diligent in these locations.
While a collision can happen anywhere, these locales play frequent host to incidents where a vehicle and a bicyclist may come into contact and leave you with significant injuries to overcome.
City streets
Whether you ride a short distance to work every day or prefer longer fitness rides through the city on weekends, urban streets are popular places for bicycle accidents. Not only do you have to contend with moving vehicles, but parked cars can become a source of injury as well. Dooring is a real threat in cities and can happen when riding close to a car where a passenger or driver opens a door without knowing you are there. The ensuing collision with the door may send you over the bike and into traffic.
Intersections
A corner crossing may come with a high price for cyclists, especially if there is no traffic signal or traffic control device stopping one direction of traffic or the other. To remain safe at intersections, always bike defensively, and make sure that you use your arm to signal what move you intend to make. In the evening, it is crucial that you wear reflective clothing, utilize a bicycle light and proceed through intersections with extreme caution.
Biking can not only conserve resources, but it can also help you burn off energy and stay healthy. Stay safe and always keep your senses on high alert to avoid accidents with moving or parked vehicles.