Trucks are a big concern as a cyclist. While you may find routes available that allow you to avoid them much of the time, sometimes sharing the road with them is necessary.
It’s best to assume that you are invisible to them, even though the truck drivers should be looking out for you. Don’t sit alongside them. Don’t sneak up the inside lane or nip in front of a truck while the driver waits for the lights to change. Also, think about routes that could help you avoid them as much as possible.
What other groups of people can do
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has taken some steps to reduce the danger trucks present to those on bicycles, such as mandating underride guards. They’ve also proposed other measures, such as mandating advanced driver assistance systems to help drivers notice cyclists they overlook. They could still do much more.
Truck owners can install such things themselves or choose vehicles that already have them. They can also monitor their drivers to reduce the chance they cause an accident because they are drunk, drugged or distracted. Once again, there is technology available to help with it. They can also ensure they don’t pressure drivers to drive without sufficient rest or sleep.
Truck drivers can remember to keep a constant eye out for cyclists. They should also monitor their own need to rest and resist distractions or pressure to drive when they shouldn’t.
Local authorities can improve cyclist safety through better road design. For example:
- Offering routes that allow cyclists to more conveniently avoid streets popular with big trucks
- Using barriers to separate cycle lanes from the other lanes
- Taking measures to lower the speed trucks travel, especially in populous areas.
Keeping cyclists safe from trucks is a team effort, and an injured cyclist may be entitled to hold more than one party responsible if a collision does occur.
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