Riding in traffic safely
From Envirowiki
Bike Safety for Big Kids – A Parent’s Guide (also useful for all adults)
Some parents are afraid to allow their children ride to school, stores or other places because there are so many fast cars on the roads. However, car-bike crashes are rare -- only about one crash in six involves motor vehicles[reference needed] (Most are falls or collisions with fixed objects, like trees). Cycling is safer than you may think. But we can do much better. The crash rate for experienced cyclists’ is 4-5 times lower than the average. We all need to learn from these experts. We must teach children how to avoid accidents – especially the kinds that endanger them most.
Contents |
[edit] 1 the Basics
[edit] 1.1 Teach your children to follow the standard rules of the road
ride on the left (or right, depending on your country), obey stop signs, signal and give way before making turns, etc. These rules allow traffic to flow smoothly so people can get where they want to go quickly and safely. Remember to always set a good example yourself.
[edit] 1.2 Avoid Driveway and Intersection Dangers
The most frequent cause of car-bike accidents to young children is called “driveway rideout”.Kids must learn to stop at the end of the driveway and look left, right, left to see if it is safe to enter the street. The next most common accident is caused by not giving way at intersections.
[edit] 1.3 Helmets
A helmet will not prevent a bike crash but it is good, cheap insurance that may allow you or your child to walk away from one. Check to ensure the helmet fits and is adjusted properly. Please set a good example – always wear a helmet when you ride.
[edit] 1.4 Bicycle Inspection
Teach your child to make a quick check before each ride to see if the bike is fit for use. You should occasionally make a more through safety check. A bike is not a toy. It is your child’s first vehicle.
[edit] 2 Beyond the Basics
We parents need to teach our own children. This means we must know enough about cycling to teach correct techniques. Beware that many of the things we were all taught as kids are wrong and some are dangerous. Compare how society teaches cycling with swimming. Qualified water safety instructors must first be competent swimmers, and then they take classes and pass certification exams. What are the qualifications of the people that teach your kids “bicycle safety”? Are they cyclists themselves? Have these teachers themselves taken cycling instruction? If not, watch out!
A common misconception or superstition about cycling is the extent and source of danger. Many people believe there is great danger in getting run down by cars passing from behind. Cars are fast and noisy and we cannot see them coming, so the fear is natural. But it is mistaken. These accidents represent less than 0.5% percent of urban, daylight accidents to cyclists[reference needed] (In rural areas, the ratio is slightly higher and unlighted cyclists and drunk drivers make such accidents much more common at night). About 90% of car-bike collisions involve turning and crossing traffic[reference needed] (Just like car crashes). Most of the rest are caused by wrong way riders or by swerving in front of traffic.
Most dangers are right in front of you where you can see and avoid them if you are aware. Some people are taught to ride on the wrong side of the road so they can “see traffic coming”. This is illegal and dangerous. The accident rate for wrong-way cyclists is about 3½ times as high as for cycling properly. Pedestrians walk facing traffic so they can sidestep off the road if necessary. But you cannot sidestep on a bike. Many people think that the sidewalk is a safe place to ride. However, accident studies show that riding on sidewalks has about 2 to 10 times the accident risk as proper cycling on the road[reference needed]. Because motorists do not look for fast traffic on the sidewalk, sidewalk cyclists are in danger at every road crossing and even at every driveway. Also, mixing pedestrians and cyclists is dangerous to both. With proper training, by age 12, responsible children should be ready to ride almost anywhere, except on freeways.
Note: in australia, it's also illegal to ride on the footpath if you're over twelve. stupid laws.
[edit] 3 Defensive riding
The Road Rules allow safe and efficient travel for all users of the roads. Those who make up their own rules are in great danger while cyclists who act predictably are much safer. Cyclists must be able to look behind and give way to traffic before turning or changing lanes (especially to the right). They must develop the skill to look back while riding straight, without swerving. It takes practice to master the skill. Do this with your kids.
Another skill is the “rock dodge”. A soft sponge makes a safe “rock” for practice. The trick is to twitch the handlebars quickly to one side then back so the wheels miss the “rock” while the bike barely changes course. Beginners usually “hug the curb” and then wonder why cars pass so close. Experienced cyclists let traffic pass when they can but they “use the full lane” when needed for safety. It takes practice to learn lane positioning. Get tips from an expert or find information on the web. Some roads are easier for cycling than others.
Crossing major roads can be a problem. A road with a wide curb lane allows space for cars to pass without conflicts. A narrow, multi-lane road is good if the cyclist “takes the outside lane”. A narrow 2-lane road with heavy traffic is stressful even for experts because the road is inadequate for the traffic. A very dangerous but common bicycle mistake is riding without lights in the dark. About 30% of serious cycling causalities occur at night although only about 4 % of cycling is done then. The reflectors that come with new bikes are grossly inadequate for safety. Always use a headlight and taillight if you or your children ride in the dark.
Cyclists who follow Safety Cycling techniques have an accident rate only 20- 25 percent of the average. Children who can bike safely get healthy exercise and they have less need of “Mom’s Taxi”. There is another benefit: Children who are taught to be safe bicycle drivers eventually become safer car drivers. Remember the bike is not a toy. It is your child’s first vehicle.
