Road safety associations and insurers Prevention launched Friday a communication campaign on cyclist safety in the city. The associations have identified five dangerous situations in which bicycles are frequently found and give advice detailed as below.
- Dangerous situation # 1: pass a truck or bus
This happens frequently at red lights. Problem: the blind spots of trucks are wider than the cars and the “time to move beyond” the longest vehicle. Therefore is more dangerous. Another trap: to turn right, heavyweights such as buses are forced to veer more to the left to get their rear axle. So cyclists think they have space. But the vehicle pass may pinch or crush very quickly.
The Board of Prevention: stay behind the truck when he was arrested.
- Dangerous situation # 2: cross an intersection when one takes priority without looking
When it is a priority at an intersection, the cyclist is overconfident and do not pay attention to other vehicles. “Yet it is very visible,” do you remember the Road Safety.
The Board of Prevention: slow down and try to meet the eyes of the driver who arrives from a side street
- Dangerous situation number 3: ride at night without being visible
Many bike rides at night without the reflective tape and safety vest, mandatory, are fixed on the bike. It must however oranges on wheels and pedals, white in front of the bike, red at the rear. It also requires that the bike has a white or yellow light in front, red at the rear.
The Board of Prevention: although it may seem like a detail, to ensure that the bike has these protective elements. Wear yellow reflective vest is also recommended.
- Dangerous situation number 4: ignore red lights
A number of cyclists often turn red, especially when they want to turn right. This is possible since 2010, but only when the triangular panel reports. Otherwise refrain.
The Board of Prevention: Follow the rules!
- Dangerous situation Number 5: drive along parked cars
The risk for the cyclist is obviously to knock on a door opens suddenly. Or, best of all, a car that, without warning, enter the roadway.
The Board of Prevention: Finding the balance between rides too close to parked cars and driving on left. Do as well attention to clues: Does there’s people in the vehicle? Are the wheels turned? Does the motor run?